Why you always shoot a new gun before trusting it

[dukalmighty]

I went to the range with my shooting buddy,he was showing me his brand new STI 9mm 1911,we get set up and start shooting,he fires a round,and gets a jam,clears it fires a round and another jam.I look at it and field strip and lube it thinking it's tight and possibly short stroking,he shoots another round and gets another jam,all were Failures To Eject.I field strip the gun and look at the ejector,and the ejector is broken,the protruding tip broke off and it looks like it may have happened during assembly at the factory.This was not a cheap gun,and I couldn't believe the part failed right out of the box.I told Mike that he was lucky it happened at the range and not after a couple hundred rounds when he might really need his gun to run perfect

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[stevem174]

I bet he was not happy!

[SARR001]

Absolutely. I would rather it happen when the only thing threatening me is a piece of paper.

[C Bennett]

yup because all guns dont like all ammo for various reasons. especially SD HP type ammo. I always put about 200 mixed rounds down range at least a box being my SD HP ammo and another HP ammo as a backup my Ruger SR9c likes everything except WWB..so I just avoid WWB and it runs 100%. I use seppr gold dots 124 grain and Remington UMC hollowpoints for SD.

[WHEC724]

Bummer. There's a metaphor here; Guns (like people) need to be tested before they're entrusted to the really important things, regardless of how expensive (or prestigious) they are.

[RoadRunner71]

Abso-darn-lutely! Not just a new gun either. Any time you get it back from the factory or a 'smith too. Even if it is just for sights. Make sure it works PERFECTLY before you trust it to save your life!

[ccw9mm]

Why you always shoot a new gun before trusting it

Always, always, always.

No gun is immune. Anything can happen, from minor tolerance issues at the factory, to incorrect parts or installation procedures, or a weak part. Or, just Karma.

Now, I'm all for wishing that price would be a reasonable determinant of reliability, but that'll forever remain just a hope. It isn't realistic. And, no matter the gun, whether a $96 Lorcin or a $3500 Ed Brown 1911, there is simply no way to infer reliability from something printed on paper that came in the box.

IMO, nothing changes the fact that actual testing is the only way to prove consistency and reliability. With any other product, one might consider muddling through. But with something you might well rely upon for your survival, it's simply not worth not knowing.

By the way, for STI fans out there, check out the new STI Shadow .45ACP that just came out. If you can avoid drooling, you're better than I.

[Sportsterguy]

Too bad for your friend on his brand new broken 1911. Think I would be more than slightly ticked off if that happened to me.

I ALWAYS put 250 rounds of Speer Gold Dots (my favorite round) through any semi auto weapon before I trust it. Before that I thoroughly clean/lube the pistol, magazines and shoot 100 rounds of WWB FMJ"s to slick up the rails that I have already applied Militec-1 grease to.

I then thoroughly clean, then treat and lubricate the entire pistol with Militec-1 lube and let the SGD's fly, making sure it's functioning properly. After that I consider it good to go. I also try to shoot it at least once a week but never let it go over a month without a fresh application of Militec-1 to the rails and a good wiping down.

Great advice sir! That could have cost your friend his life if you guys hadn't taken it to the range and discovered the broken ejector. Hope he's raising heck with STI on this issue.

[Hiram25]

Your friend might be more lucky than unlucky, he will get to have the weapon fixed prior to needing it for real.

[Guardian]

Good thing you were along to find out what was wrong with it. It always help to be specific when turning one back in for repair even if the whole weapon will be checked.

[BugDude]

Mechanical devices can fail, regardless of maker or price. It's a bummer to be stoked about a new weapon only to have it not work properly. A trip back to the factory and it should be a straight forward fix. Always test...you never know what could happen.

[JAT40]

I would never trust it. Fixed or not, I would want a new one.
Quality control on that one = FAIL!!!

[psycho1]

I have always, first chance I get, taken my new handgun, give it a cleaning, fire at least 100 rounds through it , clean it again.....I want to know as soon as possible if I am going to have any issues with my new pistol......... never wait !!!!!

[pirate]

Bummer. There's a metaphor here; Guns (like people) need to be tested before they're entrusted to the really important things, regardless of how expensive (or prestigious) they are.

Truer words were never spoken.

[Once Bitten]

I would never trust it. Fixed or not, I would want a new one.
Quality control on that one = FAIL!!!

It will come back better than new.
FACT: The gunsmith making the repair will pay much more attention to detail than the assembler!