I have this impression too, and I suspect several decades might be enough for some materials.
Back in the '80s I had a 1915 Luger that I shot extensively and I knew a few others with them. Mine and others broke in interesting ways - toggle pins sheared one side, flakes chipping out of extractors, and the common favourite was the tiny lug that retains the extractor breaking. Occasionally these could be blamed on hot ammo like 2z, but most shooters used mild to medium loads. Repairs were often possible, though sometimes challenging...
I formed the impression that steel could go 'crystalline' over time, as it was the older Lugers (which were often the best-made) that seemed most affected, and break surfaces usually had a lustrous, 'frosted' appearance.
Regards,
MikB
Originally Posted by barryeye
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