Does Anyone Break-In Their Handgun Barrels?

[BlayGlock]

Not really a need to break in a handgun barrel like you do a rifle barrel. My "break-in" on any new pistol is to fire 500 rounds over the course of a weekend, only cleaning when I get back in from the range each day.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Similar to a new refrigerator. Start by cooling liquids only.

O boy! Makes as much sense as barrel break-in rituals!

 

[P97]

I have 3 .45ACP's that I broke in the barrels by firing and cleaning after each round for the first 20 or so rounds. I shoot my reloads all the time in mine and don't have any fouling. After I have a shooting session, I drag a Bore Snake through it, and there is no fouling in the barrel. I have guns that wasn't broke in, and have to use solvent in them to get out the fouling from the rifling. Probably polishing the barrel would do the same thing. Some Gunsmiths polish the inside of the barrels to get the rough places out.

 

[oldbear]

Revolver break in.

1- Remove grips.
2- Clean and lube as needed.
3- Reinstall grips.
4- Then shoot the hell out of it, cleaning after every shooting trip.

Now I do make notes of what ammo and bullet weight shoot best in my revolvers.

 

[Old Shooter]

Clean gun, make sure all oil, dust and cobwebs are removed from barrel and bore is squeaky clean and dry, then shoot the daylights out of it.

I do use mostly jacketed bullets, not for any particular break-in ritual but because mostly that is what I shoot.

Have never noticed any issues during cleaning afterwards that might be related to some sort of break-in problems, so I guess my way works!

 

[rmfnla]

Yes; it's called shooting.

 

[gdesloge]

It is interesting to note that the couple of participants here who have actually performed a break-in report that it does indeed reduce fouling.

gd

 

[jimmyraythomason]

it does indeed reduce fouling.

so does shooting

 

[gdesloge]

"so does shooting"

Not to be overly empirical, but, if someone has performed a comparison (break-in vs. not break-in) as was mentioned earlier, that would seem to have some validity.

Cleaning a new barrel and then shooting it does not give us any standard for comparison, although I am interested in other shooter's experiences.

Thanks to all,

gd

 

[jimmyraythomason]

cleaning with bronze brushed and cloth patches removes no burrs and,roughness. the passing of a bullet down the bore will. Shooting is the only thing short of lapping the bore that removes roughness. Cleaning only removes the build up of material during a shooting session and does nothing to improve or harm the bore.

 

[1911Tuner]

Cleaning only removes the build up of material during a shooting session and does nothing to improve or harm the bore.

Which is the purpose of cleaning after each shot. It removes the metal fouling from the steel so that the bullet can contact it.

 

[doc2rn]

I always do because it is a machined part, and thus has many shavings and pieces. I clean and inspect then shoot 50 just to remove those pieces.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Which is the purpose of cleaning after each shot. It removes the metal fouling from the steel so that the bullet can contact it.

this is true however it makes no changes in the barrel it's self. It will not remove ANY roughness in the rifling.