How long does a .22 pistol last?

I have a Nelson conversion and I'm wondering how many thousands of rounds I can expect to get out of it before it breaks or loses too much accuracy. Do rimfire pistols really wear out? I've heard rimfire rifles can keep going forever and the barrels don't get shot out like a service rifle barrel. Will my Nelson last a good 10 years if I shoot it every week? Thank you in advance for the advice.

Many many many many many rounds. 

I've heard of 100k rounds fired and still being accurate. I've never shot any one pistol that much. I probably put 30-50k rounds through my Ruger Mk II which I bought used and seemed to have been shot a lot before me. It is still the most accurate gun I have ever owned.

Extractors, ejectors and firing pins can break. Springs will wear out. I don't think it's possible to shoot out a 22 Barrels with decent quality standard velocity ammo. Soft lead and modest pressure & temperature don't erode or wear barrels. Excessive cleaning and/or bad cleaning practice (see note below) can ruin a barrel. 

Note: I consider just about any cleaning of a 22LR barrel to be excessive. After cleaning the crud off the the bolt face and chamber I pull a wet patch through to clear the debris and a dry patch to clear the solvent.

Bad cleaning practice is anything that damages the crown. Letting the rod or cord rub against edge of the barrel is a bad idea. I don't think it affects 22LR nearly as bad as it affects rifles barrels, but it makes me cringe just thinking about it.

I shot both the Nelson and the standard upper of my 1911 tonight. The Nelson seemed to be much more accurate!

My 208 had around 110k rounds through it when firing pin broke. Only part I ever replaced. When I traded it it had 120k rounds through it. Only slibi I ever had was when firing pin broke. I probably dry fired it more than I shot it live fire! Admittedly it was grouping 1.5" at 50 yds with Eley Tenex when I got rid of it. I have several other 22's with 50k plus through them. So they'll last.
Conversions will last fairly well but sre known to crack slides sometimes. My early Marvel has about 25k rounds through it. It's broken 2 firing pins, but I dry fire it without a chamber plug.
Jon

I am using an aluminum chamber plug. Is that ok or does it need to be rubber?

For a Marvel or Nelson, I just cut a piece of 1/8" thick rubber to cover the firing pin and absorb the hammer blow.



Just press it over the firing pin and dry fire away! The hammer never touches the firing pin.

Cut it to fit so that it presses in tight enough to not fall off.

The lands will wear down and almost become invisible.  Seen it in my Ruger mk1 that i bought new. Takes about 40 years of shooting. 

A Mossberg 22 lr that was used for training in the lend lease act showed very faint lands.

Accuracy was still fair. 

Over cleaning may be a cause of some wear.  Letting #9 soak, works for me.

DA/SA, Although Nelson says their conversion is dry-fire safe, your idea is brilliant! Thanks!

I used to shoot with guys that had 50 year old guns and have never worn out a barrel they shoot 3 times a month for about 10 months out if the year not counting regionals and nationals.

CO1Mtn wrote:I am using an aluminum chamber plug. Is that ok or does it need to be rubber?

Although aluminum is softer that any firing pin, this practice isn't recommended.

If you're using a chamber plug just buy some drywall anchors, they're much softer and you can buy a lifetime supply at Lowes or Home Depot for $10.

zanemoseley wrote:If you're using a chamber plug just buy some drywall anchors, they're much softer and you can buy a lifetime supply at Lowes or Home Depot for $10.

Best advice ^^^. I believe I use the yellow ones. I think 100 are about $6.

Joel

zanemoseley wrote:If you're using a chamber plug just buy some drywall anchors, they're much softer and you can buy a lifetime supply at Lowes or Home Depot for $10.

I use these as well but wonder how many dry fires one should go before replacing it with a new one

lablover wrote:

zanemoseley wrote:If you're using a chamber plug just buy some drywall anchors, they're much softer and you can buy a lifetime supply at Lowes or Home Depot for $10.

I use these as well but wonder how many dry fires one should go before replacing it with a new one

1) When they start becoming difficult to extract, or 2) the rim flattens so much that I run the risk of a piece breaking off and finding its way somewhere are the elements I look for when replacing mine.

Also if I eject it and it falls on the ground and I feel too lazy to pick it up.