How many rounds does one need to shoot to validate a gun for HD?

[marklbucla]

Suppose the subject is a Smith 686 shooting .38 specials.

How many rounds to validate it for HD use for a new gun?

How about for a used gun?

 

[BobHAJ]

Any gun 500 rounds without failure.

 

[LKB3rd]

I think that using quality ammo that will fire every time the hammer hits a primer is probably more pertinent in getting a revolver reliable, assuming it is timed and maintained correctly. I'd fire more rounds through a used gun to verify this than a new revolver.
You could also get some snap caps and dry fire it a lot to make sure it cycles properly and reliably.

 

[Virginian]

I use about 100 rounds with a revolver, about 300, with at least the last 50 the specific ammunition I intend to use, in an auto. If a gun has any hitch you ought to pick it up by then if you know what you're doing.

 

[Dismantler]

I generally put a box of 50 through it. I do the revolver check-over, and then shoot a box. This is not like a semi-auto where we are concerned about FTF and FTE.

If it shoots 50 without a hitch, I'll carry it. If not, it goes back to the dealer.

 

[Brian Williams]

For a revolver I typically like to shoot 50 round and thats it.

 

[johndoe1027]

With a revolver I normally shoot about 50-100 to ensure reliability and accuracy (new or used). It may take more for you to be 1000% comfortable with it though. You can use cheap target ammo to test the function of the gun but make sure to shoot at least 25-50 rounds of the ammo you are going to use for HD.

A semi is a whole nother story. I don't trust any new semi until at least 500.

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with Brian Williams when it comes to revolvers, and any handgun I get is detail stripped and inspected before any rounds go through it. Sometimes problems are found and corrected before any ammunition is wasted.

As for pistols, it depends on what it is. Some makes and models have excellent (and well deserved) reputations for reliability, when others (need I say current 1911's) are pretty checkered when it comes to being dependable. Many makers have questionable quality control (if they have any) and sometimes their products aren't even test fired. Magazines are good, bad or indifferent. Anyone foolish enough to stake their necks on these had better wring them out first.

 

[glockman19]

For a revolver I typically like to shoot 50 round and thats it.

+1.

 

[possum]

any gun that is gonna be hd or ccw, 500rds is my minimum, normally in one range trip.

 

[GRIZ22]

Being we are talking revolevrs I'd say you can do it with about 100 or even less if you're an experienced shooter. Adjust your sights or ensure the load you're using is dead on or reasonably close and then a bit of practice.

If you never fired a revolver before it would take a few hundred.

 

[KyJim]

Put me in the 50 round group for revolvers. For semi-autos, it's more like 300.

 

[Jim March]

There's two questions here: how many rounds through the gun to establish it's "boom reliability", and how many of a given load to make sure that ROUND works?

Through the gun, a couple of hundred rounds (of any/all types) is a good idea to make sure it's OK. I would recommend at least 50 of those involve CCI primers (Speer/CCI/Blazer brands) as those are a hit harder - if the gun can set those off, you're good to go.

In terms of carry loads, it can be as few as a couple cylinders full, to make sure you know where they print.

 

[Drail]

I think 500 minimum. More is better.

 

[Evocatii]

I'm of the mindset that validation never ends. I carry a snub and try to put 50 rounds down range per week or every two weeks. As far as I am concerned, if it is man made then it is prone to failure. I like to think that "regular validation" will help me catch any developing problems early. I can't say if this is true because my S&W 60 hasn't had a hiccup yet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with the other who said 50 rounds through a revolver should be enough. With a revolver there is no "break in" like on a semi-auto. If it shoots, it shoots and all you really need to do is find out where the ammo you have chosen will impact. (or adjust the sights if they are adjustable for POA=POI)