question on metal fatigue?

[water witch]

I have a quick question related to the notion of metal fatigue and milsurp firearms.

I quite enjoy target shooting with WW1 pistols (early 1911s mostly) and pre-WW1 mausers, but I have often wondered about the issue of metal fatigue and if firearms of this age should be fired. I'm talking from strickly a safety perspective here and not a "why would you shoot a collectable pistol/rifle" perspective.

To be honest I shoot these old birds becase I appreciate their history and am of the belief that firearms were made to be fired and not hidden in a safe.

Let's also assume the firearms are in good working condition, without headspace issues, cracked receivers, etc and the ammunition is factory and not hot reloads. Let's also assume the springs have been replaced as well.

Opinions? Is metal fatigue a general concern with fireams such as these and of this vintage?

 

[Claven2]

Not from a safety standpoint. If an old Mauser, for example, has headspace in specification and checks out mechanically, go shoot it!

In one even fails, it won't grenade generally due to the safety built into the design and with spec ammo, you'll never wear it out. Of course, all bets are off if you make a stupid reloading mistake like a case full of pistol powder or fire it with an obstructed bore

With 1911's, the biggest concern is that prior to WW2, the slides were only spot hardened. They sometimes crack in predicatble ways if over-used. I personally wouldn't shoot a collector grade WW1 1911. I've seen far too many rare and highly collectable guns ruined when the slides cracked. That's what WW2 era refurbs and Norinco GI type 1911's are for!