How Many Rounds Is A Lot? | 1911Forum

Menu Log in Sign up

• Home
• Forums
• Hardware & Accessories
• Gunsmithing & Troubleshooting

gr7070 G The subject came up in a different thread, but wanted to get a good response. FYI, I'm relatively new to handguns and especially 1911s, but I am familiar with shotguns. The number of rounds through solid shotgun can easily exceed 100,000 rounds without excessive wear. Sure you'll need a new firing pin now and again, but in large part there's not a lot of repair needed. What's a reasonably large number of rounds one puts through their 1911? Is 10,000 rds a lot? Is 50k or 100k relatively common. Of course a few things will need replacing, but can 100,000 rds be accomplished without need to replace the major pieces like the barrel? #1 · Jun 3, 2008 The subject came up in a different thread, but wanted to get a good response. FYI, I'm relatively new to handguns and especially 1911s, but I am familiar with shotguns. The number of rounds through solid shotgun can easily exceed 100,000 rounds without excessive wear. Sure you'll need a new firing pin now and again, but in large part there's not a lot of repair needed. What's a reasonably large number of rounds one puts through their 1911? Is 10,000 rds a lot? Is 50k or 100k relatively common. Of course a few things will need replacing, but can 100,000 rds be accomplished without need to replace the major pieces like the barrel? Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Jun 3, 2008 100k is alot thru a handgun. But if taken care of, and if just lead shot thru the barrel, then it should be 'ok'. 100k of fmj thru a barrel is alot. Most folks here would just say if the gun is sound, there are no cracks in the frame/slide, the gun is reliable and accurate, and does not look to be abused then the firearm is still plenty serviceable even with 100k of rounds thru it. #3 · Jun 3, 2008 (Edited)

gr7070 said: ... Is 10,000 rds a lot? Is 50k or 100k relatively common. Of course a few things will need replacing, but can 100,000 rds be accomplished without need to replace the major pieces like the barrel? Click to expand...

