How long does it take for you to clean a gun?
- Thread starter monotonous_iterancy
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I was going to say "sometimes several years" (especially w/ .22s). When I do clean, I take way too long, and I find that influences which guns I use. We shoot at home, but just yesterday I decided not to shoot the Garand, as we already had 6-7 guns dirty. Also it was T-shirt weather, and I prefer at least a sweatshirt between me and the M1. I like the looks of blued guns, but mainly shoot the stainless ones so that a quick wipe down can suffice if time is short.
A lot of you are saying an hour, that makes me feel better..
Yesterday, like I was saying, I cleaned two rifles. One was an AR. Took me forever to clean it seemed. I've never cleaned one before, and there was so much carbon in the receiver area. I also don't have any special tools like a chamber brush. Just a cleaning kit and a bottle of Hoppes 9 (which seemed to be watered down).
I think I need better supplies. I'm trying to clean a state-of-the-art gun with 1910s technology..
here's a question though, I already saw wear on the parts. Is this just something that happens immediately, or does it means there's not enough lubrication?
Then I cleaned a Garand, which was a breeze by comparison, except for the light rust I found on the outside of the gas system. Came right off with steel wool. I also found a few specks inside in the receiver, and in the corners by the chamber. I don't know how, because it leeched cosmoline when I shot it.
Yesterday, like I was saying, I cleaned two rifles. One was an AR. Took me forever to clean it seemed. I've never cleaned one before, and there was so much carbon in the receiver area. I also don't have any special tools like a chamber brush. Just a cleaning kit and a bottle of Hoppes 9 (which seemed to be watered down).
I think I need better supplies. I'm trying to clean a state-of-the-art gun with 1910s technology..
here's a question though, I already saw wear on the parts. Is this just something that happens immediately, or does it means there's not enough lubrication?
Then I cleaned a Garand, which was a breeze by comparison, except for the light rust I found on the outside of the gas system. Came right off with steel wool. I also found a few specks inside in the receiver, and in the corners by the chamber. I don't know how, because it leeched cosmoline when I shot it.
Zaydok Allen
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No certainly not. I suspect for those of us that don't have a large collection and who do not have much of a disposable income, many guns seem like an investment as well as a practical purchase. My guns are my most valued possesions besides heirlooms from past family members. I plan to pass my guns on some day too. I realize that not cleaning them every time will not really harm the gun or cause reliability problems, it's just something I do to ensure they retain their good workings. No need to have fouling build up and possibly gum something up.
Also, I spend a lot of time dry fire practicing. I can not afford to shoot that much as far as time or money goes, so I don't particularly like handling dirty guns. When I pick up a handgun, I enjoy having nothing left on my hands but a bit of oil. As a single person also, I have the tendency to leave guns laying around all over. Coffee table, dresser, kitchen counter, entertainment center. My animals will inspect them, but leave them be. So I don't like to have dirty guns sitting around just cuz.
I'm also OC, and like things to be a certain way.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Naw, but I do change the oil every now and then.
I maintain my truck and my wife's pretty much the way I maintain my guns. Ron
I wasn't aware that cleaning a gun was something we should be examining in terms of how long it takes. If it were, we'd first have to be able to define how clean is clean, and that alone renders the exercise impossible to conduct.
It takes as long as it takes; that's really all I can say on the matter.
It takes as long as it takes; that's really all I can say on the matter.
The AR/M4 design dates back to about 1959, BTW.
Visible 'wear' marking is normal, and my be present simply from the factory test firing.
But as far as the AR/M4 type platform is concerned, if you are in doubt as to whether or not you used enough lube...use more.
That's why I said "state-of-the-art" instead of 21st century technology. I realized that it's really 20th century technology, but it's the most current that's widely used.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
It takes me forever to clean a gun and due to that, I hate cleaning guns.
It is because I do a storage cleaning almost every time. After I shoot a particular gun I might not shoot it for many months or even years, because I know I will move on to a different gun to shoot the next time.
For my carry guns, the shortest cleaning is the twice a month dust bunny blowout and lube. The dust bunnies can suck up lube like a sponge.
It is because I do a storage cleaning almost every time. After I shoot a particular gun I might not shoot it for many months or even years, because I know I will move on to a different gun to shoot the next time.
For my carry guns, the shortest cleaning is the twice a month dust bunny blowout and lube. The dust bunnies can suck up lube like a sponge.
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About ten minutes for a bolt-action (twenty for the SKS or Garand), because I never disassemble the semi-autos, except for grease in the Garands now and then, plus the SKS' piston/gas tube cleaning.
For simple protection after using corrosive primers (Yugo 8mm Mauser only), about ten minutes includes:
1) Pour Windex into a funnel angled into the chamber, followed by wet patches, a wet (then dry) brush for rifling plus dry patches.
2) Finished with about three minutes of hair dryer blown into the chamber. All of this is done immed. after the rifle gets home.
This can take only 10 min. if you concentrate.
