Breaking a 1911 pistol in with lead bullets

Tex S · March 31, 2009, 10:44 PM

Is this a good idea? I bought a Dan Wesson Marksman and plan on breaking it in this weekend. I have about 800 rounds of the following 45acp load:

5.3 grains W231
200gr Dardas LSWC
C.O.L. 1.245"
Fed 150 primer

This will be the primary target/plinking load I shoot in this pistol. (I hope!)

This load has worked great in my other 1911's, but a few folks that I trust who own DW pistols have instructed me to break in with at least 500 rounds of factory 230gr hardball. They say this decreases feeding issues and helps isolate any would be problems.

I will take this time to say I definately do not plan on buying any factory ammo to break in this pistol. It would be way too expensive, not to mention against my reloading religion.

Should I at least load up some hardball though? I really dont want to because I dont have any FMJ bullets, and I cannot get any by this weekend.

What do yall think?

Edward429451 · April 1, 2009, 12:23 AM

Well, that load is a might softer than hardball. So maybe it takes 1000 rounds to break it in...so what? Use what you have.

JDG · April 1, 2009, 04:32 AM

Them swc bullets, will be a good test for your DW!

Have fun, keep er oiled up!

darkgael · April 1, 2009, 05:59 AM

Of course go with the advice of the folk that you know and trust. But....I wonder about the need for that extensive a break-in. (Or any break in at all).
Personal experience - I don't own a gazillion .45s. I have three - a Colt, a Springfield, a Glock. They all get shot frequently. None were "broken in" at all. They are all super reliable.
I just took'em out of the box and started shooting (reloads all).
I mean - if it doesn't shoot well out of the box, what's the point? What practical good is a gun which may well be used for self-defense if you have to shoot 800 rounds through it before it's reliable (as much fun as that might be)?
Pete

AlaskaMike · April 1, 2009, 09:17 AM

There are certainly others more knowledgeable about this than me, but my take on it is that some guns that are really tight from the factory like the Wilson Combat guns benefit from a break in period, but I think few others do. I don't know how tight the Dan Wessons are when they're new though.

I'd say fire one or two hundred of your preferred load, and if it's reliable then consider it broken in.

Mike

Sevens · April 1, 2009, 10:35 AM

If it's the full metal jacketed nature of the loads that smooth out feed ramps and barrel rifling, and that's why they recommend them for "break in", then I don't see why you couldn't simply shoot a supply of hardball through it at some later date when you feel like you have the components or want to do it. Or, to put that thought another way... no, I don't think shooting 500 rounds of LSWC is going to take away the break in that the hardball was meant to do.

I think they recommend hardball because hardball is the most likely to feed and the least likely to create a stoppage, and they would like to see the pistol run hard for a few hundred loads to get the pistol running in fine order. Hardball is a nice, stiff load and will feed the most reliably in any semi-auto handgun just by it's nature.

Please note that I am about 500 miles from an expert in the art of breaking in a new firearm in any caliber or platform. I'm no gunsmith, I don't build handguns and I don't alter them, either, so these are merely my opinions.

But if I couldn't reload for it, I probably wouldn't want to buy it! (oustide of the obvious rimfire, of course)

bluetopper · April 1, 2009, 10:18 PM

That's why you reload isn't it? I would use my SWC's and not bat an eye in doing so.

I have 2 DW's and they are first rate. They run like Singer sewing machines.

Sarge · April 1, 2009, 10:28 PM

Most of the break-in story is nonsense. I have shot untold numbers of the H&G 68 or its equivalent through numerous 1911's and I am convinced that when loaded to 1.250" in decent brass, firmly taper crimped and with sufficient powder to cycle the action, it is fully as reliable as ball. This bullet was specifically designed to mimic ball's feed profile and shoot with match accuracy. It remains one of the finest examples of true engineering genius.

captain-03 · April 2, 2009, 04:59 PM

Go for it -- it was made to shoot --- I really would be mad if I wasted $$s on 800rds hardball and then went to my reloads and they would not function properly!!

guntotin_fool · April 2, 2009, 05:04 PM

shoot what ever you want. all ball is just a myth.

Cloudpeak · April 2, 2009, 05:35 PM

Ditto to Sarge's post.

I have 680 rounds of Lyman 200gr SWC loads through my new CBOB with zero problems. The Lyman is a close copy of the H&G 68 (more so than the Lee designs I shot for awhile in my Springfield's and I did have a few FTF's with that bullet.)

Come to think of it, I've "broken in" all of my pistols with lead reloads. Two Springfield's, D.W. CBOB, STI Trojan, CZ Compact, M&P, CW9 and XD40SC.

I did have a couple of magazine related problems with the CZ and Trojan feeding the Lee 105 gr SWC. Springfield 9mm mags for the Trojan solved the problem in the STI and going to 124 grain RN in the CZ solved the problem. Both pistols now run 100%.

