First of all let me just state upfront I very much like the Beretta 92/M9 type pistols, with a strong preference for the G versions that take the drama out of the whole safety-on the-slide-that-could-accidentally-get-flicked-back-on thing. So I'm not trying to troll or start a flame war about Berettas or how everyone in the military supposedly hates them, I personally find Berettas considerably easier to shoot than my Glock 17 at comparable distances. I've had several over the years.
With that out of the way, I'm seeking some input here....
The Beretta 92F that went through testing for the U.S. Military proved a MRBF (mean rounds before failure) of 35,000 rounds.
Obviously, the average M9/M92FS etc. is not going to be put through that kind of abuse, nor should the average Beretta (or Glock, to be fair) be expected to go that long without cleaning and not experience a stoppage or failure of some sort.
Still, more realistically, I have heard at least stories of some people who have put 2 to 3 thousand rounds or more through their Beretta 92s without cleaning and have not experienced stoppages. Supposing these types of stories are true, I'd imagine these were brand new guns that had gone this long (or longer) without maintenance, obviously not 20 to 25 year old guns that need recoil springs or locking blocks replaced and all that. I do wonder if these guns were at least lubed liberally in the beginning of their maintenance-free ordeal, or if they were purchased new from the shop and essentially run dry (no lube) mag after mag after mag from the start.
So I guess my question is how long can the average person expect to realistically run a brand new Beretta M92/M9 without cleaning/lubrication before it starts to experience stoppages/failures, etc.? This assumes the use of quality, clean, reputable ammunition and factory Beretta magazines being utilized in the gun at all times. I don't expect as I said for the average Beretta to last 35,000 rounds without cleaning before a failure obviously, but realistically how long can one expect to shoot the thing without having to clean it or lube it? What's the longest you've gone on shooting one without cleaning, and did yours experience any failures?
I have to believe a brand new gun, or even a thoroughly cleaned and maintained Beretta 92/M9 that has no worn out springs, locking blocks or any other parts is NOT going to get so dirty or dry within the course of shooting a few hundred rounds that it is going to start experiencing Failure to-Feed, Failure to Extract, weak ejection, and sluggish operation of the slide UNLESS there is something on the gun that is worn out, or there is just something else wrong that is causing those things. Am I wrong?