Sig P290: Can one shoot a gun too many times? Do they wear out?

[valleyforge.1777]

I have a Sig P290RS. It has been an excellent gun. I use it for conceal carry nearly every day. Very slim, lightweight, and easy to carry. Shoots very smoothly for something so small. Very accurate gun; very easy to shoot accurately.

So, here's my question: I shoot at the range often with this gun. Very often. Have probably put about 3,000 rounds through it. I am not seeing any problems, but I am wondering if one can shoot a polymer handgun too much? Can I ruin it by shooting it this often (twice a month; lots and lots of rounds per session, 250+ rounds per session)? I know that the metal/mechanicals can be replaced, but I am asking about the frame. Can the frame get ruined or worn out from shooting the gun over and over again?

I like to practice for self-defense situations, but now I am wondering if I should get a second one of these guns to use for the range so that I do not ruin my concealed-carry gun. Do I need to worry about any of that? I'm sure that other guns will come along that i like, but I can really see carrying this for the rest of my life. The gun always gets thoroughly cleaned immediately after every range session. I know that Glocks get shot a lot, but they use a more flexible polymer than Sig used for this gun. Can this gun take the shooting I am putting it through? Should I get another one to use as a dedicated range gun and stop putting rounds through the concealed one?

thanks

 

[Telekinesis]

The gun will be fine. Just make sure you keep track of your round count and replace springs and other wear parts when the time comes.

If you want to get another gun for practice, feel free to pick up another one. But there isn't really any reason to think that the gun can't handle it.

 

[DPris]

Of course the gun can wear out. Any mechanical device can & will if used often enough.

How soon depends on how much.
To find out when & what that'll be, you'll have to keep shooting it.

Poly frames can crack, but rarely do. Frame rails can crack or loosen. Pinholes can enlarge. And so on.
If you're concerned, buy a spare as Tele suggested.
One to carry, one to shoot the bejabbers out of.
Denis

 

[Tomac]

What Telekinesis said. I have two P290RS'; one for EDC and one for training.
Tomac

 

[Drail]

You are not going to "wear it out" unless you take up USPSA/IPSC competition. Then you might. For most shooters the gun will last much longer than they will be alive.

 

[Steve C]

Guns will wear out like anything mechanical from friction of the parts and wear from the bullets passing through the bore. Like any other mechanism it will last longer if well maintained and shorter if abused. Barrels, springs, and other moveing parts will wear out but can easily be replaced so the frame which is what the BATF categorizes as "the gun" will continue to shoot.

Most firearms will last through 10's of thousands of rounds before being worn out. Things that destroy guns are barrel wear from excessive rapid shooting. Failure to lubricate. Corrosion from neglect.

 

[RyanM]

Going by numbers from reputable sources, a 9mm Glock will last about 200,000 rounds before it breaks anything major. The main failure points are the front of the slide where the recoil guide rod goes through, and occasionally the lug on the bottom of the barrel that engages the whatsit in the frame.

1911s tend to last 80,000+ shots, and it's usually the locking lugs between the barrel and slide, IIRC.

All-steel SIGs last about 60,000 shots. I forget what tends to fail first, but it's something with the slide or barrel, yet again.

Shoot the crap out of that thing and don't worry about it. The barrel or slide will break before the polymer frame does, and those will break at the same time they would in an all-steel gun.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have an early 1980's built Beretta 92S that has had in excess of 8000 rounds thru it. It has been treated well and lubed and gently cleaned and looks virtually new. It is as accurate as the day it was born and shoots like a dream.

I have three mags that have been kept loaded thru those 30 years and they function flawlessly as well.

You *can* wear them out but as already said it takes many thousands of rounds unless the gun is abused.

I have a 95 year old Colt 1903 Model M that has had countless rounds thru it as it has been carried and shot by 3 generations of my Wife's kin and it shoots every kind of ammo I throw at it accurately. For reference...

VooDoo

 

[ares338]

I have a Sig P290 also and I don't think I will be wearing it out anytime soon. That said...yes anything can wear out but if you take care of it and inspect it often you can stay ahead of the curve.

 

[snooperman]

I have been shooting handguns for most of my 73 years and had experiences with various parts wearing out and having to be replaced. If you shoot it enough, something will wear out. Do not worry about it, shoot it and enjoy it now.

 

[MikeJackmin]

A P290 is a small, powerful gun. It's probably going to have a shorter service life than a larger gun shooting the same cartridge.

I would not be surprised if a polymer pocket pistol such as this were designed with a service life of 10k rounds or even less.

I certainly don't see this as a problem, however. A longer-lasting gun would be bigger, heavier, and more expensive, and you have to make the trade-off somewhere. Besides, 10k rounds of 9mm ammo is going to set you back much more than the price of a new gun.

All that shooting you're doing is developing skills that can't be earned any other way, and it takes time and money and effort to do it. The occasional replacement of a part, and the eventual replacement of the gun itself, is just part of the overall cost of becoming an excellent shot.

 

[TarDevil]

A P290 is a small, powerful gun. It's probably going to have a shorter service life than a larger gun shooting the same cartridge.

It IS small but not one of the super lightweights at 20.5 ounces, so I would guess it may be a bit more durable.