Cleaning unfired guns

[berginator]

I recently acquired a number of rifles and pistols that have never been fired. I have wiped down the outide of them with a special cloth for gun cleaning, but what about the internal components? All the weapons seem to be in perfect condition and all moving components move freely, should I clean them anyway?

 

[RoadkingLarry]

If it was me I'd do a basic field strip clean and light oil.

 

[ScottD]

I wouldn't worry about cleaning the internals if everything looks and works fine. A little bit of lube might be in order.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

delayed double tap, never mind.

 

[230RN]

Roadking Larry spake thus:

If it was me I'd do a basic fieldstrip and clean followed by a light oiling just to make sure.

Ditto. You never know when there might be gunk blocking a disconnector or firing pin or whatever.

Some people just wash their cars... they look gorgeous, but they never change their oil.

:envy:

 

[ScottD]

Well he did do a visual and function check of the firearms as he said. So, in effect, he did "check everything under the hood".

 

[IronSightRot671]

Strip the firearms down. inspect, bore,barrel, use some hoppes #9 down the barrel and clean with a couple patches, Give it a overall general inspection make sure the firearm/s are in safe working order, doesn't hurt to look. it's a good habit to have. check once,twice,three times..



ISR

 

[12many]

I would do a quick cleaning before firing. never know if there might be a burr or some dirt or just dry metal to metal contact. Probably does not matter. Steel is tough, but that is what I would do.

 

[GBExpat]

I detail-strip every new firearm acquisition, more for the opportunity to closely inspect the condition of the parts than to properly clean&lubricate them.

I also fire the first round from a protected position and closely inspect the empty casing afterwards.

 

[slogfilet]

I always run a patch through new guns... there could be shavings in there; better to wipe them out lightly than have them blasted out with the first shot fired.

 

[Jake in TX]

Most new firearms are packed in some type of preservative grease, which should be cleaned prior to first firing. If the grease is still in your never been fired firearms, then I would strip them (as closely per manufacturers' instructions as possible), clean and lightly lubricate. Then enjoy.

Jakein TX

 

[ScottD]

That's a good point, Jake. Other than Glocks and stuff packed in cosmoline, I've never seen a new firearm with preservative type grease on it. Now, I have seen new pistols come dirty from test firing. Kel-Tec is notorious for this. In that case, I would clean it before the first shooting session.

 

[DMK]

Most new firearms are packed in some type of preservative grease, which should be cleaned prior to first firing.

I detail-strip every new firearm acquisition, more for the opportunity to closely inspect the condition of the parts than to properly clean&lubricate them.

Bingo!

I always completely field strip and clean a new gun. Sometimes I'll even detail strip it if it's easy to do (like a Ruger revolver or 1911).

When I get a new car, I always at least change the air filter, spark plugs and oil too.

Start with a known condition and run with your maintenance schedule from there.

 

[ScottD]

You change out a brand new air filter and spark plugs in a new car? Why? Also, a lot of cars have a special break-in type oil and you need to run it with that oil (500 miles or so) before switching to "normal" oil. I've had several that had that in the owner's manual. You might be doing more damage than good.

Now, if you're talking a "new to you" car, then I can see doing that preventative maintenance, but I assumed you meant a brand new car since the OP is talking about new, unfired guns.

 

[jakemccoy]

With brand new guns, I always do a basic field strip, cleaning, oiling and system check. A simple cost/benefit analysis will have you doing the same.

 

[DMK]

You change out a brand new air filter and spark plugs in a new car?

Sorry, yes I meant "new to me", used car. I did change the oil after a few hundred miles (yea, 500 or whatever) in my brand new cars to flush out any metals or accumulated condensation.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I detail-strip every new firearm acquisition, more for the opportunity to closely inspect the condition of the parts than to properly clean & lubricate them.

+1 on that. Yes the detail disassembly is a pain (especially with some leverguns) but you would be astounded (and sickened) by the number of times I've found some bits of metal or burrs or just plain crud inside the lockwork of an unfired gun that would have caused God knows what kinds of issues down the road. Not to mention finding a cracked hammer and a bent cylinder latch on one revolver (that was an unpleasant surprise but beat finding out on the range!).

 

[Hokkmike]

I'm with the Roadking on this one.

 

[ScottD]

Thanks for clearing that up, DMK.

 

[rcmodel]

No mention of what type of new guns they are.

Detail stripping a fine old S&W or Colt SAA revolver, or high quality O&U shotgun will immediately do way more harm then good if you don't have the proper screwdrivers and know what to do with them.

On the otherhand, you should always clean the preservative oil out of the barrel before shooting them.


rcmodel

 

[RNB65]

Always clean an unfired weapon if you intend on shooting it. All it takes is a little gunk in the barrel and the barrel may split. Not good.
.

 

[thebaldguy]

I think it's a good idea to strip, inspect, clean and lube a new firearm before use; you may find a problem or two.

 

[ScottD]

I agree. It's better to get familiar with how a new gun field strips before firing it rather than going through the process the first time on a dirty gun.

 

[mekender]

i bought a new 9mm on saturday and cleaned it in the lounge area of the shop... pulled about 8-10 dirty patches out of it... 3 from the barrel and the rest from the slide and cam block area

 

[-terry]

Well, it's a lot simpler with a revo. With my new Ruger SP101, I just started firing it. Still am. May clean it when the rounds don't load...or maybe not.