How long should a Pistol Last

[Mike1951]

When S&W introduced the Sigma, the SW380 .380acp was estimated to have a useful life of about 2000 rounds.

Needless to say, I passed.

[marksiwel]

When S&W introduced the Sigma, the SW380 .380acp was estimated to have a useful life of about 2000 rounds.

Needless to say, I passed.

[Mike1951]

SW380

http://glocktalk.com/forums/archive/ind ... 92885.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Excerpts:

Also, it may be worth noting that the SW380 only had a projected service life of a few thousand rounds due to the Zamak (zinc alloy) slide.

If S&W would make the slide out of carbon steel, they might be able to make it last a bit longer than a couple of thousand rounds.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245096" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Excerpts:

The SW380 was called a Sigma, but it really was a different design. Frankly, you'll be better with something else. The slides were not even made of steel. Some kind of zinc alloy. These guns took the "shoot little, carry a lot" maxim to an extreme. As I recall, the service life projected by S&W was somewhere around 2,000-3,000 rounds.

Specifically designed to have a limited service life in order to be sold cheaper. Not designed for enthusiasts but for the type of owner who will just throw it in a drawer.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wess ... -good.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I believe they gave a round count of 2500 to replace the slide, that's fine when you could get a replacement for $50, but I doubt they even make parts for them anymore.

[flynbenny]

Regular maintenance just like a car needs, and a Glock can last a long time. I've seen original Gen 1 Model 17's with over 150K and other than a couple spring changes all original parts. The Bersa 380 I had was constructed of very cheap steel and aluminum, I don't think it would last past 3500 after 500 it was showing a ton of wear on the frame. Ditto for the P22 I owned, I don't think it will be around 20 yrs from now like my Ruger 22/45. Even my Beretta U22 isn't the most sturdy pistol, it's in for major repair after about 5k, but I wasn't expecting a lot for $200. It's got a better trigger than the Ruger and just a bit more accurate, but the plastic and aluminum frame hampers the longevity issue. I was holding an old Hi Standard 22 today in a store, I bet that thing has had thousands through it, looks almost new, and I bet 20 years from now it still will, provided it finds a good home.

Long guns have a shorter life generally I think:
I've been told that aluminum receiver shotguns like my Winchester 1300's are good for 10k rds, then the receiver will crack where the barrel attaches. A rifle is generally going to have to be rebarreled occasionally, especially with extra high velocity chamberings (eg 204 Ruger, 220 Swift) due to the throat of the barrel being eroded if I'm not mistaken. A normal chambering should go for 4-8k. A chrome lined AR barrel should last 30k, but rapid fire will shorten the life of any barrel.

In general I think the pistol crowd has the edge in longevity. I love some of my late grandpa's rifles, but they won't group as well as a 400 buck Wallyworld special Remington. But his pistols are still on par with most anything made today. The P38 still locks up good and tight!

[CompVest]

I have two handguns that have over 100,000 rounds through them and one with over 50,000. One is a hand built mongrel 1911. I have replaced the barrel on this one and it is still the most accurate gun I have. The other is a Steyr M9. The only reason I retired it was because S&W came out with the M&P series. My M9 still is a great shooting gun and it gets to come out and play a couple times a year. My S&W M&P9 has over 50,000 rounds through it and it is going strong (knock on wood).

I believe four things attribute to the life of a handgun: manufactured with good materials, regular maintenance, good ammo, and replacing worn parts as needed.

[srothstein]

Well, I don't know how long it will last but I gave my son a pistol a couple years ago that was pretty old. It was the first pistol I had ever fired, about 45 years ago, and it certainly was old then. Now that 38 S&W ammo is a little harder to find, I am sure it will last longer. One of these days I will get the serial number run to get a manufacturing date, but it is a Military and Police revolver in 38 S&W (not special which won't fit), with a lanyard loop on the butt and the small crown proof marks from what I was told was British military acceptance. I was told it was of WW II vintage when I was first shown it by my father.

As a second point, remember that many of the liberals haev already said that we have over a 100 year supply of firearms in the US, even if we make no more. But we only have about a 3 year ammo supply, which is why they propose taxing ammo so high.

[E.Marquez]

When S&W introduced the Sigma, the SW380 .380acp was estimated to have a useful life of about 2000 rounds.

Needless to say, I passed.

Well I'd say that the advertising was wrong and misleading.. I've had my used unknow round count Sigma .40 S&WVE for about 9 weeks now, and I've put 1800 rounds though it as of this morning.. Headed to the range in a few hours,,,,..guess it will scrap as of this after noon

Once the mag was replaced and the feed ramp polished I have had ZERO malfunctions.... in the last 1600 rounds.

to the OP.. like many others I agree, a quality modern gun should last though many generations when shot and cleand in a normal use pattern (not 120K rounds in 5 years )
My 1985 CZ75 Frankonia Combat special had 30,000 rounds though it before I left Germany in 1988. I have since put another 65,000 though it. Other then a New Wolf spring.. it is doing just fine.. One day my son will have it.

[Mike1951]

The SW380 was called a Sigma, but it really was a different design. Frankly, you'll be better with something else. The slides were not even made of steel. Some kind of zinc alloy.

Nothing that I wrote applied to any Sigma except the SW380.

[marksiwel]

How long before the plastic in a Glock starts to break down?

[USA1]

How long before the plastic in a Glock starts to break down?

The biggest enemy of plastic is Sunlight. The second would be other environmental factors such as heat and cold.
The Sunlight causes the plasticizers to migrate from the plastic causing it to become brittle and breakdown.

Given the fact that most handguns are kept in a somewhat controlled environment means
that the polymer makeup of a Glock could last indefinitely.

Not all plastics are the same. Some are more photochemically reactive than others.
Polymer is one of the most resilient plastics produced today.

[marksiwel]

How long before the plastic in a Glock starts to break down?

The biggest enemy of plastic is Sunlight. The second would be other environmental factors such as heat and cold.
The Sunlight causes the plasticizers to migrate from the plastic causing it to become brittle and breakdown.

Given the fact that most handguns are kept in a somewhat controlled environment means
that the polymer makeup of a Glock could last indefinitely.

Not all plastics are the same. some are more photochemically reactive than others.
Polymer is one of the most resilient plastics produced today.

thank you USA1

[surprise_i'm_armed]

If the US government numbers-crunchers are keeping
statistics correctly, the upsurge in gun buying since Obama
got elected should have helped to elevate the sales of "durable goods".

"Durable goods" are those which are designed to last 3 years or
more. The most common examples would be industrial hardware,
motor vehicles, and home appliances.

Since weapons should easily have a life longer than 3 years, I would
like to think that all weapons sold are being counted in the "durable
goods" component of the US GDP.

SIA