The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: cody6.0 on November 19, 2008, 10:55:45 AM
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I was just wondering if and handgun manufactures ever specify how many rounds the average handguns barrel can run though it before the rifling is and or accuracy is affected.
My main handgun right now is a Beretta PX4 in .40 S&W
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I don't know, but unless you shoot competitively there's no way you'll ever wear it out. On a good gun that is.
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way to many varables to give you a number, bullet type, powder charge... etc etc. I would be more barrels are damaged by cleaning them then are ever worn out.
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Some of the manufacturers will suggest a barrel life, ususally based on military requirements. The manufacturers that have participated and passed the T&E ususually use that fact as a marketing tool.
The real debate is whether or not polygonal bores really out-last and out-perform conventional rifling. Those that produce polygonal bores claim enhanced velocity and lifespan (ie Glock/HK). I had an HK P2000. It was easy to clean the bore but I never put more than 400 rounds through it (.357 Sig, that's why).
I really don't know if polygonal rifiling is better than well-executed button rifiling, but is probably going to last longer. A suggested round count is too difficult to come by, but I wouldn't worry about the bore life until maybe 20k.
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On my 1911 types, the barrel/bushing interface loosened up before the barrels were shot out. Example is 10K+ rounds on a Para P14.45 and the first bushing and barrel got loose (barrel rattling around inside bushing), and the groups went from one-hole to saucer size at 7 yards (and to OMG! at 15 or more). New bushing, everything good again. IPSC open shooters get well over 10k major power factor rounds thru a barrel, so I would not worry about most home users. Note the ammo cost of wearing out a handgun barrel is far greater than the cost of a barrel.
I have heard of flame-cutting in revolvers, but that is not the barrel so much.
Lee
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I have a glock 22 (40cal) that has well over 20,000 rds through it. the barrel is original, but all springs including the guide rod have been replaced. It still shoots just as accurate as when it was new.
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This is what I know from seeing actual beretta M9's. They rate the Barrels at 20,000 and the frame at 35-40.000. That is a life time of shooting unless you shoot competitive or multi tour combat use where you are training and then deploying and using the same gun for everything. More times than not, locking block issues with the barrel would end an M9's life than the real wear of the barrel itself. Now these numbers are a guideline.
Every year in 3rd SFGA no matter the the amount of rounds fired or stress of the gun weather it is M9 or 1911 the armors did a complete rebuild of the gun. This was hammer, trigger, Sear (fire control system), firing pin, all springs, and mags rebuilt (if after market). Now we put a lot of undue stress on our pistols that the average person is not really doing. From training with blanks to just carrying our full load and doing Airborne ops where the gun is getting landed on ran through dirt, and then being slept with while it is pouring down rain in NC.
Some stuff would break or wear out and be replaced of course at due time, but as a rule once a year, over haul and follow the factory guidelines for frame and barrel wear
You may not need to replace parts a like this every year but if it is your self defense, number one shooter, every six months you should be doing a full inspection with a functions tests weekly and every time you field strip or break down your handgun.
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I was just wondering if and handgun manufactures ever specify how many rounds the average handguns barrel can run though it before the rifling is and or accuracy is affected.
My main handgun right now is a Beretta PX4 in .40 S&W
Probably 80K rounds through a Glock 34 with no appreciable variance in accuracy.
My Infinity has a Scheumann AET barrel (not an average barrel, btw). Go to http://www.schuemann.com/ for all the technical barrel information you could ever hope for.
jr
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I never heard of the AET barrel before. Definately NOT an average barrel, starting with the gain twist rifling, and getting more unusual from there. I'm familiar with gain twist rifling from 4.2" (107mm) mortars I worked on. I knew rifles were made with it too but not pistols. The rest of the stuff that goes into that barrel is unique to Schuemann as far as I know. 8) Some good info at that link.