What do you consider "heavy usage" in a handgun?

[BillCA]

By round-count, what do you consider "heavy usage" in a handgun?

We are assuming:
- A quality built firearm
- Steel or Polymer frame
- Factory standard pressure ammo
- Normal cleaning and maintenance

What say you?

 

[PT111]

I suspect that at least 50% of all handguns are purchased, carried home, one box of bullets fired through it and then stuffed in a drawer wating on the BG to show up. Based on that I would say that any more than one box per month or even year is heavy usage or at least above average.

 

[Hawg]

I'd say 2000 rounds per month would be heavy. I don't shoot that much anymore but I used to go at least 500 rounds per week.

 

[WESHOOT2]

no choice

Over 30K/year.

Over 50K total.

Most guns, as already stated, get fired less than 500 rds in their 'life'.

(LOok at posts here, where bragging often occurs after "750" or "1200 rds so far", and WE are 'enthusiasts' LOL).

(okay, I wanna brag, too: The ONLY gun I own -not including wife's M38- with less than 750 rds through it is my NAA mini).

 

[hhersh]

I do about 1000 rounds per mo.

About 1/2 of those are .22 and most of the rest are 9mm with a few 45s scattered here and there. I think my usage is rather moderate. Hersh

 

[tony pasley]

A 45 acp 1,000 rounds per month most would consider heavy use but for a .22 that is just fun plinking. 4,000 rounds a month would just about be there.

 

[sandbag]

I have only one handgun I haven't fired.My Nambu Type 14 8mm.I can't find ammo for it that isn't outrageously expensive and I'm not sure it would even function correctly in the weapon.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Between my XD-40 and my Taurus Mil-Pro 40, I do about 240 rounds/month, 2880/year, give or take a few. My 357 revolver see's about 100 rounds/month. In my opinion, the more I shoot my pistols, the better they shoot. All the parts wear in and mesh, the triggers smooth out, they become more accurate, at least in my experience.

I also reload, so the ammo is not burning a hole in my wallet.

 

[joshua]

An average IPSC shooter will go through 500 ronds a month easy. A dedicated one will go through 1500 rounds easy.

 

[MagicMan]

I was running about 1,000 rounds through my M&P .40 before I picked up the AR & 597.

 

[ronc0011]

Back when I was shooting regularly I averaged between 800 and 1000 a month through one gun.

 

[cschwanz]

kinda depends on the gun, reason for shooting at the range, etc.

 

[BillCA]

An average IPSC shooter will go through 500 ronds a month easy. A dedicated one will go through 1500 rounds easy.

Yes, but do you think that is heavy usage of the gun or not?

The question is about what you consider heavy usage to be. Think of it as buying a used gun from someone who says they put 'x' rounds per month thru the gun for the last year.

 

[Lurch37]

The question is about what you consider heavy usage to be. Think of it as buying a used gun from someone who says they put 'x' rounds per month thru the gun for the last year.

When you put it that way...and if I'm looking to buy...500 a month for a year would be a bunch, and I would look elsewhere unless the price was quite low.

 

[putteral]

I average about 400 rounds a week divided up between 2 45's 1 9mm and 1 380 auto.

 

[PT111]

Quote:

The question is about what you consider heavy usage to be. Think of it as buying a used gun from someone who says they put 'x' rounds per month thru the gun for the last year.

When you put it that way...and if I'm looking to buy...500 a month for a year would be a bunch, and I would look elsewhere unless the price was quite low.

Interesting comments. I suppose what would be considered heavy use would depend on whether you were buying or selling.

 

[j1132s]

When comparing w/ normal people, yes, 500 rounds/month on a pistol is _very_ "heavy usage". I don't think this usage will damage a quality pistol.

 

[starshooter231]

I had to vote for 2000 per month because I generally shoot about 200-300 per trip to the range. I have had my 1911 for a month and a half and already put 1100 rounds through it.

As for the 1 box of ammo through it and then put it away that is rediculous to me. How can you expect to be truely competent with a firearm if you don't practice with it? But that is just me.

 

[Dallas13]

I am in the 500-600 range per month. Ammo prices are holding me back from the good ole days.

 

[mikejonestkd]

For me, any centerfire that gets over 500 a month is pretty heavy use, especially at today's cost for ammo.

For .22s it is easy to go 1000+ a month in some of my plinkers. i am closing in on 30K since i have owned one of my pistols and close to 20K on a few others.