Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

gun break-in

bluecollar
Good mornin everyone, just got my paycheck for a 100+ hour week and thought I'd put it to good use. The thing is, this will be my first time buying a factory fresh, never fired rifle besides a .22, and was curious to any break-in methods that will improve the quality of the tool. Any info or advice would be appreciated. Thanks
0

Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • bluecollar
    Forgot to mention that it is a magnum caliber single-action revolver

    "We must all fear evil men, but there is another kind of fear we must fear most...and that is the indifference of good men"
    0
  • gotstolefrom
    Search here for barrel break in. This has been covered many times before, but I will try to hit the high points that are usually posted.

    Some folks say it is BS, some swear by it. Either way, if you do it reasonably you will not do any harm and you may have a bbl that fouls less and is easier to clean.

    First DO NOT use the abrasive projectiles that you load as a reloaded round and fire through the bbl.

    Most folks recommend something like this:
    Clean bbl before use. Let bbl COOL between firings.
    Fire one round and clean - repeat this 5 times.
    Fire five rounds and clean - repeat 3 to 5 times
    Fire ten rounds and clean, then evaluate bbl condition.
    Evaluate by seeing how much one or two rounds foul the bore. Things should have improved over the cleaning after a single round in the beginning (unless the bbl was in excellent shape already).

    You may want to use a 'bore paste' sparingly when cleaning to polish any rough spots. (bore paste is just a MILD abrasive - a polishing compound) 'Butches Bore Paste' is common, but just follow the directions on the tube of whatever polishing cream you use).


    good luck and enjoy

    PS....I just saw your revision on weapon type ...I thought you said A RIFLE purchase....You don't hear much about this for a pistol. But as mentioned, if you do this conservatively, it should not harm anything.


    If we do not hang together,
    We will most certainly hang separately.
    0
  • mrbruce
    Be sure to clean it very, very good before you fire it. They use a preservative on them and it needs to be cleaned, you will find all sorts of stuff in it at first, especially the inside of the barrel.
    Most everyone agrees to a point that you should fire it one time and clean it for the first 5 shots, and that is to clean it right down to bare metal between each and every shot for 5 shots. Then 2 shots between cleaning to bare metal again for 10 shots. Then 3 shots and clean for 10 more shots, again to bare metal. Then you can go to 5 shot groups before again cleaning to bare metal.
    A real good barrel makes it a easy thing to do. What you are doing is ironing the bore of any tiny tool marks. If you don't I figure that your just imbedding copper, and burnt powder into all those tiny cracks, and you keep filling them up, and then it's hard to get rid of it. It will take a little time but is well worth it in the end results. It's the way I have always done it anyway.

    Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.
    0
  • He Dog
    I am one who is inclined to think the breakin routines are largely the result of superstition, but pro ball players are a superstitious lot and pros. Gotstolefrom is correct, it cannot hurt!
    0
  • gunnut505
    The barrel break-in routine will actually remove high spots, tool marks, excessive protruberances that collect metal & carbon, and result in a smooth barrel surface that will be easier to clean; if done right.
    Getcherself a new quarter. Feel the sharp edges? Stick it in your pocket for a month with all your other change. Feel any sharp edges?

    This illustration is too easy.

    "Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit" --OVID
    0
  • ern98
    The other have covered this subject well, as usual. The only point I'd like to make is that how seriously I'd break in a barrel would be dependant on caliber and use. A Marlin guide gun (18.5" barrel) in 45-70 wouldn't get the amount of breaking in attention that I'd give to a 25-06, 24". The first being a close in brush gun and the other a long range rig. Also the amount of break in needed may well be in proportion to the quality/cost of the barrel. Lower end barrels, still often with excellent possible accuracy, will ususally need more break in the a high end custom hand lapped barrel.
    0
  • je2140
    What type of solvent would you suggest for the cleaning during rifle breakin, something like Hoppes #9, or something specifically designed for copper fouling?

    JR
    0
  • He Dog
    Everyone seems to have their own favorite and most probably do a pretty good job. Lots of guys like Shooters Choice, a lot of us like Blue Wonder, plenty like Hoppe's. All will probably serve well enough for breaking in a rifle. I am probably the only living American shooter who cannot stand the odor of Hoppes.
    0
  • njretcop
    Experts will and do disagree on this subject.......I myself am on the side of those who feel that gun break-in is a myth!!!!

    njretcop@copmail.com

    vic.jpgdd.art
    Charlie
    0
  • asop
    Go to gun breakin on web. Tons have been written about it. Hand guns arn't too critical, rifles are. Some good stuff on web check it out. Stay Safe...........................................
    0
  • asop
    Go to gun breakin on web. Tons have been written about it. Hand guns arn't too critical, rifles are. Some good stuff on web check it out. Stay Safe...........................................
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity