Longevity of bore in centerfire pistols.

[Desert_Seagull]

On average, using standard velocity FMJ ammo how many rounds can be fired without seeing serious decrement in accuracy due to wear of the barrel? Let's say our pistol in this hypothetical question is a standard military issue 1911A1. Also, how obvious would this wear be to the untrained eye? My apologizes for the unsolicited questions, but I'm planning on purchasing a used pistol in the near future and I'm not so keen on getting screwed.
-Thanks in advance,
Desert_Seagull

 

[Jim V]

I guess, the answer would be "lots". I shot out a 1911 barrel once and it was well worn when I got it. The rifling was gone except for the first 1/3 of the barrel when I replaced it. I had put something between 50,000 - 75,000 thru it before the barrel transplant was needed. I was not keeping an exact count. I was still able keep MOF accuracy.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

 

[singleshot]

As long as the standard is a stock pistol, I'm not sure you'd ever see a decline in accuracy until, as Jim, said the barrel was worn out. I agree with on the life of the barrel too, for I've seen a match gun with only 1/3 of the rifling at the muzzle remaining and it still shot pretty well.

For really well fitted guns you will see a small decline after many thousands of rounds. But this has nothing to do with the barrel it's simply getting loose due to normal wear on the slide/frame fit and the lockup. This can usually be restored with a minimum effort by a good gunsmith.