Cloudpeak

March 31, 2009, 10:44 PM	#1
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Breaking a 1911 pistol in with lead bullets Is this a good idea? I bought a Dan Wesson Marksman and plan on breaking it in this weekend. I have about 800 rounds of the following 45acp load: 5.3 grains W231 200gr Dardas LSWC C.O.L. 1.245" Fed 150 primer This will be the primary target/plinking load I shoot in this pistol. (I hope!) This load has worked great in my other 1911's, but a few folks that I trust who own DW pistols have instructed me to break in with at least 500 rounds of factory 230gr hardball. They say this decreases feeding issues and helps isolate any would be problems. I will take this time to say I definately do not plan on buying any factory ammo to break in this pistol. It would be way too expensive, not to mention against my reloading religion. Should I at least load up some hardball though? I really dont want to because I dont have any FMJ bullets, and I cannot get any by this weekend. What do yall think? Last edited by Tex S; March 31, 2009 at 10:49 PM. Reason: sp

April 1, 2009, 05:59 AM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Break in Of course go with the advice of the folk that you know and trust. But....I wonder about the need for that extensive a break-in. (Or any break in at all). Personal experience - I don't own a gazillion .45s. I have three - a Colt, a Springfield, a Glock. They all get shot frequently. None were "broken in" at all. They are all super reliable. I just took'em out of the box and started shooting (reloads all). I mean - if it doesn't shoot well out of the box, what's the point? What practical good is a gun which may well be used for self-defense if you have to shoot 800 rounds through it before it's reliable (as much fun as that might be)? Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

April 1, 2009, 10:35 AM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	If it's the full metal jacketed nature of the loads that smooth out feed ramps and barrel rifling, and that's why they recommend them for "break in", then I don't see why you couldn't simply shoot a supply of hardball through it at some later date when you feel like you have the components or want to do it. Or, to put that thought another way... no, I don't think shooting 500 rounds of LSWC is going to take away the break in that the hardball was meant to do. I think they recommend hardball because hardball is the most likely to feed and the least likely to create a stoppage, and they would like to see the pistol run hard for a few hundred loads to get the pistol running in fine order. Hardball is a nice, stiff load and will feed the most reliably in any semi-auto handgun just by it's nature. Please note that I am about 500 miles from an expert in the art of breaking in a new firearm in any caliber or platform. I'm no gunsmith, I don't build handguns and I don't alter them, either, so these are merely my opinions. But if I couldn't reload for it, I probably wouldn't want to buy it! (oustide of the obvious rimfire, of course) __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

April 1, 2009, 10:28 PM	#8
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Most of the break-in story is nonsense. I have shot untold numbers of the H&G 68 or its equivalent through numerous 1911's and I am convinced that when loaded to 1.250" in decent brass, firmly taper crimped and with sufficient powder to cycle the action, it is fully as reliable as ball. This bullet was specifically designed to mimic ball's feed profile and shoot with match accuracy. It remains one of the finest examples of true engineering genius. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

April 1, 2009, 12:23 AM	#2
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Well, that load is a might softer than hardball. So maybe it takes 1000 rounds to break it in...so what? Use what you have.

April 1, 2009, 04:32 AM	#3
JDG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 673	Them swc bullets, will be a good test for your DW! Have fun, keep er oiled up!

April 1, 2009, 09:17 AM	#5
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	There are certainly others more knowledgeable about this than me, but my take on it is that some guns that are really tight from the factory like the Wilson Combat guns benefit from a break in period, but I think few others do. I don't know how tight the Dan Wessons are when they're new though. I'd say fire one or two hundred of your preferred load, and if it's reliable then consider it broken in. Mike

April 1, 2009, 10:18 PM	#7
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	That's why you reload isn't it? I would use my SWC's and not bat an eye in doing so. I have 2 DW's and they are first rate. They run like Singer sewing machines.

April 2, 2009, 04:59 PM	#9
captain-03 Junior Member Join Date: November 28, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 11	Go for it -- it was made to shoot --- I really would be mad if I wasted $$s on 800rds hardball and then went to my reloads and they would not function properly!!

April 2, 2009, 05:04 PM	#10
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	shoot what ever you want. all ball is just a myth.

April 2, 2009, 05:35 PM	#11
Cloudpeak Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 288	Ditto to Sarge's post. I have 680 rounds of Lyman 200gr SWC loads through my new CBOB with zero problems. The Lyman is a close copy of the H&G 68 (more so than the Lee designs I shot for awhile in my Springfield's and I did have a few FTF's with that bullet.) Come to think of it, I've "broken in" all of my pistols with lead reloads. Two Springfield's, D.W. CBOB, STI Trojan, CZ Compact, M&P, CW9 and XD40SC. I did have a couple of magazine related problems with the CZ and Trojan feeding the Lee 105 gr SWC. Springfield 9mm mags for the Trojan solved the problem in the STI and going to 124 grain RN in the CZ solved the problem. Both pistols now run 100%. Cloudpeak