Author Topic: How to break in new barrel?  (Read 664 times)

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Offline 300grJHP

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How to break in new barrel?
« on: April 25, 2009, 05:19:09 PM »
Is there a proper way to break in a new pistol barrel?  What difference does it make?

thanks,
300grJHP

Offline Graybeard

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2009, 05:28:55 PM »
Just shoot the heck outta it.


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Offline blhof

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2009, 05:29:03 PM »
Depends on the gun and the out of box accuracy.  My 1st Dan Wesson shot 1" groups at 25yds out of the box, you don't want to mess with that.  I've had other pistols shoot a lot worse new.  I've used large quantities of jacketed bullets on one and then tried Veral Smith's fire lapping on one and saw a dramatic improvement and have since used it on all my guns; pistols and rifles, with excellent results.  Accuracy improved and bores remained cleaner, even with cast bullets.

Offline Brett

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2009, 02:55:14 AM »
I've always subscribed to GB's method for handguns. 

For shotguns I'll burnish the barrel with OOO steel wool.

And for long guns I might polish them with a little Fritz if they are new or if the barrels look a little crusty if used.
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Offline rockbilly

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2009, 09:50:17 AM »
Some I have just shot, others I have spent long hours breaking in.  While I was in Germany years ago, a Tech-Rep from Sako visited the Rod and Gun Club on base, he recommended (on their rifles) clean the gun throughly, set up on a bench, fire a shot then clean the barrel with a brush and patched until clean, do this ten times, then fire two shots and clean, do this five times, then fire five shots and clean.  He said the barrel should be broke in at that point and capable of delivering tight groups.

I tried it on a couple of long guns, I don't know if this is the reason but they do perform well.  I never tried this on a pistol, but don't see why it wouldn't help in breaking her in.

Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2009, 12:31:56 PM »
I'm with Greybeard, Shoot'em. All any of the other meathods do is accelerate the wear, do they work, prolly. Are they nessesary? Prolly not. 8)
Badnews Bob
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Offline kansasj

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2009, 02:11:22 PM »
Bad news Bob I agree with you in every aspect, however, you need spell check
Yesterday is history--tomorrow is a mystery--today is a gift!---That is why they call it the present!

Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2009, 03:39:47 PM »
I can't argue with that. ;D
Badnews Bob
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Offline kansasj

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2009, 03:46:10 PM »
I said that sir in all respect!
Yesterday is history--tomorrow is a mystery--today is a gift!---That is why they call it the present!

Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2009, 01:28:36 AM »
my typical routine is to put 500 rounds through it the first day and then i quit babying it after that.
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Offline WolfTrap

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Re: How to break in new barrel?
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2009, 06:30:01 AM »
Load....pull trigger
Load....Pull trigger
Load....pull trigger
Load....Pull trigger
Load....pull trigger
Load....Pull trigger
There...it's broken in ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
When starting and completing a project, here's something to remember;"I can't" really means "I won't"!
WolfTrap