How Many Rounds Fired is Considered "Good To Go"?

[BigMike66]

We all don't use the same range/target ammo as we do for SD/HD,

so a few questions:

1. How many range/target rounds do you break-in a weapon before firing your favorite SD/HD type ammo to determine if it will feed? Or, is it NOT important?

2. How many rounds of expensive SD/HD ammo do you fire before you can comfortably say your gun will feed flawlessly?

3. Will you ever again repeat test firing of SD/HD ammo after routine shooting with range ammo?

 

[Thernlund]

1. I'd say around 200 target rounds to determine if the weapon functions correctly.

2. I think about 50 premium rounds of the flavor you will actually carry or use for HD/SD should be good to determine compatibility with your weapon.

3. I personally don't practice regularly with premium ammo. Once compatibility is determined, further training happens with target ammo. The only time I expend more premium ammo in the same weapon is when I'm rotating out old for new. About once a year or whenever I feel like it.


-T.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

^^^^ Agreed.

 

[skers69]

WOW. Great questions Mike.

1. For me it makes no difference. I have two autoloaders that were new and I got to break in. The most important thing to me was seeing what would not fire in it. I found one batch of hydrashocks that had some bad primers. After 200 rounds and some dry fire work I feel good about both guns and got use to the triggers.

2. On this one I can speak of with some experience and a little less money in my wallet. I tried 50 rounds each of the following ammo for both my 9mm guns....Hydrashocks, gold dots, black hills, hornaday tap, and rangers.

3. I also like to rotate my HD/SD ammo from time to time....when I can afford it. Spend alot of time on the range with the cheap stuff when I can.

 

[cslinger]

If it's an autoloader I like to run 100 or so rounds of target fodder and then 100-150 rounds of defensive ammo two handed, one handed, weak handed and limp wristing before I feel totally confident. It is important to me the firearm functions under less then perfect conditions. My first couple range sessions are usually just function testing with little emphasis on accuracy.

If its a revolver I am usually happy with 20-40 rounds of whatever carry ammo just to make sure the cylinder isn't binding and the bullets are not moving forward.

Chris

 

[Urbana John]

Well--------I'm gonna get "busted",,,,,,,,,,but I reload and ALL my "target & SD rounds" are ALL the same!!

I would suggest that your "practice" rounds, be of the same bullet weight as your SD rounds.

I never thought it was a good idea to target practice with 38Sp. then carry full blown 357mags as your SD round.

Your "target"could be any where from 3 to 4 ft. to 25 to 30 ft or more.
At 30 ft. 38's and 357's are going to be hit different places.

Target/practice ammo will have a different "affect" on noise and recoil and other things.

If you want to "blow stuff" up,,,,get a different "fun" gun.

If you carry a weapon for the same reasons I do-----I don't want any "surprises"----------same weapon, same ammo, same "effects"

UJ

 

[Mad Magyar]

For carry, pretty much the same as Thernlund with an extra box (250) for reliability.
For PD, which is about a 100% Win-SilverTips for all calibers, all mags are topped off with at least 2 or 3 of these rounds and they are constantly being fired, rotated, and evaluated on the range...

 

[jwr_747]

I hate to keep kicking Kimber but a friend of mine was told twice by Kimber not to trust his Dessert Warrior untill he had at least 500 rounds thru it. jwr

 

[JHansenAK47]

500 rds is what I consider broken in. 200 could probably do it, but 500 will get the job done. Some of the metal parts in your pistol may have a burr or need to wear some of the finish on mating parts. Either way you will know if your pistol is good to go or needs repair or modification. Biggest thing is just breaking in the parts and getting them to work smoothly.
I would shoot at least 200 rds of whatever ammo you are using for a defensive load all at one time preferably both clean and dirty. You also might consider mixing mags with different bullets loads and types to see if it will miss a beat.

 

[jgo296]

it depends on the gun a glock or sig really only needs as many shots as it takes for you to be acclimated to the gun needs no real break in
1911's do require a break to make sure it is set up right
revolver i think one shot to see that the hammer drops and one follow up to see that it cycles

 

[RobertFBurnett]

I have been told repeatedly to shoot at least 500 rounds through my new SIG 226 to break it in. I knew it functioned properly after (well during too of course ) the first box, just needs some break in time. After that its just a few here or there to check SD ammo reliability.

And that Sigs unlike 1911s love to run wet.

RFB

 

[GaryP]

Since all pistols are not created equal, even two that are of the same make and model, I shoot as many rounds as is necessary to give me that warm fuzzy feeling. On average, over the years, this has been somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 to 300 rounds, but I have had several that were a little tight and went closer to 500 or so rounds before that feeling came over me.

The real answer is it varies widely, do not just pick a number like 200. Shoot your pistol as many rounds as it takes for you to gain confidence in your pistol and a particular ammo type. It would be prudent to try several kinds of ammo as some pistols, for whatever reasons, never warm up to certain ammo types without modification to the pistol.

 

[UnTainted]

And that Sigs unlike 1911s love to run wet.

streakin' through the quad naked with the sprinklers on...

 

[Moonclip]

I've heard some say 1000! A few hundread then 50-100 of the carry loads is ok with me.

 

[possum]

1. How many range/target rounds do you break-in a weapon before firing your favorite SD/HD type ammo to determine if it will feed? Or, is it NOT important?

minimum 200rds which is normally followed up shortly after by about 300 more rds of various target ammo, jhp's etc.