When I'm refering to wearing out a barrel, I'm saying that my groups start openning up and velocities start going down. For me; if I can't be sure that the pistol is cabable of consistently grouping in the 'upper A' zone of an IPSC target at 25 yds. or consistently knocking down an 8" plates at 50 yds (providing of course that I'm doing my job), then I'll put in a new barrel. I also have to put in enough powder that I start to get concerned about pressure. For me it's cheap insurance. Bob Brazos talks a bit about heating up a pistol barrel and the accumulated effects on accuracy. It's not so much matches, but practice. Bill drills and such really heat things up. A new barrel also allows the 'smith to compensate for looser slide, frame, and bushing fit that wear induces. They get rid of the 'slop' when fitting the barrel up tight at lockup. When Dan Hurley got his new Brazos limited pistol he told me it instilled confidence in him knowing that the pistol was capable a great accuracy. For me, that sums it up.
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