Most durable centerfire repeating handgun

A well made gun is going to last a looong time. The Ruger and Smith revolvers....a very looong time. Glocks.....gets silly after a while. Colt.....ditto.
Myself...I have a Colt GC that is approaching 100k with no repairs. I expect it will outlive me.

The Bullet Hole in OP, KS had a GP100 in 38 special that had over 300,000 rounds through it. It was a range rental. I rented it one day and It was still tight and very accurate.

There are pre model 10''s out there with 300,000 plus rounds through them. They might have had the hand or cylinder stop replaced to help the timing but if semi-auto springs are wear items? Then, so is a hand in a revolver.

WrongHanded said:

I did think it was available in US. But I had no idea it was a blow back design. Interesting that they did that for the G25, but not with the G42. Slide weight I suppose.

Click to expand...

G25 and 28 made for the South American(mostly) market where the 380 is the biggest caliber that can be owned. G25 is G19 size and G28 is G26 size(may have that backwards) but pretty sure, slide weight and using a 380 cartridge=blowback.
In the FBI 'formula', that says what handguns can be imported and what can't..G25/28 falls just short. Glock 'could' make them in the US(like G42) but that doesn't make much sense, IMHO..

cluttonfred said:

Manurhin MR 73 revolver, which used to be the standard weapon of the French GIGN. Design brief was an extremely accurate and utterly reliable .357 Magnum combat revolver able to stand up to 150 rounds of full-power ammunition in range practice. Daily. Indefinitely. I'll let Gun Jesus tell the whole story.

Click to expand...

I had a MR73, granted it was a police turn in, but it was sort of loose and I'm not sure the timing was right. I would bet the new Python would last a long time. Sort of an irrelevant question as most shooters won't come close to wearing out a gun, I read once the average handgun shooter fires 500 rounds during their ownership. Look at all the NIB and LNIB guns for sale.

I don’t know if I can post a link to another forum here, but if you Google “high round count pistols 100,000 AR15.com”, you should find a link to a thread on the AR15.com forum.

the guy who started the thread is the owner of Battlefield Las Vegas, a high end rental only gun range in Vegas. He has a few other threads on other topics including optics and rifles.

he answers a LOT of questions and the threads are a great read with Excellent info throughout the thread:

From the first post:

“
Posted: 5/25/2015 1:37:09 PM EDT

Hi folks,

I have been answering questions for the AK guys for about two weeks now regarding AK's with 100,000+ rounds and what type of issues we see. Well, we have pistols that have over 100,000 rounds and I can provide a little info.

The background for the high round count is that we are rental-only range one block off the Las Vegas Strip (called Battlefield Vegas) and after all the talk about AK's, I completely spaced on the reliability of the pistols we use on the line everyday of the year except for Christmas. We go through approximately 150,000-180,000 rounds combined of 9mm, .45, .50AE, .500S&W, .38 Special, .380 and 9mm Makarov each month. I don't count .22 because even though we go through 1,000's of rounds, it's not in the same class as our standard calibers.

I can tell you that even though I am not a "Glock guy", it is the most reliable handgun in our inventory and I would trust it with my life. We use Gen1-Gen4 17's on the line and they are the most hassle-free handgun we have. I used my original Gen1 17 when we first opened two and a half years ago and it finally broke about six months ago. When I say broke, Glock's pretty much are the only handgun that suffer a "catastrophic" break. The slide cracks right at the narrow portion at the ejection port. They will continue to fire most of the time but the rounds group at the top right corner of the target. The factory recoil springs are amazing because the just keep going. The Glock gets used probably 10X as much as our Beretta M92's so it's not a fair to say the Beretta is more reliable (see below). We don't use aftermarket slides on our Glocks so I couldn't give you any info those because Glock will replace our cracked slides under warranty. Also, I don't meant to give the impression that breake slides all the time but it would be fair to say that they get at least 100,000 rounds before cracking.

My personal favorite, the Sig P226 doesn't fair as well. We go through more recoil springs in our 226's than any other weapon system combined. We've yet to break a slide but they will not function with a broken recoil spring.

Our Desert Eagle .50AE's run pretty reliable but the part that fails the most is the piston. We always have a few spares in the shop.

Our Beretta M92's...the one that all the RSO's hate, also hold up very well. In the last two years with the same four Beretta's, we've only replaced one barrel and "locking piece" that sits under the barrel. The M92 is only included in one package that we offer or the customer has to request that pistol specifically. It doesn't get run nearly as hard as the 1911's, Glock's or Sig's.

I will get more info on our 1911's (we use Sig, Springfield and Armscor) and I know I see them tagged for repair more often than the other pistols. I will find out what is the most common issue.

V/R
Ron M Cheney”

Buzznrose said:

I don’t know if I can post a link to another forum here, but if you Google “high round count pistols 100,000 AR15.com”, you should find a link to a thread on the AR15.com forum.

the guy who started the thread is the owner of Battlefield Las Vegas, a high end rental only gun range in Vegas. He has a few other threads on other topics including optics and rifles.

he answers a LOT of questions and the threads are a great read with Excellent info throughout the thread:

From the first post:

“
Posted: 5/25/2015 1:37:09 PM EDT

Hi folks,

I have been answering questions for the AK guys for about two weeks now regarding AK's with 100,000+ rounds and what type of issues we see. Well, we have pistols that have over 100,000 rounds and I can provide a little info.

