How many rounds to trust a new carry gun?
- Thread starter baddarryl
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
There's no guarantee, of course, when or if a shootin' iron will fail to deliver.
From my own experience, the ones that proved themselves a poor choice did so within the first 500 rounds or so.
There's a big difference between a gun of poor quality and flaws and one that just needs maintenance to run perfectly.
To add to the confusion, some are just picky about ammo.
Nothing wrong with them after discovering what they digest and what they don't.
From my own experience, the ones that proved themselves a poor choice did so within the first 500 rounds or so.
There's a big difference between a gun of poor quality and flaws and one that just needs maintenance to run perfectly.
To add to the confusion, some are just picky about ammo.
Nothing wrong with them after discovering what they digest and what they don't.
I say at least 200 but probably more...
I've shot lots of new pistols that hang up in some way first on the first couple of magazines. It should be of no alarm if the first 200 have a hiccup... After that, if it don't run smooth, sell it or send it back for warranty or whatever...
Stoppages can happen at any time, but they should be minimal.
Make sure it runs on whatever hollow point or defensive ammo that you will carry. Some ammo feeds better than others
I've shot lots of new pistols that hang up in some way first on the first couple of magazines. It should be of no alarm if the first 200 have a hiccup... After that, if it don't run smooth, sell it or send it back for warranty or whatever...
Stoppages can happen at any time, but they should be minimal.
Make sure it runs on whatever hollow point or defensive ammo that you will carry. Some ammo feeds better than others
On another approach...
When our agency transferred from Beretta to Sig- it wasn't so much a question (by the agency) of trustworthiness of the pistols as it was familiarity. I can see that- kind of a big difference between the two.
What they determined was a safe way to go was to implement a 200 draw (familiarity with new holster), a 250rnd familiarization shoot, and a 50rnd qualification.
I don't think it would be fair to say that the $$ you paid or the reputation of the pistol (loosely grouping the terms) deserves a blanket statement of "You bought a handgun- you MUST have X number of rounds through it to determine if it passes muster." You bought a CZ P07, not a Kel-Tec P11, Leinad, Jennings, etc- That said, I kinda suspect that 50 rounds ought to tell you if the pistol will work or not. And another 150 should determine if you can work well with the pistol.
I applaud the guys who have the time, $, and resources to say they never trust a weapon until they have 500-1000 (or whatever magical number)rounds down range. Truth is- you bought a pistol with a good track record, and may be hindered by having to jump straight from the Glock to the CZ without having another (or whole drawer full) of backup weapons that have a magical number of surety rounds fired through them.
In my opinion? Clean the CZ, lube as normal, squirt a box of 50 through it. If there are no major hiccups, then give yourself some time for practice draws and dry fires.
Enjoy your new CZ!
When our agency transferred from Beretta to Sig- it wasn't so much a question (by the agency) of trustworthiness of the pistols as it was familiarity. I can see that- kind of a big difference between the two.
What they determined was a safe way to go was to implement a 200 draw (familiarity with new holster), a 250rnd familiarization shoot, and a 50rnd qualification.
I don't think it would be fair to say that the $$ you paid or the reputation of the pistol (loosely grouping the terms) deserves a blanket statement of "You bought a handgun- you MUST have X number of rounds through it to determine if it passes muster." You bought a CZ P07, not a Kel-Tec P11, Leinad, Jennings, etc- That said, I kinda suspect that 50 rounds ought to tell you if the pistol will work or not. And another 150 should determine if you can work well with the pistol.
I applaud the guys who have the time, $, and resources to say they never trust a weapon until they have 500-1000 (or whatever magical number)rounds down range. Truth is- you bought a pistol with a good track record, and may be hindered by having to jump straight from the Glock to the CZ without having another (or whole drawer full) of backup weapons that have a magical number of surety rounds fired through them.
In my opinion? Clean the CZ, lube as normal, squirt a box of 50 through it. If there are no major hiccups, then give yourself some time for practice draws and dry fires.
Enjoy your new CZ!
I think some of it depends upon design. A modern service weapon like a Glock or SW M&P takes less rounds through it to insure reliability, IMO, than any 1911. And I often carry a 1911 and love them.
For reliability, 100 trouble free rounds or so through a modern designed full sized pistol with a good reputation. About 200-250 trouble free FMJ rounds and 50 trouble free rounds of the specific hollow points to be used from a 1911.
For reliability, 100 trouble free rounds or so through a modern designed full sized pistol with a good reputation. About 200-250 trouble free FMJ rounds and 50 trouble free rounds of the specific hollow points to be used from a 1911.
I honestly expect a gun to go bang every time I pull the trigger from the first shot to the next. Now my comfort level goes up after I pass milestones like 250, 500, and so on. I usually start carrying after 250. The only time I had issues was with ammo so every time that happens comfort level drops back down.
I practice drawing and dry firing so muscle memory is less of an issue so I can focus on mechanical failures.
I practice drawing and dry firing so muscle memory is less of an issue so I can focus on mechanical failures.
Onward Allusion
New member
I'm old school. Unless it is a revolver, 300 to 500 rounds for any semi auto to be used for self-defense. It's not just about reliability but also getting used to the fit and function in my hands.
BTW ^^^^^ "1", I seriously hope that was tongue-in-cheek or it was being said about a range toy.
BTW ^^^^^ "1", I seriously hope that was tongue-in-cheek or it was being said about a range toy.
I would think about 100 rounds are adequate to determine if the gun was manufactured properly and is in expected firing condition, but reality is that semi-autos are not as inherently reliable as a quality revolver. I have an old Ruger P97 that never, ever had a problem for many years and then had a FTF at the range (using the same ammo I have fired for years). I have NEVER had a single failure of any kind with any of the five S&W revolvers that I own, even when I have fired one after letting it sit untouched and unlubricated for a few years. That said, my most commonly carried handgun is a Ruger LC9s that has been flawless so far, and I started carrying it after firing about 150 rounds at the range and found it is a gun that I can fire well and enjoy shooting (has an excellent stock trigger, in my opinion).
I don't own any revolvers, so I haven't any opinion there.
On all my semi autos I'll normally shoot 150 rounds of ball ammo through them. Then I'll load 4 magazines with ammo of varying brand and bullet configurations and shoot them. If the pistol will shoot through those 4 magazines without a FTF or FTE I consider it safe to carry.
I've never had one I've done that way fail me.
On all my semi autos I'll normally shoot 150 rounds of ball ammo through them. Then I'll load 4 magazines with ammo of varying brand and bullet configurations and shoot them. If the pistol will shoot through those 4 magazines without a FTF or FTE I consider it safe to carry.
I've never had one I've done that way fail me.
I have had a CZ P-07 for several years now. Absolutly love it! Natural fit, no abusive kick and it goes bang evey time no matter what ammo i put in it. Can't say that for the first 100 rounds thru my 1911r1s. By the way, great trigger. That Omni trigger is great out of the box. You may have trouble finding mags for it. Only factory ones out there.
Sparks1957
New member
What happens when 4 clips just isn't enough?
