How many rounds do hand guns last?

[Blind Eye]

I am just curiose as to how many rounds will wear out a six-shooter. I got back into shooting about three years ago. I am using my fathers guns which date back to the late 60`s. I shoot about 3 times a month shooting no less than 200 rounds each time. I have shot nothing but cast untill I learned to swage boolits from here. So I know we have some folks on here that have done it.

I would be interested in a ball park figure or even some story`s that you did it. Thanks in advance from a long time reader first time caller.

[targetshootr]

Really depends on what kind of gun and what kinds of loads.

[Tom W.]

How does "years" sound?

[waksupi]

Decades? Centuries?

[Blind Eye]

I like what I am hearing so far. I try to get as many folks at work to try it. Its fun and relaxing. i just dont want to wear them out real soon.

I shoot an old model SBH in 44 and 357 plus a Smith and wesson 686 in 357. The group I shoot with is mostly females so there light rounds anyway. i just really enjoy the way people are so freindly at most of the ranges I go to. Thanks so far with the responses.

[EDK]

I put 40,000+ of 250 grainers through a 5.5 inch SUPER BLACKHAWK when it started side-spitting some. Jim Stroh (ALPHA PRECISION) re-set barrel cylinder gap, head space and end thrust...among other things. After another 20,000+, it has some issues with mis-fires....I think the hammer is worn enough to hit the frame...Mr. Stroh installs a bushing in the hammer to correct this for about $20 IIRC. A new hammer and trigger and a trigger job aren't that expensive.

I got interested in VAQUEROS a couple years back and had the resources to get several, so I'm spreading the wear out a bit more than on the old SUPER. I try to do 24 rounds left handed and 24 right with a pair of VAQUEROS on a daily basis...weather permitting...ain't much fun in 20 degree weather!

A SMITH & WESSON will last quite awhile with moderate loads. A RUGER single action is even more durable. A tuned and tightened up revolver will do even better. Don't get crazy with magnums and a little maintenance will leave your guns in good shape for YOUR son.

[9.3X62AL]

Both of the examples you list in your text are VERY durable revolvers. You made a wise decision initially by purchasing quality platforms, and mild or mid-range loads will allow such revos to last a VERY LONG TIME.

I have a 686 x 4" that likely has 10K or more 357 rounds through it, most of which ran in the 30-35K PSI pressure envelope and most of which were fired double-action. I cannot discern any side-shake or end-shake in this handgun. FWIW, the 586/686/L-frame revolver series were designed around the full-time use of 158 grain ammo that ran 1400-1450 FPS/42K PSI. The K-frame Model 13 or 19 service guns had durability issues with the full-tilt 1935-level 357 Magnum ammo. Bullet weights were dropped to lessen pressures, and the 125 JHPs didn't beat up the K-frames like the classic ammo did. The 125 grain JHPs ran at 1400-1450 FPS, expanded readily, and did the job on assailants quite well. And still do.

Of course, USA LEOs dropped the wheelguns like a bad habit through the 1980s, so the 357's cachet as a felon-stopper is largely dead. The 357 Magnum remains my favorite handgun caliber, period. The 686 remains my back-country companion, and I still qualify with it for my CWP.

[40sandwfan]

Decades? Centuries?

I agree with this statement. It's likely that your handgun will take more ammunition than you can feasibly imagine putting through it. As long as you don't shoot loads that are too hot for your handgun or anything it'll likely last long enough for you to pass it down to your posterior!!

[warf73]

The guns you have will last a long time as the guys have said. I did wear out a Rossi/Tauras 686 357mag look alike back in the early 90's. It had less than 7500 round threw it and was total junk.
I think you get what ya pay for to a degree in handguns.

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got rugers with round counts near 50k and 1911s with well over that that have no signs of wear.. Ive also shot loose a vaquero in less then a 1000 rounds using loads i shouldnt have been using. Same goes for smiths. Loaded properly they will last 2 lifetimes but fool around with loads that arent designed for it and you can screw one up in a hurry. Forcing cones do wear and some guns tend to wear in the forcing cone faster then others. Cheap imported guns can wear fast. Rugers security six and speed sixes were notorious for forcing cone wear. Best thing to do to prevent it is to stay away from ball powders and light bullet for caliber loads. Also when shooting try not to get your gun to hot by shooting a ton of ammo as fast as you can. Also keep your guns well oiled. On a single action keep the ratchet on the end of the cylinder and the recoil shoulder on the front oiled. It goes along way toward beating your gun into endshake problems. On 1911s or any semi auto replace the springs often. I like to replace mine about every 1000 rounds. A weak spring will allow the gun to get beat up. Also make sure your spings are heavy enough for the load your using.

