Do you believe in "gun break in?"
- Thread starter Crazy Fingers
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content
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Hello friends and neighbors // Some interseting points here, Just bringing it back to life.
I think things should work as advertised. If a firearm needs 500 rounds to be considered reliable, it should say that right on the box. You shouldn't have to find out later that you need to spend another $300.00 dollars on "breaking in the pistol". I bet a lot of people would think twice about buying guns that required so much of a "break in period". Personally I wouldn't feel safe carrying anything that was that finicky to begin with. A new gun should work just fine after a box of 50-100 rounds, and a cleaning. If it jams or FTF's after that, I don't want to carry it, that's just my own opinion. Don't forget they used to say the same thing about cars, now the engine and drivetrain is ready to go when you purchase it. Guns should be the same way. Let them use a machine to break in the gun instead of the buyer having to waste time and money doing it after shelling out a grand or more on a "quality firearm". It's understood that some enjoy the process, but it should say that before you buy it, right on the box, "this weapon requires 3-500 rounds before being considered reliable", so that the buyer can decide if they want to make that committment or purchase a weapon that requires less of a break in, or none at all. Most folks that aren't really "gun people" should not be expected to know these things. If they want to buy a two thousand dollar gun, "for whatever reason" they should be made aware that it needs a break in period, and we all know that the deales "for the most part", are more concerned with making the sale than instructing the buyer. Then when the guy or gal comes back, they will usually be told to contact the factory.
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It is an issue that has some truth behind it - apparently. I've read gun reviews about the trigger becoming much better than stock and requiring less pull than when new. I personally think a new gun should be maximized right out of the box. My Kimbers are that way, but then they cost a bunch of bucks too!
I say that with some pistols it could be true. Guns like Glocks seem the same, to me, after a 1'000 rounds as compared to the first round. But one of my guns (a Walther PPS in .40) needs to be shot hundreds of rounds to fix some issues that it shouldn't have in the first place.
So, yes for some - no for others. That's my political answer.
I say that with some pistols it could be true. Guns like Glocks seem the same, to me, after a 1'000 rounds as compared to the first round. But one of my guns (a Walther PPS in .40) needs to be shot hundreds of rounds to fix some issues that it shouldn't have in the first place.
So, yes for some - no for others. That's my political answer.
DMK
Member
Every machine should be broken in, so yes, I believe in gun break-in.
However, a gun should be reliable during break-in. Break-in should 'smooth' the action, not fix problems.
New cars used to need to be broken in (and I still believe the should be) by driving them gently for the first 500 miles or so. However, that didn't mean that we accepted they would overheat, stall and run rough until broken in. If they did, you would be right back at the dealership demanding they fix it.
However, a gun should be reliable during break-in. Break-in should 'smooth' the action, not fix problems.
New cars used to need to be broken in (and I still believe the should be) by driving them gently for the first 500 miles or so. However, that didn't mean that we accepted they would overheat, stall and run rough until broken in. If they did, you would be right back at the dealership demanding they fix it.
jimmyraythomason
Member
This is OT but new engines should be "broken in" by driving them HARD not gently. To keep it on topic most guns with smooth up with use..
My Kel Tec Sub2000 needed breaking in - the only time it ever had FTE's was within the first 600 rounds or so - has ran like a Swiss watch ever since. I don't believe in the tedious round by round break-in - just a good cleaning on receipt, followed by a range session and good cleaning on completion...repeat - i.e. no different to normal use.....but then again, I'm not an uber-precision benchrest shooter type.
Other firearms I have had have generally worked fine from the get-go, but I also do think most guns smooth up with use.
Other firearms I have had have generally worked fine from the get-go, but I also do think most guns smooth up with use.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Same here.
Jaybird78
Member
Yes I do. As someone earlier posted. A gun is a machine and there are moving parts, metal against metal. As you start to use the gun/machine parts will "seat", burrs will smooth out, etc.
Is it always neccessary? NO But it does happen!
Is it always neccessary? NO But it does happen!
content
Member
Yep, I agree I've worked on too many machines not to check them out and clean them before using then clean and check them out after using.
I don't break in something without oil/lube changes and maybe smooth a few burrs if they are that visible.
After all they are just machines you are the determining factor in proper function and care.
I also think that is why it is hard to get me into a helicopter.
I don't break in something without oil/lube changes and maybe smooth a few burrs if they are that visible.
After all they are just machines you are the determining factor in proper function and care.
I also think that is why it is hard to get me into a helicopter.
searcher451
Member
If I can't put at least 500 flawless rounds through it, I'm not inclined to carry it. And if I'm not inclined to carry it, there's not much sense in owning it -- unless, of course, it's strictly going to be a safe queen, in which case I wouldn't have it out to the range anyway. As you'd do with a new car, I think that you have to take a gun out to the range and wring it out a bit, just to see what it's capable of.
chieftain
Member
Guns are not toasters, or vacuum cleaners. Although it appears some folks believe they should be. To buy an appliance I read and subscribe to Consumer's Union and their publications and product tests. Then most often I buy their "Best Buy" recommendations, and have generally been very happy.
That doesn't exist for guns. Experience and time is what we look to for guns.
They are built with much more precision and timing than any other consumer product other than possibly an automobile. They are made to contain a very violent chemical explosion, and still maintain timing and function function correctly. I believe today's guns are very reliable, and still need to be "broken in". Particularly at their very low price's.
All my guns get a part of the break in process. My "fighting" guns get much more attention than my "play" or "fun" guns.