If basic cleaning is done while watching the Military Channel, it's more pleasant and rewarding.
Having seen so many grimy or dark bores at gun shows, this offers plenty of motivation.
For simple protection after using corrosive primers (Yugo 8mm Mauser only), about ten minutes includes:
1) Pour Windex into a funnel angled into the chamber, followed by wet patches, a wet (then dry) brush for rifling plus dry patches.
2) Finished with about three minutes of hair dryer blown into the chamber. All of this is done immed. after the rifle gets home.
This can take only 10 min. if you concentrate.
If basic cleaning is done while watching the Military Channel, it's more pleasant and rewarding.
Having seen so many grimy or dark bores at gun shows, this offers plenty of motivation.
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Depends on the firearm for the most part. I can easily spend an hour on a simple .22 revolver or bolt action. Also depends on how much time I want to spend away from my wife locked away in my office.
It takes me anywhere from 15mins to an hour or two. I havent cleaned my ar in about 2months, its only got 25 rounds or so through it. Normally I clean it after EVERY time I shoot but Ive decided to wait till I get about 60 rounds through it just to keep from over cleaning.
Cleaning and maintaining a firearm is half the fun. It's not something I like to rush. Post a range session I give less detail than post hunting season. After hunting season, I prefer to pull the barreled action out of the stock, clean and lubricate 100% of the firearm, including perhaps especially the internals of the bolt itself. No sense to rush, and miss out on a good experience: good cigar, a brandy, holding my wife's hand, or bonding with my firearms.
Geno
Geno
Semiauto pistols take me about 10mins or less per gun.
Rifles will vary, depending on make or type. An AR15 will take about 20-30mins for a full clean and disassembly. AK and SKS will take 15mins
Rifles will vary, depending on make or type. An AR15 will take about 20-30mins for a full clean and disassembly. AK and SKS will take 15mins
Corrosive ammo in my 74's, an hour. Then check up in 2 days to make sure I got it all. Handguns 15 min after a range day, every 3rd of 4th time I do a really thorough cleaning, strip EVERYTHING and start over.
jrod
Member
Is it a lot more complicated? With my Mosin, all I do is run a few Windex soaked patches through the barrel, and wipe the bolt face, then a few dry patches, then I clean like normal. One time I used bottled water. No problems.
Wouldn't it be similar with an AK? Bore, gas tube, bolt face, no problem?
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Grrr...bugger all if the computer didn't glitch my posting and require me to retype...
It takes me about 15 minutes per pistol. (Colt 1991A1, Beretta 92FS, AMT Automag II) About the same for the bolt action .22 rifles. A wee bit longer for the Remington 870, because I've only had occasion to clean it a couple times and it's been far enough between cleanings to take me a while to figure out disassembly for cleaning.
When I get Dad's old double barrel .410, I don't anticipate it taking much longer than 15 minutes, either.
The key is to get my cleaning area set up ahead of time, with my laydown cloth spread out and all my cleaning supplies laid out. Then I disassemble and clean one gun at a time, neatly laying out all the components. Bore and breech are the dirtiest areas and I have all the cleaning tools I need to reach all the nooks and crannies handy. Spray cleaners help quicken the job, too, like Birchwood Casey or CLP.
It takes me about 15 minutes per pistol. (Colt 1991A1, Beretta 92FS, AMT Automag II) About the same for the bolt action .22 rifles. A wee bit longer for the Remington 870, because I've only had occasion to clean it a couple times and it's been far enough between cleanings to take me a while to figure out disassembly for cleaning.
When I get Dad's old double barrel .410, I don't anticipate it taking much longer than 15 minutes, either.
The key is to get my cleaning area set up ahead of time, with my laydown cloth spread out and all my cleaning supplies laid out. Then I disassemble and clean one gun at a time, neatly laying out all the components. Bore and breech are the dirtiest areas and I have all the cleaning tools I need to reach all the nooks and crannies handy. Spray cleaners help quicken the job, too, like Birchwood Casey or CLP.
mljdeckard
Member
There's cleaning and then there's cleaning. It also depends on if I am watching TV or something while I do it. A routine cleaning of my 1911s is about 20 min. I recently inherited my dad's old .270, I brushed it for three hours and I STILL can't get all of the copper out of the bore.
Functionally clean? Maybe 10-15 minutes. Cleaned for long term storage or hasn't been detail cleaned in several thousand rounds? Maybe an hour.
It depends on the copper fouling, which depends on the amount and rate of fire.... I'm a pdog shooter, so I spend some time on those rifles. Don't sweat it, it takes as long as it takes.....
Depends on how much it's been fired and what kind of ammo and what kind of firearm.
Black powder has more steps and soap and water. Corrosive ammo earns a hot water bath. Used a suppressor? Plan an hour.
Typical field strip and clean a service pistol? 20 minutes or so.
Black powder has more steps and soap and water. Corrosive ammo earns a hot water bath. Used a suppressor? Plan an hour.
Typical field strip and clean a service pistol? 20 minutes or so.
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