How long do you expect your guns to last?

[pete f]

Depends on the gun. depends on the chambering. I have a 6mm x 284 that needs a new barrel about every 1200 rounds. Just too hot, fabulous shooter when it is ready. Also have a 6.5x 284 in a cooper, getting close to two thousand rounds, still will shoot about .3 all day long. IF i can lay off the caffiene before I start shooting.

I have a couple of 1911's that have way over 100,000 rounds. I know a couple of guys I trust who say they have near or over a million rounds through 1100 remingtons. They shoot three, four nights week. Maybe four strings each, that starts to add up pretty fast.

 

[TimboKhan]

haha, "lincolnese"....

I seriously expect my guns to outlast me. Yes, they are mechanical objects subject to breakage and failure, but they are also relatively simple mechanical objects, especially as compared to a car, or a space shuttle, or a dishwasher.

 

[Run&Shoot]

Long enough for the next revolution, I hope!

 

[44AMP]

original construction, use, and maint.

These are the determening factors. I have some huns pushing 100 years old that are in as good condition mechanically (not finish) as the day they came out of the factory. These guns don't get used alot, or very hard, by my choice.

Parts break, springs wear out, even barrels. So what. You may get 250K miles on your car, but not on the original tires, belts, etc.

I would figure that as long as the gun lasts 3 to 4 times it's cost in ammo, you didn't get cheated. Most will go a whole lot longer than that with proper care. There is some adjustment that out to be made for high performance pieces. The stresses are higher, and the machine will wear faster. Just as the top auto racers rebuild or replace engines between races, a high performance gun will not last as many rounds before something needs attention.

 

[Marshall]

Taken care of properly, after I am gone, there's no reason they shouldn't last another lifetime.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Ask my Granddaughter in 20 or 50 years.

AFS

 

[Ala Dan]

Same Here

ask my 2 year old grand-daughter in 'bout 50 years or so~!

 

[AirForceShooter]

my grand daughter is 10 weeks old.

AFS

 

[tubeshooter]

I don't get to shoot nearly as much as I'd like, so it's probably a non-issue for me. This is kinda good in a way, because I can shoot as much as I feel like when I can and not feel like I'm over-stressing my guns. If I lived out in the country like where Grandma is, it still probably wouldn't be an issue but I'd probably have a *lot* more miles on both the SKS and my .22 rifles. I'm sure I would at least think about it more.


Just the same, I make it a point not to use much wire brush on the .22 rifle barrels. I don't know what's appropriate; some people swear by not using them at all. I'm thinking around 2000 rounds. I'd be interested to hear what others think is a good number (or never, if applicable). Maybe I should find an alternative to the brush.

Anyway, that's the only thing the even remotely resembles what I worry about as far as breaking/wearing out my stuff. I don't have anything that I "baby" either, it can all see use as far as I'm concerned. Like I said, I don't get much opportunity to actually shoot.

[EDIT: If we're talking specifically handguns, in addition to being a nice piece I expressly got the SP-101 so I wouldn't put too much hurt on my .38 snub practicing. So I guess that counts, as far as at least considering wear/breakage. But the .38 is all steel, so I'm still not what you would call worried about it.]

 

[Michael Courtney]

Until Jesus returns.

If my heirs and other future owners care for them properly, most of my rifles and revolvers will easily last that long.

Semi-auto handguns require more care and upkeep, replacing springs, mostly, but other parts will also wear out. Availabiility of parts and competent gunsmithing will probably be the lifetime limiting factor here.

The other thing that drives guns to an early grave is obsolescence of the cartridge. I think that my guns in .308, .223, 30-06, 44 magnum, and 22LR are pretty safe. But who knows whether the .357 Sig and 25-06 will still be available 100 years from now? And if the technology shifts quickly away from cartridge arms altogether in favor of a new, high-tech weapon for deadly action at a distance, all guns could be in danger from neglect by future generations who fail to appreciate the older technology.

But a quality gun should last for as long as a person is inclined to care for it.

Michael Courtney

 

[TestPilot]

For a pistol,no less than 30,000 rounds,which means it should last a lot longer than that.
I hope them to be built to withstand around 50,000 rounds. I've mentioned 30,000 because I estimate that during 10 year use a pistol would fire around 24,000 round for regular practice.

I'd expect more with a rifle,which is less restricted in size and bulk.

 

[Geronimo45]

Longer than I will. It's composed of interchangeable parts... I'm not.

 

[45auto]

Depends on how many rounds you shoot, how "hot" the rounds are and, of course, whether the gun is easily rebuildable.

And, I think, there is a point where rebuilding certain guns is close to the cost
of a new one, then it's not economically feasible. You may still rebuild for a variety of reasons.

 

[mpmarty]

I don't think you can wear out a 22 rimfire EXCEPT by cleaning it.

My all steel 10mm Witness should last my lifetime twice over
My poly framed guns, probably not so long.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't think you can wear out a 22 rimfire EXCEPT by cleaning it

.

Amen, brother! That's why I use spray cleaners on my .22s, and not all that often at that.

The Holy Grail, my Colt Woodsman, was made in 1938 and I have shot 1 3/4" groups at 25 yards with Wal-Mart bulk pack Remingtons, and a modified Weaver grip with that gun. My Colt Officer's Model Target revolver is the same age and almost as accurate. I don't intend to ruin either of those guns by over-cleanoing.

 

[ronto]

My 2 Ruger revolvers will easily last my lifetime and probably my grandkids lifetime if they take care of them like I do.

 

[Guncrazy45]

The issue of how long a gun will last depends on...

...how long we can keep liberal Democrats and RINOs in check.

Hopefully, all our guns will last long after November, or even 2008.

 

[Robbot]

I have a Hammerli Walther Olympia pistol that I bought new in 1953, it has well over 200,000 rounds through it. A high-Standard Supermatic Citation with the 10" Bbl. that I got in 1958 when they first came out and it has well over 200,000 rds. also. The spare firing pin that came with the Hammerli has never been in the gun. Have never replaced a single part in either one.
They will last as long as you take care of them (100-200 years?)