James6591

Most firearms will outlast you.

Benemorte

I keep a close eye on my guns, watching for worn parts or areas. I have to admit, that I shot the barrel out of my first Mini 14, an early stainless model with "aggressive" firing. I have also had to replace the barrel twice on one of my 1911's, a Colt Combat Elite. That particular gun probably had close to 100k rounds through it by the time it was permanently retired though, already having gone through one session of having a smith adjust the slide to frame for sloppiness, I retired it when it had to be done again.

Mk210

Pretty much everyone's on target. Keep them clean and inspect for normal wear, use good ammo, and you could really keep one forever. I have 2 Mk II's and 10-22's that are well in the 50,000+ rounds count along with other makes and models with several thousands, and are still going "bang" today. Enjoy.

refugeepj

one of the reasons i buy ruger is to hand them down to my grandchildren (through my children) when the time comes. ruger builds to last. change recoil springs and maintain properly they will out last me, and i shoot them. i don't leave them in the safe.

brimic

My dad has and old 870 wingmaster that I used for shooting trap competitively for over 10 years. It has at least 100,000 rounds through it and rarely ever got cleaned.

laidlerj

That is reportedly the reason for short barrel life in .22 Swift and .22-250 rifles - I don't have a rifle in either caliber, so I don't know.

Personally, I once wore out a .308 barrel in less than 30 minutes by running several hundred rounds through it. Of course, the barrel was mounted in an M-60 machine gun and the ammo was in 100-round belts and I was able to change barrels in a few minutes.

Jim

computerdynamics

Jim,
I wish I could of been there to wear out a barrel with you!!!! ; ) OOH!!!
Tony

redmond

I agree - with decent care, just about any firearm will outlast the owner. I'm current shooting several 3rd generation guns that belonged to my Grandfather, then my Father. A gun may not outlast the owner's interest in that firearm, but that's another story.

Most firearms 'wear out' due to rust, not from being shot a certain number of rounds.

North country gal

Picked up an MKI at an auction that had been used very hard - the recoil spring rod was actually missing an ear. The gun still shot, though. Replaced the whole recoil spring assembly for $18 and the gun shoots as good as new and I mean, right alongside my fully VQ modded Mark III Comp.

I think buying a known and proven design like a Mark is a big plus when you're looking at how long a gun will last. New designs and models, well who knows? Only time will tell.

303lithgow

I wonder if some of the polymer frames will still be around in a hundred years like some of the old steel framed guns from a hundred years ago?

computerdynamics

I think polymer will become brittle over the years? Don't forget all the aluminum used either. I've seen the wear marks on the SR22, it's gotta take a toll someday?
Tony