1 thousand, 2 thousand, 3 thousand MORE???

[USMCDK]

I have been wondering something and forgive me if this doesn't come out right at first. I will do my best to explain it better along the way.

I hear people talk about just how many rounds they put through their weapons and some time I see people say to some one 200rds during a shooting session is nothing (out of one gun mind you.) For some this is very well true 200 is nothing compared to 1k (also for some) now the thing that gets me is... Alot of guns are tested for reliability up to so many rounds. Like H&K for instance they do an endurance test of 30k+ rounds. Now I don't know what happens to the weapon after that I am sure that it has some problems like with the springs or other little parts on the inside.

So I guess the thing that I am trying to get at is... Aren't you shooters (the ones that shoot off 1k+ rounds a shooting session, out of one gun mind you) kinda worried that you are quickly running down the life expectancy of your firearm???

Call me silly but I have been pondering this for a while now.

Sincerely and Respectfully (S&R),

USMCDK

 

[wideym]

The only time I fired 1k or more out of a single weapon in one day was a M240B, and that was during an attack. Of course they are made to handle that many rounds and more with a barrel change.

I have put thousands of rounds through my personally owned weapons, but not at one time. The most I put through any at one time was 500 rounds through an AR-15, although I did it over the space of 4 1/2 hours. Maybe I wore the barrel down a bit, but every other part was as tight as before.

 

[critter]

I don't worry in the least. I bought my guns to enjoy (shoot) and do whenever I feel like it. I do take care of them.

I feel that if I can afford the ammo to wear out a good gun, I can afford to buy a new one just like the one I wore out. (BTW, I have never worn out a gun by shooting it.)

 

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

That's what I bought a gun for. But look at it this way by the time you run 20,000 rounds through a gun (lets say a .45 for example) assuming you reload or buy in bulk and pay .15 per round; 20,000 rounds will cost $3,000 the firearm is the cheap part.

 

[Happiness Is A Warm Gun]

Exactly say a firearm only lasts 20K rounds before it needs some repair (springs, broken part, etc) then the weapon last another 30K before its accuracy suffers and you no longer want it.

So 50K rounds for $600 handgun + $50 repair - $100 sell it off = $550.
$550/50K = 1.1cents per round. Another way to look @ it is every time you fire a box of 100 you drop value of gun a mere $1. Of course a 100 rounds of ammo (other than 22LR) is going to cost you $15-$25 so the gun "deprection" is a tiny fraction of total cost of shooting.

Of course if you firearm lasts longer 80K, 100K+ then cost per round is lower (maybe as little as half).

Most people don't shoot 1K rounds every time they go to the range twice a month. Even people that do shoot that much it is a special occasion not that they shoot 52K rounds a year per gun. I think you are mistaking a few people talking about shooting 1K+ rounds a few times with everyone doing it every time.

 

[1911Tuner]

Time was, and not long ago, I fired 1500-2,000+ rounds a week...every week, weather permitting...through 4 regular range beaters, and that's just the pistols. I've cut that back to 600-odd rounds a week in 3 pistols in the last 6 months...partly due to rising component costs and the fact that I'm plain tired of bullet casting and reloading on a single-stage press.

I don't worry about the life expectancy of the guns because...well...they're beaters. That's what they're for. Besides the fact that they're 1911s and I can repair or rebuild as needed...and the ones mentioned have been rebuilt and rebarrelled a time or three.

I also have multiple carry guns...also 1911s...that are shot very little. Maybe 200 rounds a year, or less.

Other designs that don't lend themselves to easy repair are another story, especially given some of the materials used in today's pistols. For those, I'd recommend having them in multiples so that the avid shooter can use two for beater work and keep one or two in good shape for carry purposes. Identical practice and duty pistols keeps apples to apples and makes sure there aren't any familiarity issues if you have to grab for a life-saving device in the dark. Like shakin' hands with an old friend.

So, yes. Rapid wear and tear is a concern for those who really have only one gun, but not so much if we have several of the same type of gun. Depending on one mechanical device...be it automobile or pistol...will leave a body in need of another one sooner or later if it's used regularly. Things break. Have a backup plan.

Cheers!

