Posted: 6/13/2009 9:24:30 PM EDT
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For the sake of argument, let's say you have two semi-auto shotguns. Same make, same model. You have owed these two shotguns for the same amount of time and they get identical cleanings.
Now, you've put 500 of your chosen HD load through shotgun #1 and have had zero malfunctions. Shotgun #2 has over 2000 of the same load through it and you've had one malfunction with it at round 50 (we'll make it a stovepipe). So, you plan to use one of these shotguns as your primary HD weapon. Which one? Which would you trust more? Zero malfunctions vs one malfunction with quite a few more rounds. |
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The only way to answer that question is to design a test that gives you a statistically valid basis for comparison of functional reliability.
The scenario you describe does not contain a statistically valid basis for comparison, because each weapon has not be subjected to the same testing criteria (number of rounds fired). You would have to establish the mean round count between failure (MRCBF) for each weapon, by firing the same number of shells through each one. Once you had the MRCBF, then you could make your decision. That's basically what the Pentagon does (in a nutshell) in testing & evaluation of new weapons, except it is a little more complicated than that (and they test for a shitload of other things in addition to MRCBF). ETA: I just re-read your OP and realized they are the same type & model of weapon. In that case, forget all of the above. 
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