Service life of a pistol barrel...aka how many rounds til it's toast

[Blake 50]

I would like some feedback from you guys regarding how long a modern pistol barrel should last round count wise. Looking online the answers vary wildly. I am looking at purchasing a used firearm that has ~2k rounds through it. While I know that 2k is no where near the end of it's service life, I am wondering if there is a generally accepted round count that the barrel and/or spring would need to be replaced.

 

The firearm in question is an HK P30 long slide in 9mm.

[GRIZ 3,369]

Barrel life in a handgun depends on a lot of things. Hot loads will create more wear, lead bullets less (lower coefficient of friction). I have a Combat Commander with at least 30,000 rds (mostly lead) that still runs strong and shoots accurately. I have to say in 45+ years of shooting I have never seen anyone wear out a pistol barrel. Damage, yes, wear out no.

 

Rifles are much different.

[HODGIE 3]

I would agree with Grizz I doubt you will ever wear the barrel out of a pistol, before that would happen you would end up wearing everything out around it. I have a M9 with at least 9k rounds through it and counting shoots just as strait as it did from day 1.

[Howard 538]

How do you know how many rounds a used pistol has on it? A car has an odometer, a digital camera has exif data, but a pistol I guess you just have to believe what someone tells you?

[so_dank 0]

Depending on the asking price after a few years of shooting would a replacement barrel be cost effective??

[HODGIE 3]

Depending on the asking price after a few years of shooting would a replacement barrel be cost effective??

 

It would depend on the firearm some require a lot more work then others, replace a 1911 barrel typically requires

a good amount of fitting and for most people they would require a gunsmith. I know there are a lot of after market

replacement barrles for glocks and other more popular had guns but I personally have never seen anything just

drop right in and work correctly. I have revolvers and pistols from WW2 that I shoot often with excellent barrels. I really

do not see the average gun owner running into this situation.

[Blake 50]

Based on responses and barrel/parts availability I will be making an offer on the pistol. Thanks everyone!

[chris327 30]

Honestly 2000 rounds is nothing. Of you regularly shoot that isnt much. The thing that would effect it most is did they clean it. If the gun is cleaned regularly I don't think there will ever be a problem. But like anything if you don't take care of it it will limit its lifespan

[GRIZ 3,369]

Depending on the asking price after a few years of shooting would a replacement barrel be cost effective??

 

If the gun is shooting well you're wasting your money.