Do you 'break 'em in?'

[Jim Watson]

Break in for me isn't just about...

Similar to my experience in the rifle barrel break in ritual. By the time I had shot and wiped per manufacturers' directions, I also had a hundred yard zero and chronograph readings to plug into JBM for longer range sight corrections.

 

[WestKentucky]

What does everyone do if the pistol doesn't function flawless in 500 rounds? Sell it? Or send it back yo the manufacturer? Or try different types of ammo?

Fix it. Whatever that means. I have only sent back 2 guns (identical, from the same shipment, at the same shop) because they were things I couldn’t fix. Usually it’s just cleaning up scarf that didn’t flush out from final milling, and little burrs that need knocked down with an emory cloth. The couple times I have contacted the manufacturer it was frustrating in that they wanted me to pay shipping for them to fix their mistake on a brand new gun and it was something simple and dumb anyway. I asked for parts and they refused. I just fixed them rather than pay shipping.

 

[ev780]

Procedure, no. Anecdotal but my guns just seem to get better the more I shoot them. So I shoot.

 

[Zerodefect]

Since I already have a collection, I put 1000 rounds though it first. I'm in no hurry to add to my quiver.

Except for sub compacts and j frames. I consider those to NEVER be reliable, so I don't bother. Their lack of reliability and shootability is considered in my mindset.

If I was new, and broke:
Quality duty major caliber pistols: Glock, CZ, FN, HK, Walther, 50 round of jhp and 50 rounds of fmj, should be fine.

Quality duty minor calibers: 9mm of the above, 100 rounds of each at least.

Quality all metal pistols, CZ, 1911, 2011: 1000 rounds without failure.

 

[Encoreman]

Most mfgs. will tell you to break in your firearm. I have a fairly new Beretta APX, on the 14th or 15th round it blew the extractor out and hit my index finger knuckle. That wouldn't have been too good if I hadn't taken it to the range to "test" it. It was repaired and now has 300+ rounds thru it, another 700 rounds without a hiccup and it will be my carry gun. But everyone should shoot their gun to make sure it will function with the ammo you plan to have for defense. Shoot several different brands to see which is most accurate.

 

[Hangingrock]

With a semiautomatic pistol thru break in procedures I'm testing the pistol, magazines and ammunition compatibility.

 

[md7]

My thoughts have shifted some on this topic over the years.

Semi autos like Glock, MP, Beretta, etc.. I’ll run about 100 rounds to include self defense ammo for familiarity, adjust sites, and make sure there’s nothing unusual going on.

Im a new 1911 shooter, so bear that in mind. I’ve got 200 rounds through my Mil Spec at this point. Will probably put another few hundred through it. This is for me to learn, gain familiarity, and also to make sure it settles in just in case it needs a “break in”. Does it need it? Not a clue. Do I need the practice? No question. Win win

 

[tarosean]

I'm curious. How many of you feel you need to fire hundreds of rounds through a gun before you rely on it for self-defense?

Sometimes its more than xxx.. Does the gun work for you?? Does your grip interfere with the controls? can you reach the controls. Is it conductive to getting on target quickly? Only way to find out is shooting it.

While I have never had an issue with manufactures that have "Break In" in their manual.. I have had issues with perfectly acceptable guns that do not work with my Grip/Shooting Style/etc.

 

[25-5]

The last semi I considered was the Hudson H9. I passed on it because it was 9mm, and had an unproven design.
Good move.
I carry a Colt Series 70 that I put more than 60K through before concealed carry by a private citizen was a consideration.
Not interested in new manufacture.

 

[Zendude]

Revolver, so maybe a 20 round box of SD ammo to check timing and point of impact.

 

[GBExpat]

... How many of you feel you need to fire hundreds of rounds through a gun before you rely on it for self-defense?

Not I. For me, usually 50, or so, rounds thru a NIB bottom-feeder will suffice.

 

[Meeks36]

Except for sub compacts and j frames. I consider those to NEVER be reliable, so I don't bother.


/QUOTE]
Hmm my Ruger LCP ll and lc9 have been flawless. Haven't owned a j frame yet. But the ones ive shot where good.

 

[Zerodefect]

380 ammo and often 9 ammo has a huge variance in power. Combine weakish 380 with a stiff recoil spring usually found in a subcompact, limp wrist just a little, and boom.......multiple malfunctions.

My Kahr P380 only runs reliably on hot ammo. Corbon Powerball. On cheap FMJ, it'll stumble quite often.

 

[Meeks36]

380 ammo and often 9 ammo has a huge variance in power. Combine weakish 380 with a stiff recoil spring usually found in a subcompact, limp wrist just a little, and boom.......multiple malfunctions.

My Kahr P380 only runs reliably on hot ammo. Corbon Powerball. On cheap FMJ, it'll stumble quite often.

Give ruger a try. I have yet to be disappointed in mine. For poops and giggles next range trip ill try limp wristing and see if I can get either to malfunction.

 

[bannockburn]

I like to "break-in" my new guns with about 100 rounds of FMJ. If everything goes according to plan, and it typically does, then on my next outing another 100 rounds of ammo (this time a mixed bag of different types load types), go down range. If things are running smoothly at this point I will subsequently try to nail down what ammo is more accurate and the hopefully most reliable and go from there.

