BudsGunShop.com - Breaking in a new semi handgun.
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Any recommendations for breaking in a new, out of the box handgun(9mm) (Ammo type, cleaning frequency, things to avoid, etc.)?
13 Answers

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Every gun is different is how long it takes to break in, However; this is a simple guide line that will work with most guns. First, make sure the firearm is pointed in a safe direction! Second, make sure the firearm is not loaded. Then clean your gun making sure most factory grease is removed. Next, lubricate the gun lightly. Now just work the gun after making sure the chamber is clear. Just work the gun by pulling back the slide,work the slide release, work the hammer if the weapon has one, manipulate the safety to the on and off position and just work the magazine release. Now usually your ready for the range! Select a brand of ammo you prefer or buy multiple boxes of different brands and types of ammo to find what runs best but for just breaking in a gun full metal jackets will do just fine. For a 9mm 100-200 should do for breaking in purposes in my experience. After every twenty rounds or so let the gun cool down and clean the gun, a thorough cleaning is not necessary unless you feel like it is, a simple bore-snake or patch down the barrel will do just fine.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness! Being said, take a part and clean good. Good quality oil afterwards as you understand every part putting back together. I have always found after that, slide back in a open locked position and let stay that way for about 12-24 hours to assist in breaking in of the springs, etc. Once that is done, take out and fire off 100-150 rounds to get comfortable with the firearm. Take it apart for a clean/lube again and check the parts to look for any abnormalities or improper wear.
First, get familiar with where everything is, how it works, what it does. Pull, push, tinker till u learn how it feels and how to break it down. Put a lite coat of oil on it and load with the manuals recommended ammo. Fire away!! Safety First!!
Breaking it in never use hot ammo. Use a lower grain for the first 100 shots and you'll feel the difference in your gun.
I have found machine work partials left behind from manufacturer. Absolutely clean first. Doing so also familiarzies you with your firearm. Nothing like the smell of gun oil.
I have found machine work partials left behind from manufacturer. Absolutely clean first. Doing so also familiarzies you with your firearm. Nothing like the smell of gun oil.
I have found machine work partials left behind from manufacturer. Absolutely clean first. Doing so also familiarzies you with your firearm. Nothing like the smell of gun oil.
Best thing to do is to follow the manufacturers recommendations in the owners manual/guide. If they don't mention break in period then try to contact them via their website. I haven't done a thing to my semi pistols until after I ran a about 20 rounds through them since they all looked to be in good condition right out of the box. After a few rounds then I break down to the slide, clean, oil/grease and call it good. Oil and grease kept to a minimum.
Not all handguns have a break in just make sure to put oil on the parts that are recommended by manufacturers
Disassemble, clean it, and lube it up. make sure you're looking for defects during that process. Run it with 100-200 rounds, then disassemble and clean it again, lube afterwards. It should be good to go at that point.
I disassemble my new gun and give it a good cleaning. I want to make sure that any metal shavings from manufacture are removed. I tend to lubricate my guns very sparingly, because I feel that excess lubrication attracts and holds dirt. Once you have given your new gun its first cleaning, you are set to enjoy.
Run the gun wet (with a CLP like FP-10) especially if it is stainless steel. If it's a 1911 style run it wet enough so that the lube comes out of the back of the rails and when that stops happening put more on. This will prevent galling of the metal.
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Its simple just inspect your pistol first then clean the bore. Then field strip and clean. Nothing fancy. Put some lube in the places where you'd normally put lube in the pistol and fire the pistol about 200 times with any ammo that you can afford. All you're trying to do is break in the springs in the pistol and just taking it to the range and blowing a few hundred rounds will do the job. Almost all modern pistols are built very well and don't need as much break in as they did before. Clean and lube after you're done at the range and you're all good.