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Thread: How many rounds before you consider an AR "good to go"?

  1. #11
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    Ill run 300-500 rds through it, get it sighted in, then run drills and such to get it hot.

    After 500rds or so, clean and inspect. If it all looks good, id trust it.

    That said, the longer it runs, the more i trust it, but you need to know when to start replacing parts as well.

  2. #12
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    The problem with this is that you can test the gun to destruction and then say to yourself, "Man, that was a good one. Maybe I shouldn't have run it into the ground."

    As others have said, you can put any number of rounds through it and the next round may malfunction.

    Instead of trying to come up with an arbitrary figure, which will have as many opinions as there are people, it would be better to stick to a set of criteria:

    1. Start with a quality weapon. Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, etc., is half the game right there.
    2. Buy quality magazines.
    3. Shoot only good quality ammo (no reloads or off brands you never heard of or are of questionable origin).
    4. Test each magazine you plan to use with your quality ammo.
    5. Learn malfunction drills and rock on.

    There really is no "right" answer to the number of rounds needed to feel confident in your weapon. I employ 1 through 5 and apply it to EVERY weapon.

  3. #13
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    I usually alternate between shooting slowly for accuracy and heating the gun up via faster firing, but it does sound like perhaps I could stand to be shooting higher round counts per session as my range trips tend to be more on the order of 100-250 rounds, spaced out over a period ranging from a few days to a couple weeks depending on how often I can get to the range.

    I should perhaps point out that most of my ARs are home builds but I try to use as many quality parts as feasible.
    I say "as feasible" because some builds require deviation from the "Colt, BCM, DD" model - namely the Retro builds that really aren't intended as first-line "serious business" guns. But I still like to run them enough so I feel relatively confident they could be pressed into the role if need be.
    Last edited by Circle_10; 03-05-18 at 14:50.

  4. #14
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  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Circle_10 View Post
    With handguns I've read 500-1000 rounds with at least 100 of that being your chosen defensive load, with no more than like two malfunctions, quoted fairly often as a figure for how many rounds you should put through the gun before using it for home defense or CCW, so I generally adhere to that.
    I've never agreed with burning a set number of rounds to 'vet' a weapon. I shoot the weapon with practice practice ammo to determine general function and then fire enough rounds to ensure the following with duty/carry rounds with duty/carry magazines:

    1) Slide locked to rear - insert full magazine - release slide using mag release, fire one round, drop mag, clear weapon to see if second round fed, repeat exercise with all carry mags fully loaded;

    2) Slide locked to rear - insert full magazine - pull and release slide, fire one round, drop mag, clear weapon to see if second round fed, repeat exercise with all carry mags fully loaded;

    3) Slide forward on empty chamber, insert full magazine, cycle action, fire one round, drop mag, clear weapon to see if second round fed, repeat exercise with all carry mags fully loaded;

    4) Slide forward on loaded chamber, insert fully loaded mag, fire one round, drop mag, clear weapon to see if second round fed, repeat exercise with all carry mags fully loaded;

    5) Slide forward on loaded chamber, insert magazine with one round loaded, fire one round to see if feeds rounds from partially loaded magazine, fire second round to ensure lock back on empty mag, repeat for each carry mag.

    You can repeat the exercise using a loose shooting grip, with hands wet (sweaty), or using gloves if you choose.

    I generally have three to five carry mags per pistol. generally arouns 100 practice rounds and 30 to 50 duty rounds and I'm happy that it is okay to carry.

    I clean my carry pistols after firing.

    I did essentially the same thing with the 'bedroom' AR - I made sure I repeated the tests with the rifle out of my shoulder. I practice with it regularly, and it gets cleaned and function checked (with dummies) after each range session.

    Other stuff, I just shoot and fix as needed.
    Last edited by 26 Inf; 03-05-18 at 16:12.

  6. #16
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    In addition to the two ARs I've been messing with, I'm also in the middle of wringing out a new VP9SK with the intention of carrying it, I'll give your procedure a try, thank you.

  7. #17
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    If you buy a Colt, BCM or LMT awesomeness, the number might be less. If its a frankenburger gun, pretty much never IMHO. Because the shit show could show its arse at any time. So never think if you bought off brand , your GTG, even though the averages favor you if you test it rigorously .

    PB
    "Air Force / Policeman / Fireman / Man of God / Friend of mine / R.I.P. Steve Lamy"

  8. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pappabear View Post
    If you buy a Colt, BCM or LMT awesomeness, the number might be less. If its a frankenburger gun, pretty much never IMHO. Because the shit show could show its arse at any time. So never think if you bought off brand , your GTG, even though the averages favor you if you test it rigorously .
    PB
    Not all frankenburger's are the same. A early 90's Bushmaster lower with a Colt lpk, Geissele SSA trigger, Vltor A5, Tangodown pistol grip with a BCM EAG upper is a frankenburger that works pretty good.

  9. #19
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    If you use quality parts you can probably trust your rifle after a couple hundred rounds or so. I think it would be important to learn proper maintenance so your weapon is always good to go, and learn what to do when parts wear out.

  10. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pappabear View Post
    If you buy a Colt, BCM or LMT awesomeness, the number might be less. If its a frankenburger gun, pretty much never IMHO. Because the shit show could show its arse at any time. So never think if you bought off brand , your GTG, even though the averages favor you if you test it rigorously .

    PB
    I think someone should probably go over to the custom build forum and tell those guys like docsherm that they really should stop building their undependable, crappy AR's and start drinking the Kool-Aid, and buy some complete AR's, because those are the only AR's that are dependable and worthy.
    "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
    ~ Sam Houston

    “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.”
    ~ Sam Adams

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