Feedback Pistol barrels

[Sloat]

Hi all, with the ban on barrels, I'm thinking of picking up some extra barrels for my pistols. I'm trying to figure out if I'm just in FOMO mode, or it's actually a good idea. I'm not Ben Stoeger, going through 10,000 rounds / year, but perhaps this will be the cheapest pistol barrels get for a while if we're going to have to start paying FFL transfers.

Specifically, my PX4 is my main gun, and I don't know if Beretta's going to be making too many more barrels. There's also 0 aftermarket barrels for the PX4. Also looking at the Apex barrels for the M&P 2.0 series.

Where do other people stand on this? Anyone else picking up extras?

 

[ar15robert]

Find friends in neighbor states who may visit. But they need to be the kind that always lose or misplace stuff.

 

[Funjeff]

2 extra is fine, 10 would be silly.

 

[H. Bowman]

How much do you shoot? If you only shoot occasionally like most people, maybe 1 or maybe none. Not many people actually wear out barrels.

If you shoot enough you're going to need spare barrels, I'd expect you to already know the answer to this question.

 

[2seater]

I saw S&W has some new Carry Comp Barrel slide Assemblies I may get before it becomes a hassle .... https://www.smith-wesson.com/products/slides-barrels

 

[Joker67]

I’m going to buy p-01 and SP-01 barrels. They should be good for 40,000 rounds. I’m hoping to do that on my SP-01. The other thing is hammer hook and sears wearing out.

 

[Enthused]

Just picked up a couple of made in Italy Beretta 92 barrels today on their website. They are having a 20% off sale on parts.

 

[AR15barrels]

For $32 a year after the first year, you can keep an FFL03 and COE which makes you exempt of the gun parts law as well as the ammo background check law.
This allows you to order parts and ammo shipped directly to your home and avoid the extra 11% tax as well.
The savings on the tax alone are likely going to cover your annual costs.

 

[NorCALSpeed]

How much do you shoot? If you only shoot occasionally like most people, maybe 1 or maybe none. Not many people actually wear out barrels.

If you shoot enough you're going to need spare barrels, I'd expect you to already know the answer to this question.

If I do ~4 steel matches a year, plus 4-6 paper range days, should I get a backup barrel for my CZ 75? It's about 6 years old at this point (but I took two years off of matches when ammo prices went crazy).

 

[AR15barrels]

If I do ~4 steel matches a year, plus 4-6 paper range days, should I get a backup barrel for my CZ 75? It's about 6 years old at this point (but I took two years off of matches when ammo prices went crazy).

Handgun barrels are usually good for 100,000 rounds or a lot more.
So, 4 matches at say 250 rounds plus 5 paper range days with perhaps 200 rounds is 2000 rounds a year.
Your barrel will last about 50 years

You should be replacing hammer spring, recoil spring and extractor springs about every 3 years though.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

For $32 a year after the first year, you can keep an FFL03 and COE which makes you exempt of the gun parts law as well as the ammo background check law.
This allows you to order parts and ammo shipped directly to your home and avoid the extra 11% tax as well.
The savings on the tax alone are likely going to cover your annual costs.

I think 03 holders are only exempt if the firearm is a C&R:

California SB704 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session

Bill Text (2025-10-10) Firearms: firearm barrels. [Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 591, Statutes of 2025.]

legiscan.com

"(g) The following are exempt from the process outlined in this section:
...
(5) Sales or transfers to a federally licensed collector who is acquiring or being loaned the barrel of a firearm that is a curio or relic,"

 

[H. Bowman]

I think 03 holders are only exempt if the firearm is a C&R:

California SB704 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session

Bill Text (2025-10-10) Firearms: firearm barrels. [Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 591, Statutes of 2025.]

legiscan.com

"(g) The following are exempt from the process outlined in this section:
...
(5) Sales or transfers to a federally licensed collector who is acquiring or being loaned the barrel of a firearm that is a curio or relic,"

Good thing all AR barrels can be used in C&Rs.

 

[NorCALSpeed]

Handgun barrels are usually good for 100,000 rounds or a lot more.
So, 4 matches at say 250 rounds plus 5 paper range days with perhaps 200 rounds is 2000 rounds a year.
Your barrel will last about 50 years

You should be replacing hammer spring, recoil spring and extractor springs about every 3 years though.

Excellent. Thanks! Those got replaced earlier this year.