[NickSS]

I have a Ruger security six I bought in 1975 that has over 50000 rounds through it mostly 38 specials and it is as tight and shoots as well as it ever did. I have read of one of these that has over a million rounds through it that except for normal cleaning and maintenace is still working fine but that is only hear say. Near as I can tell a good revolver should last a lifetime of shooting.

[oldhickory]

[IMG][/IMG]

Here's grand-dad's Colt New Service revolver, I have no idea how many rounds of .45 Colt have been through it since 1904, but it still locks up tight and shoots as straight as it did when new.

[Kraschenbirn]

My S&W 586 (no "dash #) was a private security trade-in and I've put over 40K rounds...99% .38 Spls...through it and it's still tight and more accurate than I can hold. I also have an OM Ruger BH .357 purchased new in 1964 that's shot a whole bunch of moderate-to-hot jacketed stuff and, while showing some "carry" wear, is still as tight (or tighter) than some of the new guns I've handled in the last few years. Then there's the box-stock, parkerized Remington 1911A1 that followed me home from SE Asia and has never seen anything but ball (or equivalent cast) ammo...

Bill

[sargenv]

I have a Ruger GP100 that I don't use all that much anymore that has at least 50,000 rounds through, about half of those are magnums loaded with either Blue dot or H110.

I have a S&W 610-2 with a 6.5" full underlug barrel that has seen over 100,000 rounds.. about 20,000 being full power 10 mm, and the rest lighter target loads that I use for shooting ICORE and USPSA.

I have a Para P16-40 that the only original parts are the barrel, slide, frame, and grips with about 50,000 rounds through it.

I have a TC Contender that I've likely put about 10,000 rounds of 30-30 through... it is still about as tight as it was when I bought it..

I know people who have put over 100,000 rounds through their various Glocks, STI's, Kimbers, Springfields, other S&W revos, CZ's, and Tangfolios... If you do not overly abuse them, a quality handgun will last a very long time for most people.. competitors really use and wear them out.. I don't look forward to the day when my 610 wears out.. it has such a sweet, smooth double action.. it will take years to make the 610-3 replacement I have to get to the the same smoothness.

[45nut]

just like asking how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop.. one or two if you are really aggressive,, hundreds if you savor each and every lick.

[fecmech]

I have a S&W Model 14 (K38) that I shot PPC with back "in the day". I put approx 45-50K of wadcutters through it along with about 5K jacketed military ball ammo. I sent the gun back to S&W to have a gas ring installed on the cyl(it was sent out that way new) and they installed that, turned the barrel in 1 turn and recut the forcing cone. That was back in the 90's and since then I've put 20-30K of a standard service load (158@900fps) through it plinking and shooting Hunters Pistol silhouette. It is the most accurate pistol I own. You do not have enough time in your life to wear out a good quality revolver unless maybe you're an exhibition shooter or something like that.

[wiljen]

1 round if it is a 45 Colt case loaded with 30gr of Bullseye behind a 350gr bullet.


Yes, saw a fool blow an SAA with something like this load one day at the range.

[sargenv]

You do not have enough time in your life to wear out a good quality revolver unless maybe you're an exhibition shooter or something like that.

I know a gent who wore out his 625... a GM Revo shooter who did a LOT of dry fire.. it wore out internal parts... it wasn't JM though.

[Wayne Smith]

I have a Colt Army, Old Model, that needs a hand and rachet, in 32-20, that hails from 1909. I have another from the 20's, this one a New Model, could use the same repair. Looking for parts at a reasonable price! Other than that typical wear they are as good to go as ever. Both are very well used.

[bbailey7821]

I'll have to go check the notebook, but my SS Superblackhawk is getting close to 28k. Still shoots good enough to kill hogs at 50 yds reliably. I've got about 10k through a 30 carbine BH with no issues. Only about 2k through my FA model 83, stay tuned on this one.