The background for the high round count is that we are rental-only range one block off the Las Vegas Strip (called Battlefield Vegas) and after all the talk about AK's, I completely spaced on the reliability of the pistols we use on the line everyday of the year except for Christmas. We go through approximately 150,000-180,000 rounds combined of 9mm, .45, .50AE, .500S&W, .38 Special, .380 and 9mm Makarov each month. I don't count .22 because even though we go through 1,000's of rounds, it's not in the same class as our standard calibers.

I can tell you that even though I am not a "Glock guy", it is the most reliable handgun in our inventory and I would trust it with my life. We use Gen1-Gen4 17's on the line and they are the most hassle-free handgun we have. I used my original Gen1 17 when we first opened two and a half years ago and it finally broke about six months ago. When I say broke, Glock's pretty much are the only handgun that suffer a "catastrophic" break. The slide cracks right at the narrow portion at the ejection port. They will continue to fire most of the time but the rounds group at the top right corner of the target. The factory recoil springs are amazing because the just keep going. The Glock gets used probably 10X as much as our Beretta M92's so it's not a fair to say the Beretta is more reliable (see below). We don't use aftermarket slides on our Glocks so I couldn't give you any info those because Glock will replace our cracked slides under warranty. Also, I don't meant to give the impression that breake slides all the time but it would be fair to say that they get at least 100,000 rounds before cracking.

My personal favorite, the Sig P226 doesn't fair as well. We go through more recoil springs in our 226's than any other weapon system combined. We've yet to break a slide but they will not function with a broken recoil spring.

Our Desert Eagle .50AE's run pretty reliable but the part that fails the most is the piston. We always have a few spares in the shop.

Our Beretta M92's...the one that all the RSO's hate, also hold up very well. In the last two years with the same four Beretta's, we've only replaced one barrel and "locking piece" that sits under the barrel. The M92 is only included in one package that we offer or the customer has to request that pistol specifically. It doesn't get run nearly as hard as the 1911's, Glock's or Sig's.

I will get more info on our 1911's (we use Sig, Springfield and Armscor) and I know I see them tagged for repair more often than the other pistols. I will find out what is the most common issue.

V/R
Ron M Cheney”

Click to expand...

If anyone is going to wear out a firearm, it will be Battlefield Vegas. The owner has made many posts on AR15.com about high round counts on all kinds of firearms. Yes the posts are usually 30+ pages but worth the time to read.

One of my Mauser pistols (Model 1914, 32acp) was accepted for German Imperial Service during World War One. It has obviously been shot a fair amount, according to the internal and external wear. I got it from a pawn shop that didn't really know what it was. I put new springs in it just because. It functions perfectly.

The various owners have not managed to wear this pistol out since World War One. As a man in his 50's who tries to go shooting every couple of weeks, I seriously doubt I am going to wear out any newish pistols during the rest of my lifetime. Maybe if I concentrate shooting the Mauser and the Military & Police (from the same year) on every range trip I can maybe get a part to wear out before I do. I don't think there's much hope of that on mildly worn pistols like my LE turn-in Glock, my newish 45 "convertible" Blackhawk, the Star Super B I got LNiB, etc. My kids will have to wear those ones out after I am gone.

All three of these handguns are from 1915-16. I replaced the Mauser's springs. I haven't done anything to the Military & Police ("pre Model 10") - the finish is gone and it's a little bit loose, but it shoots fine and doesn't spit lead. The 32 S&W long, a "Hand Ejector" i-frame is still pretty tight and shoots as well as the tiny sights allow (I haven't done anything to it, either).

Does durable mean NO parts replaced including recoil or other springs and parts ?
or
Must be used in factory sold condition.

I would say from a mechanical standpoint, a Glock is hard to beat as far as an unbreakable sewing machine.

I would say from a structural durability (knocks, dings, falls, shoots even when loosey goosey) standpoint, its hard to argue with the old Colt 1911s in terms of track record.

A Single action Ruger Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk/Vaquero will rule this particular game. Hands down.

Varminterror said:

A Single action Ruger Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk/Vaquero will rule this particular game. Hands down.

Click to expand...

Yup, but keep the screws tight or have a replacement screw kit...don't ask how I know...

FFGColorado said:

Yup, but keep the screws tight or have a replacement screw kit...don't ask how I know...

Click to expand...

Which screw came loose? There’s only one screw in a New Model Ruger which serves to sustain action function. Out of the 5-7 screws present in the New Models - 5 grip screws and two rear sight screws - really only 3 grip screws are needed to properly secure the grip frame and the ONE hammer pin retaining screw is the ONE screw which supports the action function. Old Model 3 screws, sure, but they’re a long time discontinued - nearly half a century.

