How many rounds to trust a pistol?
- Thread starter baddarryl
- Start date
Rangerrich99
New member
I used to feel that i had to see a pistol fire 200 rounds consecutively in one range session to trust it.
But nowadays I've come to think that 200 is a little overkill. Now if a gun will run three consecutive magazines without a hitch, using one of my preferred carry rounds, it's good to go. YMMV.
But nowadays I've come to think that 200 is a little overkill. Now if a gun will run three consecutive magazines without a hitch, using one of my preferred carry rounds, it's good to go. YMMV.
Onward Allusion
New member
300 to 500 rounds.
Depends on the gun. Revolver, I put a box through and call it good. 1911s I put about 250-300 FMJs and 2 boxes of my choice in HP rounds. 1911s can be finicky creatures and the first 100 doesn't always give a good idea of how it'll run. For most anything else, 100-150 FMJs and a box of my choice in HP.
The trouble with this question, which is always cropping up, is that there are really three reliability issues - the gun, the ammo, and the magazine(s). It is like a three-legged stool and we all know what happens with those if any of the three legs breaks while we are sitting on it.
The gun may perform perfectly with that magazine or that ammo, yet be a boat anchor with another magazine or another ammo. Or your XYZ Co. Model X might work perfectly with everything you feed it, while my identical gun is a "jam-o-matic".
There is also another issue with ammo. I know a guy who had a good (make not relevant) pistol and felt it was very reliable. Yet he practiced with the least expensive ammo he could buy while reserving the "high price spread" for carry. One day at the range, i suggested he shoot some of his expensive ammo. Finally, he did so, with great reluctance, thinking about the cost. Well, nearly every round failed; failed to fire or failed to feed or failed to extract or failed to eject. That "ultra reliable gun" was a disaster with the ammo he would have bet his life on.
Jim
The gun may perform perfectly with that magazine or that ammo, yet be a boat anchor with another magazine or another ammo. Or your XYZ Co. Model X might work perfectly with everything you feed it, while my identical gun is a "jam-o-matic".
There is also another issue with ammo. I know a guy who had a good (make not relevant) pistol and felt it was very reliable. Yet he practiced with the least expensive ammo he could buy while reserving the "high price spread" for carry. One day at the range, i suggested he shoot some of his expensive ammo. Finally, he did so, with great reluctance, thinking about the cost. Well, nearly every round failed; failed to fire or failed to feed or failed to extract or failed to eject. That "ultra reliable gun" was a disaster with the ammo he would have bet his life on.
Jim
You just bought a new gun
Step 1: have fun with it. No major drills just shots down range. 100-200 rounds
Step 2: time to make sure your proficient and make shots on target. 100 rounds or so
Step 3: malfunction drills induced with snap caps. At least a few magazines 50-100 rounds
Step 4: defensive ammo practice. With the ammo you intend to carry at least two of each magazine you intend to carry. For a G19 with three magazines this is 90 rounds. These should be failure free
Repeat each step as desired or needed.
Step 1: have fun with it. No major drills just shots down range. 100-200 rounds
Step 2: time to make sure your proficient and make shots on target. 100 rounds or so
Step 3: malfunction drills induced with snap caps. At least a few magazines 50-100 rounds
Step 4: defensive ammo practice. With the ammo you intend to carry at least two of each magazine you intend to carry. For a G19 with three magazines this is 90 rounds. These should be failure free
Repeat each step as desired or needed.
That is a good summary, but assumes that the shooter is already experienced with a handgun of the general type as his new gun. Maybe i am just slow in learning, but I seem to recall that it took a lot more than 100 rounds to become proficient enough with a handgun to feel that I could defend myself or others without being a "menace to society." Of course I know some folks who have carry licenses (or even badges) who have never fired the gun they carry, or even any gun. I have cringed at hearing nonsense like "of course I can shoot, I saw a Western movie last week" or "shooting is instinctive, anyone can do it" or "I can hit a quarter at 200 yards fast draw, every shot."
Sure.
Jim
Sure.
Jim
How many rounds through a pistol before I'm confident that it will go bang every time, and how much practice and training is needed to be confident and proficient carrying a gun are two different things.
I think a couple of hundred rounds is plenty to test for reliability, as long as all the magazines carried are used with the ammo being carried. I also think some carry ammo should be shot regularly to ensure everything is functioning properly, including me! Proficiency for guys like me is an ongoing process that has taken many thousands of rounds. Of course your millage may vary.
I think a couple of hundred rounds is plenty to test for reliability, as long as all the magazines carried are used with the ammo being carried. I also think some carry ammo should be shot regularly to ensure everything is functioning properly, including me! Proficiency for guys like me is an ongoing process that has taken many thousands of rounds. Of course your millage may vary.
I wouldn't really base any kind of trust on round counts necessarily. Sending hundreds of rounds down range without a malfunction isn't going to mean much if the intended target can't be hit. I've seen plenty of cars that will startup and run perfectly but couldn't be trusted to bring a pregnant woman to a hospital.
Complete confidence in your ability to adequately, accurately, and wisely put down a would-be attacker or end a life threatening situation is paramount. Trust is earned. I would recommend that whatever pistol you carry be one that you can be completely confident with. If there is any doubt in your mind, then it shouldn't be carried. Know your side arm like the back of your hand. Through and through. Know what it can do and what it can't.
Complete confidence in your ability to adequately, accurately, and wisely put down a would-be attacker or end a life threatening situation is paramount. Trust is earned. I would recommend that whatever pistol you carry be one that you can be completely confident with. If there is any doubt in your mind, then it shouldn't be carried. Know your side arm like the back of your hand. Through and through. Know what it can do and what it can't.