What round count is too high for a used pistol?

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cote_b

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Im currently looking at a used S&W model 19 and from what I can see, it look to be in good shape. The owner claims the bore is still very nice and bright, which I have no reason to doubt, but the estimated round count is around 5000rounds. I am interested in this revolver, but I feel as though 5000 rounds is getting into what I would consider a very high round count. Would the barrel on this pistol still have some life in it? Or is this around the time when the rifling is getting worn and the accuracy suffers?

Thanks
 
5,000 is not that much; with proper maintenance and care the gun can still look like new.

If most of the ammo used was lead (and properly cleaned afterwards) the wear on the barrel should be minimal.

If you're concerned test fire it first or at least ask for bore pics.
 
you can say that maybe 50K is something that a revolver barrel is just a little bit in "used condition"
IMO 5K is nothing for a barrel....don't worry be happy and buy the toy!
 
How good of a shot are you? At pistol ranges/distances a well secured sewer pipe would likely print pretty respectable groupings, however the operator will greatly hamper it's ability to hit anything. If you're a match shooter, striving for tiny groups, pass it and move on. If you are a regular joe who just likes shooting, the pistol will likely serve you and your descendants for generations to come.

That's my .02 at least.
 
I personally have put almost 20k of 9mm through a pistol. It has shown no decrease of accuracy in my "limited" experiance.....

I would not hesitate to buy a pistol with only 5k down the pipe, especially if it is in the shape you describe. On the other hand I have seen pistols with under 1k down the bore that are in absolutely horrendous shape due to lack of care and Hamm handed handling.

IMO high round counts are as follows;

1500 for small bore high speed centre fire rifles.
3000 for any centre fire rifle.
15000 for an accurized custom hand fitted pistol
25000 for a duty type pistol.
250000 for a 22lr of any stripe.

Any round counts in excess of the ones I listed and you can expect accuracy to decline. The firearms will still function and be more than accurate for most uses, but useful life will be limited.

Ymmv,
Cheers!
 
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5000 is nothing for a well maintained firearm. I put well over 50,000 rounds through a glock and looked after it very very well. Looked like new when I turned it in for a new one. Never had a part fail and ran beautifully. Kinda like a car, you can 20,000 km on it but if it's abused and neglected it will be a POS. Maintenance and general use hundreds of thousands of KM is nothing.
 
Thanks alot for the quick replies guys. The pics of the pistol lead me to believe that it has been well cared for and it sounds as though mostly lead was shot through it, with proper cleaning afterwards. I do like this revolver alot and the round count was the only thing making me hesistate. I will more seriously consider buying this revolver now.

Thanks again!
 
I put 30,000 rounds through a Model 10 (K frame 38, similar to what you're looking at) in one year - the difference between when I bought it and when I sold it? - It was much smoother when I sold it. The great thing about shooting lead is you don't wear the barrel much, if any.
 
Depends on what it was shooting. M19's had a reputation for not tolerating a diet of full power or +P .357s without loosening up. If it fired lead for most of it's life, no problems whatsoever. However, check the cylinder for a lead ring in the chambers - that indicates use of .38Special cases which allow lead shavings to build up between the case and chamber edge.

Dr Jim
 
Look at the forcing cone, if no cracks, buy it and shoot the thing.

Stay away from light 110's and 125 grain and that thing will last you a long time.
 
take a looks at where the crane that holds the cylinder meets the frame if there is too much gap or its bent there is a problem. sombody has been flicking the cylinder closed one handed. slowly #### the hammer and see if the cylinder has locked up correctly by trying to turn it. if it turns more and then locks up timing may be off.
As was said if 38s were used in it it will last near forever maintained correctly.
 
A good friend has a model 19 that has shot lots of .357 loads. but nowhere near 5000. The frame has stretched & it spits lots of gas & powder crap out the cylinder gap.If your gun has only shot mostly.38 loads it should be fine.
 
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