 

[SaxonPig]

Guns are machines and will wear with use. Some will wear more than others depending on materials and the power level of the caliber. But no, I don't worry about "quickly running down the life expectancy of your firearm." The gun will last a specific number of rounds and very, very few shooters ever approach the breaking point with their guns. I suspect a quality gun would not show ill effects until hundreds of thousands of rounds had been fired in moderate caliber models. The big guns will wear faster but they likely don't get shot as much.

Bottom line is I shoot my guns as much as I can. That's why I own them. None have worn out yet and I don't worry about it if they do.

 

[Drgong]

I cannot afford that much ammo, and I I don't have a regular place to shoot, I might put 100-200 rounds though my BHP in a session, but I only shoot about once each two weeks.

 

[1911 guy]

Not worried.

I have several guns that get used much more than others, in fact I have one "junk" gun that I paid $350 NIB and it's got... Forget it, I don't know. But it's way over 50,000 rounds. When springs and such wear out, replace them. If it's beyond repair, consider yourself lucky. Not many people get to shoot that much.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I put about 50-100 rounds through each of my handguns when I go shooting. Never more than 200 at a time. I'd say I average 1,000 rounds per year, per handgun (much less on the uncomfortable ones like my .44 mag). I put about 10,000 rounds through my Remington 870 shotgun in the space of 14 years before I sold it to raise some quick cash. I get reports it is still running very strong and doing well on the trap range. 870s will run forever. I think I cleaned that shotgun a total of about 4 or 5 times in those 10,000 rounds.

My point is I buy Berettas, Rugers, S&Ws, Springfields, Remingtons, Brownings, etc. because they are meant to go forever. I would not buy a firearm that didn't have a reputation for reliability and durabilty. I also now clean and maintain my guns religiously after each shoot.

 

[CWL]

Guns may be toys for some, but I consider firearms handling a martial art, there are expenses necessary to properly conduct my studies and practice. Everything is an investment.

Guns are made for war, they don't need babying, just proper care & service.

My guns are tools, as such it is understood that they need proper servicing to function properly. This is why I keep a journal of all my guns, rounds fired and when parts are replaced. It isn't difficult.

 

[USMCDK]

I see all you points and I know that I fall under the catagory of one that has only one of each pistol, so firing that many rounds out of my pistol would be bad. I wish I had the money to have at least 2 of each that I own so one would be the beater for familiarization and the other for the defense, but sadly I don't have that kinda cash

I would never baby a pistol, you are right it's a tool and it only need regular maintenance to survive. For instance I was recently told by our Certified Armorer/Gunsmith that I should have my firearms routinely checked every 5k rds to see if the springs might need replacing, and he's not trying to make a quick buck for the company either, wause well I can't tell you that it's confidential between him and I (you know what I mean). So I feel a bit better about things, but also I have been told that I shouldn't have to worry about barrell ware until about 100k rounds anyway, so it's really the srpings and maybe some small components that I would have to worry about for the life of the pistol.

What do you guys think has he lead me down the path of enlightenment???

 

[John Wayne]

The only gun I ever heard of "wearing out" was an old Winchester pump .22 "gallery gun" that the local range officer had picked up. It was made around 1912 and shot ever since. It literally might as well have been a smooth bore.

Other than that, I doubt I'll ever wear out any of my guns. Ammo costs, time constraints, and the long drive to the range all take their toll on the amount of shooting I do.

 

[Loomis]

You don't need to worry about it if you have a "normal" caliber. 45ACP, 9mm, 38 special...in a good sturdy gun...it should last longer than you ever will.

 

[CajunBass]

I'd worry more about wearing out my hand and arm than I would any modern firearm.

Most antigue ones too, now that I think about it.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Aren't you shooters (the ones that shoot off 1k+ rounds a shooting session, out of one gun mind you) kinda worried that you are quickly running down the life expectancy of your firearm???

USMCDK, come on, this is the internet....There is more BS, probably some of mine as well, thrown around when it comes to " how much or many, or mine is bigger/better than yours, etc.."
Tuner stated it pretty well in terms of wear & tear....

 

[1911Tuner]

this is the internet....There is more BS, probably some of mine as well, thrown around when it comes to " how much or many, or mine is bigger/better than yours, etc.."

