[Aedrick]

Hi, all. Is there a breaking-in protocol for new pistols? I've just been shooting and cleaning as I felt like it, but I was talking to some people at the store, and they were saying there were instructions. My 92FS, Walther and Glocks never included any instructions for breaking-in. Any suggestions?

 

[Crusader Smithy]

Other than breaking in the barrel like you would a rifle there is no secret system to break in the pistol.

 

[Dustin WJ]

I don't know if there is a proper procedure, but my Glock has worked perfectly from the first time I ever fired it.

 

[Crusader Smithy]

I don't know if there is a proper procedure, but my Glock has worked perfectly from the first time I ever fired it.

Thats typically the way it happens. A pistol barrel is so shot that you won't see a difference in accuracy if you don't break it in. It does make the barrel last longer though. There again you won't see much difference because of the short length of the pistol barrel.

 

[GeneticsDave]

So what do you do to break in a new rifle? Just run a lot of rounds through it?

 

[Crusader Smithy]

Breaking in a barrel is really all about the process of it. You are getting the burrs off the lands and grooves and cleaned out of the bore. For instance, for the first 20 rounds clean the bore well after each round. Next 20 rounds clean the bore well after every 2 rounds. For the next 50 rounds clean after every 5 rounds. Finish up with the last 50 rounds cleaning after every 10 rounds.
I've seen a couple sets of round counts the important part is going from cleaning after every round (the majority of the burrs are getting knocked down and cleaned out at this point) then adding a couple rounds between cleaning, a few more and a few more between cleaning. By doing this you are not only removing burrs but polishing the lands and grooves before you start hammering rounds through it. The process will help maintain the accuracy inherant in manufacturing of the barrel and lengthen the life of the bore.

 

[GeneticsDave]

Cool! That's why I love this place, I learn something new every day! :crown:

 

[apollosmith]

Joseph certainly knows more than me, but his recommendation is a bit more aggressive than most I've read. For my new Remington 700, I cleaned every round for the first 6, between every 3 rounds for the next 9, then between every 6 for... I haven't gotten that far, but will clean it often for several more boxes.

The gist of it is spot on though - clean A LOT for the first box or so of bullets that go through the gun and then regularly thereafter for several boxes. And use a good bore cleaner. I also recommend a bore snake to make it easy. Also, be sure to initially shoot the same ammo you plan to shoot at critical times. In other words, don't shoot range ammo to break in the barrel, then expect your premium hunting ammo to be as accurate because the barrel is now conditioned to the range ammo.

Update: I just noticed that the question was regarding a pistol barrel. In my opinion, very little barrel break in is required for a pistol. Still clean frequently at first, but I just don't think it's going to make nearly as big a difference as with a high quality rifle barrel.

 

[Crusader Smithy]

The gist of it is spot on though - clean A LOT for the first box or so of bullets that go through the gun and then regularly thereafter for several boxes. And use a good bore cleaner. I also recommend a bore snake to make it easy. Also, be sure to initially shoot the same ammo you plan to shoot at critical times. In other words, don't shoot range ammo to break in the barrel, then expect your premium hunting ammo to be as accurate because the barrel is now conditioned to the range ammo.

Update: I just noticed that the question was regarding a pistol barrel. In my opinion, very little barrel break in is required for a pistol. Still clean frequently at first, but I just don't think it's going to make nearly as big a difference as with a high quality rifle barrel.

Spot on brother. Good additions too.