Guns can be compared to cars. Some cars are ready for the junk yard at 100,000 miles. Others are just getting broken in. It depends on how they are taken care of during their life. Same for guns. There are reports of astonishing amounts of rounds being put thru 1911s without any major failures. And then there are the reports of frames cracking after only a few thousand rounds. A lot depends on the individual gun. But, I seriously doubt the average shooter puts anywhere near 50k to 100k thru any type pistol. By average shooter, I mean one that DOES NOT participate in competition matches. That's the majority of shooters. People worry about wearing out a gun. If you can afford to buy enough ammo to wear out a gun, then the cost of a new gun would be completely irrelevant. I wish I were that rich. #4 · Jun 3, 2008 A range I used to shoot at had a 1911, it was a Valtro that had 300,000 to 400,000 rounds through it. After that it was reblued and a new barrel and some parts replaced. Steve #5 · Jun 4, 2008 lead rounds going by the 100,000 no. might not need replacement parts but accuracy won't be the same. when I mean accuracy is bullseye accuracy. but no way im reaching that no... unless I only have 1 gun. #6 · Jun 4, 2008 The 100k guns I have examined in 45 that shot lead had the rifling start 1 inch down the bore. more wear on the top lands and groves than the bottom. Jacketed in Supers will go away in the 15 to 30k zone. in 45 cal Jacketed probably drops off accuracy wise in the 60k range. once rebarreled if your shooting for accuracy the guns can do another 100k or so. Some of the Army rebuild guns have seen several top ends on the same frame. I suspect they have seen serious rounds. hope this helps geo www.egw-guns.com #7 · Jun 4, 2008 There are a couple pistols in my family with 20,000+ rounds thru them, but with the majority of those being low end/moderate power or lead rounds, the guns show now signs of wearing out, or of accuracy falling off. I have about 10,000 thru my 11 year old kimber, still has the all original parts including the springs. I take care of it, and it keeps on going bang. Personaly, i would be tickled pink if i shot a gun enough to actually wear it out, would kinda be a badge of honor. #8 · Jun 4, 2008 10K and you have not changed the springs out. You might be surprised with new springs. I have a Colt M1911 the springs get changed every 3,000 rounds. Your Kimber is 11 years old and my Colt was born in 1918. JIMHO Chief-7700 0 Reply #9 · Jun 4, 2008 Back in "the day..." I was an armorer in the USMC. As late as the early 80's, just before the 9mm took their place in the Fleet, we still had some Korean War Issue (some were armory reworks from WWII) in stock. Some that had good records and had been in one place a long time had documented over 500k rounds. We had a lot of loose slides (looser than you might like nowadays) but they would still qualify a SNCO if he knew how to shoot it. We would qual at 25 meters in those days. You didn't want to drop too many out of the black (5"). I don't really think you can actually wear a 1911 to death if you take relatively good care of it. #10 · Jun 4, 2008 OK I'm starting to get a feel for what's a reasonably large number of rds. This is by no means scientific, but it's looking like 20k isn't a ton and there shouldn't be much wear and tear at that point. Anywhere from 30k to 50k to well over 100k can be expected with varying degree of maintenance needs from a new barrel to other items. I got mine in Novemeber 2007. It needed to go back to Springfield before I even shot it. I put my first rds through it in Dec and have roughly 1200 rds in it now. If I shoot 2000 rds a year for 10 years I'm probably not even reaching middle aged on it. And that's assuming I continue to shoot it monthly in IDPA or the range without getting a different pistol that will take rounds away from this one. #11 · Jun 4, 2008 I know an instructor who has a .45ACP Ruger (not sure of the model) that has over 600,000 rounds through it. #12 · Jun 4, 2008 besides maybe replaceing the barrel after maybe 30,000+ rounds, and the mandatory replacement of the Mainspring and Recoil Spring after every couple thousand rounds or so, nothing should really have to be replaced if you got a high quality pistol. maybe a tightening of the slide/frame fit here or there, but thats about it. you might have to replace the slide after a while, but that may never happen. as for the frame, you will have that one for a lifetime. when the Marines where first building the MEU(SOC) pistols, they used old WW II surplus frames they had in an armory, all of which had over 30,000 rounds in them and dated back all the way to the 30's. #13 · Jun 4, 2008 I would interject the staggering notion that at WWB FMJ prices, 30,000 rounds of 45 ACP ammo would cost $12,000? If I could ever afford that I ain't gonna be too worried about buying new barrels now and then?:biglaugh: #14 · Jun 4, 2008

RandyP said: I would interject the staggering notion that at WWB FMJ prices, 30,000 rounds of 45 ACP ammo would cost $12,000?... Click to expand...

Yep, if I could afford to buy that much ammo, then how long a gun will last or which MIM part will break first, would be the least of my concerns. 0 Reply #15 · Jun 4, 2008 But, should I put $12,000.00 worth of ammo through a G.I. or a Mil-Spec? I'd save almost $100 on the G.I. . . . #16 · Mar 27, 2009 sorry to bring back an old thread. can this be stickied, great information here 0 Reply #17 · Mar 27, 2009 (Edited) One of my Kimbers has between 45K and 50K through it. Original barrel and I've always shot jacketed ammo. I do see an accuracy drop off at distances but not at 50 feet or less. One of my Baers has over 25K down it and I don't notice any drop off in the shooting. Our range rental Kimbers typically lasted 90K - 120K rounds before we sold them. They would still be fine with new barrels and some parts replacement. Our SA GI's have about 40K down each. Still shoot like they did new. (As much as I don't care for them, the Glocks go over 500K with nothing but normal maintenance and parts replacments.) Insert Quotes Post Reply

1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
15. ?
16. ?
17. ?
18. ?
19. ?
20. ?

posts 7.9M members 221K Since 2000 A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Show Less Full Forum Listing Explore Our Forums General Gun Discussion Gunsmithing & Troubleshooting Colt Reloading Bench Springfield Armory

Our Vendors

View All

• N Nighthawk Custom Forum

Top Contributors this Month

View All D dankwell 383 Replies Michael W Cuber 300 Replies E ether 206 Replies

Recommended Communities

1911 Addicts 54K members Glock Gun Forum 304K members The 2025+ Toyota Camry 20 members

• Home
• Forums
• Hardware & Accessories
• Gunsmithing & Troubleshooting