Dungannon Gunner Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 My specific request is around the 38 Special, however I am sure others would like to hear about 45 cal. What are some tell-tale signs that the barrel needs replaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCandless Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Don't need to replace a barrel until the lands are significantly worn down and the gun won't pattern properly on paper... or... if a black powder shooter let the barrel rot... with numerous and deep pits... (have found even a Ruger Old Army like that!) Modern Steel with proper care should last you several lifetimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I have about 90,000 rounds through my " Uberti" SAA in ,45 Colt , I suspect it will go ten times that as to barrel Wearing out... With our Lead bullets I expect that the Very last thing wear-out will be the barrel... So far breakage has been one Trigger/Bolt spring and one Ejector Rod. Jabez Cowboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 With the lite loads that we use in this game, I'm not sure that anyone could wear out the barrel if the gun is maintained properly. I've put 100K through a pair of Clones and they still shoot just fine. When I bought them new, I tuned them and re- hardened the hammers. Over time I've replaced the bolts and Hands due to wear, but everything else is original. Snakebite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 You won't live that long-- LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker, SASS #43022 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I'm with the above. My current main match guns are on their third bolt springs, second set of hands, sixth or seventh ejector rods (I tend to snap off the heads during holstering) The bluing is gone on the barrel, ejector rod and front half of the cylinder. I have replaced the screws due to my ham handedness and ill fitting screwdrivers and broken the factory grips. The only thing that still looks like it is brand new is the interior of the barrel after a few brush passes and an oily mop. The only way I see the barrel ever needing replacement is if I do something pretty stupid (squibs, bulges, etc.) and that would not be considered wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I worked on CAS Single Action for 16+ years before I retired. With light to moderate loads and lead bullets, your not going to live that long. The observations of the previous answers are ALL correct. Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 If your real name is Methuselah and you have an unlimited amount of ammo, it 'might' happen in your life time. But other than the perimeters mentioned above, I doubt any of us will ever notice any inside barrel wear on our Cowboy pistols. ..........WIdder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 There is an urban legend I hear around these parts that some "Dang" shooter done wore out some barrels.......once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-Shot Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Shooting only lead bullets at the speeds we (or I) shoot them at? Eons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Rick, SASS #49739L Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I'm with the above consensus. Bought some very used Rugers in 45 Colt 14 years ago when I first started this game and, despite now owning several options to choose from, these are and have been my main match guns. With the little practice and several matches, over 100,000 rounds in that time. Bores still look good, but not new, still put an acceptable group at 50' indoors. A 308 with armor piercing might not make it that far CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Al #22045 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Many years ago, Elmer Keith mentioned wearing out the barrel of a 1911 in about 5,000 rounds, shooting jacketed bullets. I would imagine the same might apply to an older SAA shot with jacketed bullets. However, with modern steel and lead bullets, I believe a gun would last much longer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Howdy, Ive heard that benchrest shooters see deteriation at about 5k rounds. Then they retire those barrels to the varmint hunters, who shoot them for years more. That's with high power flat shooting rifle rounds using way more powder. I bought a colt one time, no grooves atall. I worked it over with rod, brush and lead remover and bingo grooves appeared as they were just full of lead... Hard to tell how long but you might ask the Ruger folks... Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Canyon Kid #43974 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 My specific request is around the 38 Special, however I am sure others would like to hear about 45 cal. What are some tell-tale signs that the barrel needs replaced? You will likely be able to shoot your single action revolver your lifetime before a barrel has to be replaced, especially with cowboy loads. This assumes the guns were cleaned properly, i.e. immediately after shooting if BP and at least once per year if shooting smokeless. You will find other things that will break on your pistols tho, springs, hands, and other after a several tens of thousands of rounds. If your guns have a transfer bar, it will break more frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelve mile REB Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Wear out a barrel well now maybe if you leave your lead bullets out in a dust storm and they pick up a lot of grit or you drop them regularly into the dirt then shoot them you might wear one to the point you would replace it. I shoot as much as anyone and my five year old Ruger's look great. The transfer bar breaks now and again but a Ruger redesign of that part has slowed that down. The bolt and springs need a little attention as well as the pawl. I've been told that it's possible to wear out the ratcheting at the rear of a cylinder but I haven't yet despite a lot of very fast doubles and more. Using the term fast as it applies to an old man that's got both feet on banana peels. So you will have the term wear which using them will cause and wear out which is not likely. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungannon Gunner Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 When you have so much leading in the barrel and it cost too much to sleeve the cylinder in .22......hey wait, never mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Bisley Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 My first thought was an answer something like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 How many rounds to 'wear out the average SAA Gunner, why are you asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 .. if a black powder shooter let the barrel rot... with numerous and deep pits... (have found even a Ruger Old Army like that!) Modern Steel with proper care should last you several lifetimes I have quite a few antique rifles and revolvers that have old pitted bores. A pitted bore does not necessarily affect accuracy. As long as the rifling is still strong, accuracy is usually fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Don't listen to these guys!! After the guns have fired 500 thousand rounds - they are totally shot!!! So you need to send them to me for disposal... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Marauder works for the government.....He's here to HELP YOU! ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Don't listen to these guys!! After the guns have fired 500 thousand rounds - they are totally shot!!! So you need to send them to me for disposal... And while waiting, Marauder will change his alias to Methuselahs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 My first thought was an answer something like... Dang I'm too slow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungannon Gunner Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 I was curious. Thanks to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker McNeely Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 How many presses do you go thru to shoot 500,000 rounds? I think I would have to hire a full time reloader to sit at my bench and try to keep up while I shoot away. Not sure the Mrs would be on board with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I know of one shooter hereabouts who has documented something over 70,000 rounds through his .357 Blackhawks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Pete SASS #42168 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I have a couple of Ruger OMVs that show no signs of wear after 14 years. No specific idea about the round count but I would guess greater than 10K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Over 45,000 through my 1959 second generation SAA. Still works just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Until the twelfth of never, and that's a long, long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Junky Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 The pistol and the SG are worry free........but the rifle more than makes up for the headaches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Box Herder, SASS 73857 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 It is a great day in Cowboy history- Creeker hinted that he might clean his guns once in a while! I can see it now- A new gunfighter coming to the dark side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.