Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? - The Firearms Forum

dbltap · 01-18-2011, 09:11 PM

Just bought a 1911 entry level 1911 but want to know if breaking in the barrel is the same as a rifle to enhance the accuracy. It's a 9mm STI that I plan on shooting bullseye with.

My break in formula is 5X5. 5 shots with cleaning between each shot.
Then 5 shots with cleaning between every 5 shots with a total of 35 shots fired. Good enough?

Thanks

johnlives4christ · 01-18-2011, 10:42 PM

id say it sounds good.

redwing carson · 01-18-2011, 11:19 PM

I have found the break in with JB Bore cleaner to work very well rifle or handgun. Your fire arm will not lead up or copper foul as quick with this process. If you can not find it at your local gun shop go to Brownells they have it.

RC

muddober · 01-19-2011, 12:04 AM

I am not saying I am right but I never "break in" a handgun. I do break in rifles much like you described but I also have a bore scope and some bores take more breaking in than others and the bore scope can really tell you what is going on. As a matter of fact a bore scope could cause you to get rid of some rifles because of how bad even brand new rifling is.

As for handguns as a general rule work at velocities far less than rifles and copper fowling usually doesn't happen and most of my shooting is with cast bullets.

Ron

Old Grump · 01-19-2011, 03:17 PM

Go to the range, shoot up a box or two of ammo. Go home, clean gun. Repeat as often as necessary. (every chance y0u get)

Handgun break in 101. It isn't the barrel that needs to be broken in, its the moving parts of the gun.

redwing carson · 01-19-2011, 05:31 PM

Breaking in the barrel on an accurate handgun is most important. A firearm made for precision shooting on paper at 25 and 50 yds off hand must be well broken in or hand lapped or both. shooting tight groups with a handgun if anything is more difficult than a scoped rifle. Like any rifled barrel reduced fouling makes better groups.

RC

Rocketman1 · 01-19-2011, 06:52 PM

When I bought my last 9mm hand gun, I was told to shoot nothing but FMJ, for the first five hundred rounds. After that shoot what ever you want.

JLA · 01-19-2011, 07:28 PM

a barrel is a barrel imo, if its good for the goose, then its good for the gander. I break all my new firearms in with tubbs final finish no matter if its a handgun or a rifle...

TheRooster · 02-09-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

a barrel is a barrel imo, if its good for the goose, then its good for the gander. I break all my new firearms in with tubbs final finish no matter if its a handgun or a rifle...

Are you talking ammo or the Tubb Final Finish Bore Polishing System. I googled tubbs final finish and found both. I just purchased the Ruger M77 Hawkeye All-Weather model 7124 in 30-06 caliber. I have not fired it and I found this thread because i just heard about "breaking in your barrel" . I was told to shoot and to clean your rifle after your trip from the range and don't worry

This will be my new hunting rifle so i would like it to be as accurate as possible. Thanks and any links would be appreciated.

01-18-2011, 09:11 PM	#1
dbltap V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 110	Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? Just bought a 1911 entry level 1911 but want to know if breaking in the barrel is the same as a rifle to enhance the accuracy. It's a 9mm STI that I plan on shooting bullseye with. My break in formula is 5X5. 5 shots with cleaning between each shot. Then 5 shots with cleaning between every 5 shots with a total of 35 shots fired. Good enough? Thanks -->

01-18-2011, 10:42 PM	#2
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? id say it sounds good.

01-18-2011, 11:19 PM	#3
redwing carson Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: western wyoming Posts: 734	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? I have found the break in with JB Bore cleaner to work very well rifle or handgun. Your fire arm will not lead up or copper foul as quick with this process. If you can not find it at your local gun shop go to Brownells they have it. RC

01-19-2011, 12:04 AM	#4
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? I am not saying I am right but I never "break in" a handgun. I do break in rifles much like you described but I also have a bore scope and some bores take more breaking in than others and the bore scope can really tell you what is going on. As a matter of fact a bore scope could cause you to get rid of some rifles because of how bad even brand new rifling is. As for handguns as a general rule work at velocities far less than rifles and copper fowling usually doesn't happen and most of my shooting is with cast bullets. Ron

01-19-2011, 03:17 PM	#5
Old Grump Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Little hut in the woods near Blue River Wisconsin Posts: 2,292	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? Go to the range, shoot up a box or two of ammo. Go home, clean gun. Repeat as often as necessary. (every chance y0u get) Handgun break in 101. It isn't the barrel that needs to be broken in, its the moving parts of the gun. __________________ "When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."~~- Thomas Jefferson Roman Catholic, Life Member of American Legion, VFW, Wisconsin Libertarian party, Wi-FORCE, WGO, NRA, JPFO, GOA, SAFand CCRKBA

01-19-2011, 05:31 PM	#6
redwing carson Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: western wyoming Posts: 734	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? Breaking in the barrel on an accurate handgun is most important. A firearm made for precision shooting on paper at 25 and 50 yds off hand must be well broken in or hand lapped or both. shooting tight groups with a handgun if anything is more difficult than a scoped rifle. Like any rifled barrel reduced fouling makes better groups. RC

01-19-2011, 06:52 PM	#7
Rocketman1 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 1,100	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? When I bought my last 9mm hand gun, I was told to shoot nothing but FMJ, for the first five hundred rounds. After that shoot what ever you want. __________________ There is no such thing as a gun accident. Irresponsible gun owners cause so-called gun accidents.

01-19-2011, 07:28 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Breaking in a handgun, same as rifle??? a barrel is a barrel imo, if its good for the goose, then its good for the gander. I break all my new firearms in with tubbs final finish no matter if its a handgun or a rifle... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!