Yep. While I have, on a few occasions, fired upward of a thousand rounds through the Brace of Beaters in a single day...it really didn't amount to much more than wasting ammo for about half of it. Fatigue sets in...and plain boredom. Pretty soon, all you're doin' is makin' noise and empty brass to go reload.

Lately, I find that about 250-300 rounds is at the limit of my enthusiasm, and all I want to do is pick up the brass and go home...and at times, it's temptin' to leave the brass.

This gettin' old business ain't a job for sissies...

 

[ZeSpectre]

Realistically I don't think I've ever shot more than 200 rounds out of one gun in a session. Usually my max per gun per session is 100 rounds (except for .22LR which I go through like peanuts). Now I may actually shoot 3-400 rounds but that's out of multiple guns.

Still, when it comes to wear and tear my guns are like my automobile. I take the best care of my equipment that I know how to do, but I never lose sight of the fact that I bought the equipment to USE.

 

[Owen]

Springs generally last about 5000-10000 cycles. just replace them, they aren't expensive. A complete spring kit for a pistol should cost under $30.

in 9mm and .40, the barrels are getting pretty close to smootbores in the 20-30k round range. 100k rounds on a centerfire barrel, shooting full power jacked ammunition is well into the no rifling/keyholing bullets range on just about everything I've worn out.

5.56mm barrels generally start failing .gov accuracy requirements in the 5-10k range, and 7.62 in the 10-15k range.

 

[BigBlock]

That's why I don't buy those silly auto pistols or S&W revolvers. My Rugers will last until I die no matter how many rounds I shoot...

 

[Owen]

and with a ruger, the rifling doesn't make any difference to accuracy anyhow!

 

[1911Tuner]

My Rugers will last until I die no matter how many rounds I shoot...

Uh-huh. Keep tellin' yourself that.

Back in the day when I was hooked on Metallic Silhouette, I shot two Super Blackhawks loose. The frame on one was stretched so bad that Ruger couldn't get the endshake out of it and set the headspace, so they offered to sell me one at cost.
The other one was salvageable, so I retired it...and sold it later with full disclosure. They were bith olkd-model revolvers without the warning and the transfer bars. Hindsight/foresight, ya know...

Point is...I don't care who built it. If it's light enough to be portable, 40,000 psi and the recoil energies generated by 290-grain bullets will wreck it if you shoot it enough.

 

[BigBlock]

You're missing the point though - Rugers are DESIGNED for a steady diet of Magnums, (says so in the manual) where as, most other guns aren't. And if you're only shooting specials, yeah, the Ruger will last your lifetime, your son's lifetime, and your grandson's.

 

[frankd4]

I shoot IDPA (International Defense Pistol association) every Saturday and some times during the week
Once a year I replace springs and maybe the barrel if needed, I am constantly checking my weapon and cleaning it. All fire arms have a cretin life expectancy, when a fire arm is used in competition you must stay on top of that weapon it is the shooters responsibility.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I have kept a log (not religiously) on my Kel-Tec, my .44 Magnums, my match rifle and my T/C Encore. My .22s don't get individual logs; I just jot a number on each new brick of ammo to keep score on how much of that type of ammo. (Example, CCI Blazer brick, #3. Federal bulk from W-M, #35, etc.) The log is also the reason I've contemplated trading the Kel-Tec for a Glock 26, but I digress.

As for normal range time, it seems for me the limit is about 150 rounds of 9mm and around 70-80 rounds of mixed .44 magnum/.44 MAGNUM loads (typically through a rifle and revolver). When 9mm was dirt cheap I'd go through 200-250 rounds in an afternoon with a G-17.

So far, breakage amounts to one broken frame rail on the Glock (fixed by Glock promptly and their customer service is A-1 Great! ), one firing pin in a Marlin 1894, one warped T/C Encore forend, a couple of burnt AR-15 firing pins from pierced primers and one AR-15 barrel shot out and replaced. I've also replaced numerous small parts in the AR's bolt group.

And about some people who have high-round days, I think more than a few do that once or twice a year and that's all of their shooting. Not that I'm trying to bad mouth anybody by any means, just my observation. If you're a "shoot 500-1000 every week, all year", more power to you!