I believe that 5000 rounds is a reasonable accurate lifespan for a centerfire rifle, e.g. HP competition rifle, varmint rifle, etc. However, they're usually suffering from throat erosion, which is an effect of heat, pressure, and friction all combined. Pistol cartridges (especially the .45 ACP) shouldn't cause this for a LONG time.
I wonder if any of the many .30-30's or .45-70's (or other low-pressure, barely- or non-bottlenecked rifle cartridge) out there that have fired thousands upon thousands of rounds have "shot out" barrels? How many of those were victims of cleaning violations rather than repeated firing?
I expect that action trouble (barrel fit or frame/slide battering) from normal wear-and-tear (steel to steel contact) due to firing and cycling a semi-auto pistol would be more likely to occur before the bore would be smoothed from shooting copper jacketed lead, but I've been wrong often enough before not to be surprised if I am again. :smile:
George
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: georgek on 2001-12-09 17:28 ]</font>