New Gun Purchase - On-going Maintenance Issues

[JDay]

The manual will tell you how often to replace your springs. Springs are cheap.

[Carcassonne]

I want to buy a new gun.

I was told to consider the on-going maintenance costs, including the timing and cost for replacement parts.

I have no idea how to find out this information.

Is there a source that indicates when springs and other components are supposed to be replaced and how much the individual parts (and gunsmithing costs) might be?

Do barrels, triggers and firing pins (or strikers) typically last forever, or does the overall gun wear out after tens of thousands of shots?

Also, are there materials (like the polymers) that have a different life span than steel, or aluminum, etc.? I expect that rubber grip pads will need to be replaced, but do other components wear out?

I asked the guys at a gun shop, and all they could say is, "It depends."

Thanks for any insight on this matter...

Most of the guns on the roster will last you a very long time. Do not worry about replacing parts.




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[Trriemferent]

Op.... what gun are you considering on buying that they told you to consider the lifetime maintained.

[pklin1297]

Ditto on the question: What gun are you considering?

Whatever gun it is, chances are either Brownells, Midway USA, or Numrich Gun Parts will have you covered... This is unless you are getting a super rare gun...

I did have problems finding some parts for my Makarovs due to minor differences between Bulgarian and Norinco variants, but these little guns are built like tanks so rarely if anything goes wrong.

[Fishslayer]

The guy who sold me my first handgun told me that "Buying the gun is the cheap part." He wasn't kidding. Ammo, accessories, cleaning gear...

Buy a quality item & don't sweat cost of parts. You'll spend way more on "OOOH! COOL!" items ya just GOTTSTA have.

[CandG]

It's just a gun, not a BMW.

Haha, that's exactly what I was going say! It's not a used German car, it's a pistol. Your ongoing maintenance includes:

1 bottle of cleaner/lube
1 boresnake
1 cleaning kit (brushes/patches/rods)

All that can be had for less than $25 and should last you for years.

You shouldn't *expect* any other maintenance. Modern pistols are designed to shoot well over 20,000 rounds without needing any real work. And once it needs work, all pistols (except rare ones) are going to cost about the same to fix a given problem.

Coming from a guy who tends to REALLY overthink things too, and is constantly accused of doing such on CalGuns, I can tell you conclusively that you are definitely overthinking this. Go buy a pistol, clean the factory goop out, lube it up, and take it shooting. Clean it again when it looks filthy. It isn't rocket science.

The only ongoing cost you should consider, is ammo. Within your first 2 years, you will have likely spent more on ammo than you spent on the gun. So buy a caliber that fits your budget. Obviously, 9mm will be the cheapest, followed by 40s&w, then 45acp. "Oddball" calibers like 10mm, .357 sig, .45 GAP, tend to be more expensive, so stick with the big 3 if budget is a concern. I specifically didn't mention .380 because it shouldn't be a consideration unless it's for a ccw pocket pistol.

PS, another vote here for a Glock for your first pistol. It's like the Honda of guns. It may not be high-performance and might not get you laid, but it'll keep running and running and running no matter how much you neglect to take care of it.

[SkyHawk]

You buying an airplane or a gun? Whoever gave you that advice, should never be consulted for advice related to firearms again, because they have no idea what they are talking about - none whatsoever.

As noted by others - you will have paid the price of actual gun many times over in ammo costs before you need any type of spare part, even the cheapest possible part. Spare parts are not a concern for gun owners. We have guns that have been around 60+ years in my family and never needed a spare part, including some 22LR semi rifles that have seen a good amount of use through the generations.

[JTROKS]

If you can afford to shoot 5k rounds of factory 9mm at $11 per 50 that's going to cost you $1100 + tax. I'm sure you can afford to spend $10 for a recoil spring. If you have a revolver the factory hammer spring will last a very looong time.

[EspoMan]

Maintenance cost isn't what I'd be worried about. The cost of ammo is another story. There's were all your money will be spent at. I've already spent close to 2K on ammo this year alone. Not to mention range costs too. It's an expensive hobby, that's for sure.

[shakyshoot]

Whoever gave you that advice, should never be consulted for advice related to firearms again - because they have no idea what they are takking about - none whatsoever.

I dunno, maybe he was just trying to point out that when you buy a gun, your gun related expenses are just beginning. Although it doesn't sound like he mentioned ammo and/or reloading equipment and supplies, which is the big one. Actual gun maintenance, not much. Fix it if it breaks. New recoil spring after 10k-20k, maybe some new mag springs depending on how many mags you use.

[xstrensic]

Too much thought. As a first time buyer, go to the range with a friend with some experience and rent a few that you're interested in. Then channel all that thinking you have up there into deciding what felt better in your hand, what pointed naturally.

After that.... think less and shoot more

[SoldierLife7]

Ammo is your main concern.

Do you want to pay almost $2 a round for 30-49 Krag or would you rather pay ~.45 a round for .223?

Calguns anti-dogpile disclaimer:
*numbers were pulled out of thin air as an example. Actual prices may vary.

[CandG]

Calguns anti-dogpile disclaimer:
*numbers were pulled out of thin air as an example. Actual prices may vary.

I'm not sure he should buy a .223 chambered pistol for his first one

[BoJackUSMC]

Buy the gun and fix it (when you start having issues with the gun).
Honestly, unless you run your gun real hard (tactical shooting classes weekly or so). The gun will out last you.

[jdigi101]

Hey JoeShooter!

Cool name. Can't believe that name was available!

Is there a list of "guns" you are considering buying?

Most pistols you can buy new in CA are going to last a lifetime with minimal money dumped into them.

To be honest I cannot afford enough ammunition to wear out a pistol or most of its parts. I have have had a Glock 22 since 2004. I would estimate I have put 300-500 rounds a year through it. Nothing has worn out or needed to be replaced. Aside from the sights it is as it came out of the box.