Shooting lead through polygonal Tanfo barrels

[MemphisMechanic]

Like the Stock 2, my Stock 3 arrived with polygonal rifling in the barrel. In the past I've occasionally shot lead through my conventionally rifled S&W and (gasp!) my poly rifled G34.

Anyone have direct experience with feeding their polygonal Stock 2 or 3 a lead diet? General advice is to use quality bullets, avoid hot light-bullet loads, and to keep an eye on things at first , which worked well in the Glock.

Just looking for anyone with direct experience with it.

Edited October 29, 2016 by MemphisMechanic

[nomore606]

I used bayou bullets through my stock 3 with no issues but I did see slightly better accuracy with fmj's. But I did not see any build up or issues with the coated lead rounds.

[johnbu]

I've shot about 4000 bare lead in a S2-40 without issues and about the same in coated lead.   Also shot about 15,000 coated in 9mm without any issue.  All 9mm were minor, most 40sw were major.  no problems.

[fellas]

I only shoot 145 gr 9mm cast bullet in both S2 and S3, never head any problems

[goshimu]

Everyone I know shoot coated lead in IPSC. No issues.

[ryridesmotox]

The only caveat to shooting lead, slug your barrel so you can get an appropriate diameter. Some of the barrels seem to be a smidge on the tight side. It can lead to some added lead deposit. But in all honesty, I think all of us probably take the guns down or at least field strip them to clean them after every match. I couldn't imagine huge lead buildup in 200 rounds +/- fired through the course of a match

[MemphisMechanic]

2 hours ago, ryridesmotox said:

The only caveat to shooting lead, slug your barrel so you can get an appropriate diameter. Some of the barrels seem to be a smidge on the tight side. It can lead to some added lead deposit. But in all honesty, I think all of us probably take the guns down or at least field strip them to clean them after every match. I couldn't imagine huge lead buildup in 200 rounds +/- fired through the course of a match

Valid point on slugging the barrel.

However...

 I don't know any USPSA competitor who cleans their gun bieeekly, much less every 200 rounds. My M&P looked like this 90% of its life - a few drops of oil on every range day, and a good scrubbing every ~5,000 rounds unless a major match is approaching.

(And I'm not plannning to treat the Tanfo any more kindly. It needs to work when dirty, and work 100%)

I don't think that's just me. It's the norm with 90% of the guys I've shot with, at multiple clubs.

Edited October 31, 2016 by MemphisMechanic

[johnbu]

^^ that could be my gun.

[ryridesmotox]

I am meticulous with my guns. Coming from 1911s, it's just the nature of the beast. All my guns get put away clean.

I go through my tanfo after every match and every practice to make sure everything is wearing correctly and nothing looks wrong

[MemphisMechanic]

2 hours ago, ryridesmotox said:

I am meticulous with my guns. Coming from 1911s, it's just the nature of the beast. All my guns get put away clean.

I go through my tanfo after every match and every practice to make sure everything is wearing correctly and nothing looks wrong

I used to be like that, even though I started with the Glock platform.

When I began shooting an indoor match every Tuesday, and either live-fire practice or a second match on Saturday, that OCD habit calmed down rather quickly. Eight cleanings a month? Nah.

(Cleaning a gun is a slightly zenlike relaxing thing to do, but not when you're getting home at 11:00pm after having a beer following the indoor match, and work is early the next morning.)

Fast forward four years and I've learned it runs just fine with a cleaning every wheneverIfeellikeit.

Edited October 31, 2016 by MemphisMechanic