Such is the difference between experience and consumerism. I don't trust anyone else to warranty or guarantee my fighting guns. I do that.
Go figure.
Fred
That doesn't exist for guns. Experience and time is what we look to for guns.
They are built with much more precision and timing than any other consumer product other than possibly an automobile. They are made to contain a very violent chemical explosion, and still maintain timing and function function correctly. I believe today's guns are very reliable, and still need to be "broken in". Particularly at their very low price's.
All my guns get a part of the break in process. My "fighting" guns get much more attention than my "play" or "fun" guns.
Such is the difference between experience and consumerism. I don't trust anyone else to warranty or guarantee my fighting guns. I do that.
Go figure.
Fred
nitetrane98
Member
I think as much as a gun is wearing in during it's first box of shells it is also you are learning the intricacies and subtleties of any given gun. What it likes and what it won't tolerate. You may find that the slide will not tolerate the least bit of riding when loading the first round. You may find that it always goes into battery from slide lock release but sometimes not from slingshotting it. You may find that you really need to smack that magazine home. You may find exactly how firm a grip you have to have with it for it to feed properly. You will discover where the trigger reset is. You will learn not to bump the slide release latch or the safety upon recoil.
Many malfunctions that you would blame on the gun's virginity might be your own failings. Especially if it is a new type of action to you.
This is usually apparent when my buddies and I gather for gun swapping shoots. I can't count the times a gun will malf in strange hands. Not just my guns but everybody elses too. Everybody loves to try my Delta Gold Cup. The absolutely most reliable gun I own. Invariably somebody will limp wrist it. It's the only thing I can figure.
Many malfunctions that you would blame on the gun's virginity might be your own failings. Especially if it is a new type of action to you.
This is usually apparent when my buddies and I gather for gun swapping shoots. I can't count the times a gun will malf in strange hands. Not just my guns but everybody elses too. Everybody loves to try my Delta Gold Cup. The absolutely most reliable gun I own. Invariably somebody will limp wrist it. It's the only thing I can figure.
mustang_steve
Member
Mechanical break in is real, but as mentioned, it's usually only true in the case of a device that's out of tolerance on the "tight" side.
IMO, a firearm should be loose...the cardtridge should be securely cradled, but if the slide wobbles laterally...I don't care, so long as it's tight where it needs to be.
If something is misfeeding, the first thing to find out is if it's due to too tight or too loos a tolerance. If it's too loose, break in won't fix it. If it's too tight, break in wil fix it but a cheaper answer is to polish/machine out the problem.
IMO, a firearm should be loose...the cardtridge should be securely cradled, but if the slide wobbles laterally...I don't care, so long as it's tight where it needs to be.
If something is misfeeding, the first thing to find out is if it's due to too tight or too loos a tolerance. If it's too loose, break in won't fix it. If it's too tight, break in wil fix it but a cheaper answer is to polish/machine out the problem.
bigalexe
Member
Whether or not I believe it works on the mechanics of the gun is a non-issue as far as I see it. What I DO Believe in is SHOOTER break-in.
Also if you profess that shooting a gun a bunch will make it run better then you have another excuse to go shoot, so why not?
However I will say this; it has been proven multiple times that many pump-shotguns (brand regardless) can seem rough from the factory and running the action about 500 times tends to smooth it right out.
Also if you profess that shooting a gun a bunch will make it run better then you have another excuse to go shoot, so why not?
However I will say this; it has been proven multiple times that many pump-shotguns (brand regardless) can seem rough from the factory and running the action about 500 times tends to smooth it right out.
shibby
Member
My tcp surely loosened up after about 200 rounds to the point that I can actually operate the slide and disassemble for cleaning.
Although there have been zero ftfs or ftes.
Although there have been zero ftfs or ftes.
Palehorseman
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I dunno, but I do trust the rattle of my 1943 vintage 1911A1 when I shake it.
Hatterasguy
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For me it takes a bit to get familer with the gun before I trust it.
My Sig had mag issues when I first got it and wasn't very reliable. But by ditching the Sig mags and going with Pmags I was able to acheive 100% reliability.
Sometimes you need to fine tune a few things to get them running at 100%.
My Sig had mag issues when I first got it and wasn't very reliable. But by ditching the Sig mags and going with Pmags I was able to acheive 100% reliability.
Sometimes you need to fine tune a few things to get them running at 100%.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I know I'm talking about a cheap gun here, so don't be too hard on me, but my S&W Sigma .40VE had a few fte when I first got it. This may be because of the cheap Monarch ammo I was trying to put through it. It has cycled the last 500+ rounds with no problems. These have been a combination of UMC, Winchester white box, Fiochii and handloads. Don't know if it was a break in or getting away from crappy ammo, but it's fine now.
I didn't think much about breaking in firearms, until I purchased a Colt 1911.
That sucker would not behave until I ran about 200rds through it. To this day, it has
been the only firearm to need this break-in period.
FWIW, the Old Salt that sold me the gun new, told me not to expect perfection until I ran
a few hundred "down the pipe". Them Old guys know their stuff sometimes.
That sucker would not behave until I ran about 200rds through it. To this day, it has
been the only firearm to need this break-in period.
FWIW, the Old Salt that sold me the gun new, told me not to expect perfection until I ran
a few hundred "down the pipe". Them Old guys know their stuff sometimes.
chieftain
Member
It is called EXPERIENCE. You now that been there, done that, stuff. Often many, many times. Really radical.
Go figure.
Fred
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