Author Topic: Gun longevity with the .45 ACP? (Read 1485 times)

His lordship. · « **on:** July 30, 2003, 03:41:49 PM »

The Colt 1911 has been around along time and has been popular with the pistol marksmen and combat shooters. Has the US Army or civilians kept any records of how many rounds you can put into one before the slide, barrel, or frame needs repair or replacement? :?

To be good with a gun, practice, practice, practice. The guys who have shot at Camp Perry must really put the mileage on their guns. Do the Camp Perry people use the 230 grain bullet or something lighter?

The Ruger P series is a newer design and does anyone know how many rounds you can put into one of them before repair is needed?

Thanks

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2003, 04:14:16 PM »

Thats kind of like asking how many miles am I going to get on my new car before it breaks down. Too many factors involved. How well its maintained, If its hot rodded or not, Abused or neglected. You get what I mean. Keep good springs in it and treat it well it should last many thousands of rounds. KN

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2003, 02:39:01 AM »

Most of the 45ACP ammo fired at Camp Perry is for Bullseye shooting in conventional matches. This is typically a 185 or 200 grain bullet fired at about 800fps. These are light target loads and a gun of good quality can be expected to last a lifetime. A barrel will last about 500,000 rounds if lead bullets are used primarily. A spring will need to be replaced every ten years or so. Perhaps the slide will need to be tightened every ten years or so, but if you use the right lube and the job was done well in the first place, it probably won't.

When shooting hard ball 230 grain ammo, the longevity is much lower and guns should be magnafluxed every five to ten years, depending on usage, to check for cracks that could presage a dangerous condition, such as a slide fracture.

HWooldridge · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2003, 04:56:56 AM »

Someone else may recall the year and exact number of rounds but I recall that the Army took some 1911's to destruction in a shooting marathon that approached 1MM shots. There were multiple pistols and things did break and malfunction but the basic design held up for a very long time. I shoot about 100 rounds a month so I'd get 833 yrs out of mine.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2003, 05:00:45 AM »

Chris: Have to agree with Questor here. How long a piece of machinery willl ast depends on its use and maintenance. Lots of folks said the early colt aluminum framed Commanders would only hold up to continued use with light loads - I think mine has gone for about 10K with hardball. Many said the same about the S&W Model 19s - don't use the heavy magnum loads for a steady diet - I never had problems with those loads, only the faster blasters with light bullets and fast burning powders. Some said the same about the Browing Hi_Power- had to replace slides after 5K rounds - huh? KN is right about that too.

Use it properly and maintain it and it should go for a long time. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2003, 07:24:49 AM »

They do wear out using hardball ammo. Just before they were replaced by the Beretta a Marine Lieutenant was killed by one whose slide and broken while recoiling. At about the same time a Marine armorer of my acquaintance had the task of taking 250 of them from the armory and making as many as possible serviceable. He got 65.

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2003, 07:28:28 AM »

Another point: Try finding another model that will last longer than the 1911. I don't think you will find one.

redial · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2003, 03:57:51 PM »

If mine's any measure, the answer might well be forever. I have 20,000+ thru the Series 70 I carry every day and it's been thru Gunsite and a buh-zillion IPSC matches. Aside from the finish, it seems hardly the worse for wear.

My bullseye ballgun will likely outlast our freedom to own them! It's not unusual to hear of 50,000 thru a bullseye rig although that's usually wadcutters.

Redial

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2003, 07:22:08 AM »

Keep a good recoil spring in it and a buffer if your gun will tolerate one. Keep it clean and well lubed and it will outlast your grandchildren!
Assuming of course it's of good metalurgy to start with.
Stay Safe,
Savage

Flint · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2003, 06:25:15 AM »

I used one particular 1911 in Combat pistol and IPSC shooting for 20 years at an average of 250 rounds a month.... thata a lot of shooting, and it still shoots.

Highplainsman · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2003, 06:04:40 AM »

A glock might last as long,( I know that might be heresy on a 1911 forum) only time will tell! I'm an oldtimer, shot my first 1911 about 1960 and have been carrying and shooting them every since. I have to confess my everyday carry is a Glock G23. :eek:

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2003, 02:15:13 PM »

I have a series 70 that I have had for over 30yrs or so. The only comp. that I shot is bowling pins, but I practice with it quite a bit. I have always use full house loads. Smith worked it over when feeding problems started. To me it as good as the day I bought it, though it does show a little holster wear. I wouldn't know if the slide needed tightened its as jiggly as it was new.
Jim

1911crazy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2003, 09:32:30 AM »

Well I have had two bad colts in the past now I have an SA 1911A and its great no loose sights yet. The way to make things last is to use the right lube I can't stress it enough. I use moly lube in both paste and anti-seize form it reduces all friction/wear and galling. The bottomline is the gun doesn't wearout they even have it for the bores now too, it increases velocity because it reduces friction. Now Do I have your attention?? I use it in all my guns bolt actions, semi-auto's and handguns; pistols and revolvers too. Its not a matter of how old the gun is nor how many rounds are thru it either it doesn't matter if you moly it!!!! BigBill

I had another guy on another forum ask about the gun showing signs of wear I firget what kind of gun he had but the bluing was wearing off the slide or something and another guy answered him and said wear is normal and acceptable??? I broke in and posted any "WEAR" is not acceptable at all if your using the right lube. So i sent the guy with the wear a sample of moly lube to try. He reblued the part that was worn and gave it go. After a few hundred rounds the blue was still there. He got back to me and was convinced this moly stuff is awesome. Trust me you will see and feel the difference in the guns operation its smoother and cycles faster too. In revolvers in the sears it lessens trigger pull too. In bolt actions on lugs, cams for the resetting the firing pin and sears too. In semi-autos lube the slides, faces of the hammers(reset wear) and sears too. Its the best $20 you will ever spend!!!!!!!! Any industrial supply place will have it and there is no subsitute there is only one MOLY. Now how long will my gun last??? Mine will be passed down for many future generations to come in my family!!!!!!!!!!

And the piston/rod(oprod) in your AK too my sks's show no signs of wear at all yet and i have some since the late 80's. So if it moves moly lube it!!!
I'm retired and have nothing to gain by telling you this but the gun makers do if your gun wears out right?