 

[cfullgraf]

I usually shoot two or three boxes of FMJ through a new gun. If all goes well, I'll carry it with FMJ. If it needs some tuning, I'll fire some more. If I decide to carry some designer hollow points, I shoot some of that. If no problems, I shoot less, if problems I shoot more.

If the gun is reliable, I see no need to wear it out before it gets into a holster.

 

[Riomouse911]

BUY CHEAP GET CHEAP

Sometimes....but I watched a $2,000 STI .45 choke and choke the first time it was fired with 230 gr ball and 230 gr JHP.

The shooter was very experienced so it wasn’t shooter error, he used three different magazines and it fired maybe three to four in a row before it jammed no matter which mag was used.

Certainly that STI wasn’t a cheap gun, but it is one that needed a good breaking in before it could be considered reliable.

Stay safe.

 

[ms6852]

I do not believe in "breaking" in a gun or rifle. Just clean off the factory lube and shoot it. If it is a carry gun I just shoot to see if I can hit the target. There is no set amount of bullets that I shoot for breaking in a firearm. I figure that over time my frequent trips to my range will add to the hundreds of bullets some one else may consider the gun "broken in".

 

[lightman]

When I get a new gun, or a new to me used one I clean it before shooting it. I do this mostly to ensure that the new gun is getting a fair shake on the front end. And to learn how to break it down. Sometimes on a new gun I will find metal shavings, dirty oil, ect and sometimes I find one very clean.

I don't have a specific number of rounds that I run through one but it will be several magazines (clips) or cylinders. The number increases if there are any malfunctions. I will also try as many different rounds as I can come up with.

 

[CapnMac]

If it's brand new, I'm probably taking at least 4 boxes of ammo out first time anyway--there's 200 rounds right there.
And, I'm like to take 2-3 boxes along then next 2,3, 5 times it leaves the house.
So, that's going to be around 500, 600 rounds. Which ought to be enough to hone down burrs, know where the sharp edges were/are, etc.

During that time, and potentially after, I'm not changing the daily carry.
But, I don't limit my pistol buys to only potential "carry" arms, either.

 

[defjon]

Since I already have a collection, I put 1000 rounds though it first. I'm in no hurry to add to my quiver.

Except for sub compacts and j frames. I consider those to NEVER be reliable, so I don't bother. Their lack of reliability and shootability is considered in my mindset.

If I was new, and broke:
Quality duty major caliber pistols: Glock, CZ, FN, HK, Walther, 50 round of jhp and 50 rounds of fmj, should be fine.

Quality duty minor calibers: 9mm of the above, 100 rounds of each at least.

Quality all metal pistols, CZ, 1911, 2011: 1000 rounds without failure.

Huh. First I've really heard of j frames being unreliable . Most folk choose them OVER subcompact autos because of perceived improved reliability.

Also curious if you lump the current breed of subcompacts into that statement. The 365 (after initial teething issues) and the hellcat (seemed good to go from product launch) have tested firing 10k continuous rounds without issues.

 

[Buzznrose]

I carry a 1911 so I fully vetted it before carrying. (500 fmjs 250 defensive rounds cleaned every 100 to 200 rounds or so)

Wife carrys a glock 43, so it got a box of fmjs, box of self defense rounds, box of steel case and a box of trash aluminum case. Perfectly ran it all. Gtg.

Curious...what 1911 do you carry?

 

[Buzznrose]

Brand new Glock is broken in when the cooper never seize is worn off.
Maybe one magazine.

What? Are you being serious?

Because this is clearly not accurate....

a new Glock (or other quality handgun like XD, Sig, Walther, HK, S&W, CZ, Beretta, FN, etc.) are ready for duty out of the box. “Break in” is a perception vice a rule...triggers smooth out some, rough spots smooth out, etc.

I agree it is prudent to run some rounds through it to make sure it works. Maybe running some through each magazine makes sense in case of a manufacturing issue. Sure...but I’m talking maybe 20-30 rounds tops.

Folks who think they need to shoot hundreds of rounds through a gun to trust it should keep their “BBQ gun” in the safe and carry plastic.

YMMV

 

[Buzznrose]

Most mfgs. will tell you to break in your firearm. I have a fairly new Beretta APX, on the 14th or 15th round it blew the extractor out and hit my index finger knuckle. That wouldn't have been too good if I hadn't taken it to the range to "test" it. It was repaired and now has 300+ rounds thru it, another 700 rounds without a hiccup and it will be my carry gun. But everyone should shoot their gun to make sure it will function with the ammo you plan to have for defense. Shoot several different brands to see which is most accurate.

Most manufacturers tell you a lot of things...

- don’t shoot reloads
- 21 firearm safety rules
- unload and store guns in a locked safe at all times

 

[bersaguy]

I did not by a Kahr pistol once because it called for shooting 200 rounds to break it in and assure proper function.

I had a CW9 that was a fantastic pistol. It had two failures to feed in the 1st hundred rounds...never had so much as a hiccup after that. That's one I definitely regret selling