So this may end being a real dud of a thread, but a recent interaction got me to thinking (not always my best first step!)

I was working out a trade deal - my Ruger for his SW. My Ruger (a Redhawk) was circa 2008 and his SW c. early '70s. I took some pics including a few best attempts at the bore. He responded that it looked pitted and I took another few - it was simply poor photography. In any case the bore was perfect in my Ruger as was the Smith's. So, that is actually where my question comes in: are pitted bores a thing of the past? Given, some bores that are chrome lined, much "cleaner" ammo, etc. is a pitted bore something we just won't see much of any more?

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

Just an opinion here, but as you state powder,primers and steel are better these days..that said, newer guns probably are seen less with pitted bores..However, poor maintenance is still poor maintenance, pitted bores will still be there to some degree

A truly pitted bore is usually a sign of ammo with corrosive primers used in a bore without a chrome lining. Most of the world's military used corrosive ammo into the 1950s and probably even later behind the Iron Curtain.

The British had a special funnel for pouring water down the bore of the SMLE to flush out the corrosive salts. How often it got used in hot battle zones is unknown, but I am reliably informed that flushing the bore was done immediately after range time. I expect in hot and humid climates the sooner you flush the better the bore survives. Seems the previous owners of several of my milsurp rifles didn't get the memo.

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Release the Kraken

Agree. Improvements in the chemistry of priming compounds and propellant powders has virtual eliminate pitting from corrosive residue. Also chromed bored has helped considerably too.

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Bill

Being a former Civil War re-enactor and former flintlock deer hunter the prospect of a pitted bore always was at the top of my mind. I don't think anybody has come up with a completely neutral black powder that doesn't require the gun to be cleaned right after shooting.

I had some Egyptian 9mm Luger shells that I acquired years ago but weren't ancient. I don't know if I only suspected or actually confirmed that it was corrosive but the barrel and slide of my Browning High Power got a good bath and lube job afterwards.

In my opinion, with modern ammo components and the most basic maintenance, yes pitted bores should be a thing of the past.

You are correct in your assumption. That Egyptian 9mm was very corrosive and very dirty ammo to shoot. It would start pitting overnight. I was not able to clean my WWII smg until the following morning after shooting the ammo the previous day and you could see the film of rust forming in the bore. (Being in very humid NC at the time really helped the forming of rust.)

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Bill

The demise of mercuric primers was a giant leap for mankind when it came to preserving firearms.

I have a M1911 that the barrel is absolutely black and pitted, but still shoots good groups.

I also have an Uberti Cattleman SSA clone with a black powder rust spot halfway down the barrel that still shoots great!