As a LE firearms instructor for decades, now retired, I have seen numerous instances of low round count Glocks having major issues: locking blocks shearing off, recoil spring guide rods snapping, various pins snapping or falling out, sights flying off, etc. They are well made good guns, but far from perfect.

The only hand guns that I am aware have been tested to EXTREMES are the glocks. They did quit well, but that said we had to replace ALL of the frames on our 22's in 04. We went to the S&W 5906's in 88 and we took two guns out of the first shipment and just cleaned and lubed them and used them as range guns. The intent was to shoot them until they 'stopped'. We kept records on them and the first one was a 7,000+ when a shooter who was not aware of the 'test' inadvertently cleaned it. The other went 10,000+ when another shooter inadvertently cleaned it. What I tell my students is, 'if you buy any of the first quality handguns in production today, assuming you don't get a 'lemon', it will out last you and probably your children. They are ALL machines thus subject to failure.

I think a round for round shoot off between the: Ruger Redhawk 357mag 8 shot & Smith and Wesson 627 357mag 8 shot.

It would be cool to see how many rounds before they stopped!

It is hard to separate the many myths from the truth. When I see things like recoil springs etc lasting 100,00 rds etc. you really stop focusing about what the internet says. I go by my own judgement. Break guns down and look at the build quality. Some are actually over built to a degree. I have a Black Hawk. I am guessing that by the looks alone it would go for a long time. But then again just guessing.

Jim Rau said:

The only hand guns that I am aware have been tested to EXTREMES are the glocks. They did quit well, but that said we had to replace ALL of the frames on our 22's in 04. We went to the S&W 5906's in 88 and we took two guns out of the first shipment and just cleaned and lubed them and used them as range guns. The intent was to shoot them until they 'stopped'. We kept records on them and the first one was a 7,000+ when a shooter who was not aware of the 'test' inadvertently cleaned it. The other went 10,000+ when another shooter inadvertently cleaned it. What I tell my students is, 'if you buy any of the first quality handguns in production today, assuming you don't get a 'lemon', it will out last you and probably your children. They are ALL machines thus subject to failure.

Click to expand...

https://defensemaven.io/warriormave...r-p226-what-does-it-do-KWSNbV-060ukEroJBReEcw

It is interesting, that as we bemoan the lack of craftsmanship, and the overuse of plastics and MIM, did Smith/Ruger/Colt do 100,000 round tests of their older stuff? Did anyone? I'm not saying a new 9mm M&P will stand up to use like the original M&P (pre model 10), but it isn't fragile. From what I'm reading here, whatever design is the "most reliable" we seem to be looking at fractional differences of really awesome.

Durable is an odd word for the question as intended. Seems the whole intent is rounds fired without breakage, and I wouldn't consider that durability.

MCFLYFYTER said:

Durable is an odd word for the question as intended. Seems the whole intent is rounds fired without breakage, and I wouldn't consider that durability.

Click to expand...

My concern regarding the Glocks is the long-term viability of the polymer frame. This goes for any polymer frame.

Sure, you can shoot the heck out of them, and sure, there have been advances made in the plastics field. But we've yet to see how the frame holds up over time. You take a good steel pistol, on the other hand, and keep it from rusting, and you're looking at total functionality a century later.
I'd be a bit afraid that if you do that with a polymer frame, you might get frame failure.

lsudave said:

sure, there have been advances made in the plastics field. But we've yet to see how the frame holds up over time.

Click to expand...

Patently false.

Steel and alloy frames crack with use too. You just don’t see people pointing it out as often or in the same way as the Fudd’s pointing at fatigue failures in polymer pistols. Folks trying to justify their unsubstantiated biases for metal frames will ignore reality and point at LESSER rates of failure in polymer guns as if were pandemic.

Varminterror said:

Which screw came loose? There’s only one screw in a New Model Ruger which serves to sustain action function. Out of the 5-7 screws present in the New Models - 5 grip screws and two rear sight screws - really only 3 grip screws are needed to properly secure the grip frame and the ONE hammer pin retaining screw is the ONE screw which supports the action function. Old Model 3 screws, sure, but they’re a long time discontinued - nearly half a century.

Click to expand...

Really just my experience with my first SA revolver that lost the cylinder pin screw after the first time I shot it..then got a wee screw driver out and saw how many were loose.

FFGColorado said:

Really just my experience with my first SA revolver that lost the cylinder pin screw after the first time I shot it..then got a wee screw driver out and saw how many were loose.

Click to expand...

A Ruger Single Action cylinder pin screw... must have been a new 454 or 480 with the locking base pin? Since none of the others have such a screw.

Varminterror said:

A Ruger Single Action cylinder pin screw... must have been a new 454 or 480 with the locking base pin? Since none of the others have such a screw.

Click to expand...

Wasn't a Ruger at all but a Uberti/Beretta Thunderer..I looked at a picture of the Vaqueros and they look like pins(?)..not screw heads. My Ruger Wrangler has quite a few (actually Torx) screws also. Just for info for others that may be new to a revolver that has screws..need to keep 'em tight.