How often do you clean your automatic?

[Dick1911]

Again, as a newbie, I'm trying to gather information and from what I've seen so far this is absolutely the best site to do so.

I'd like to know how often you clean your automatic? I know the response for a carry vs. range pistol would be different but I would like to learn more about how often you clean and how you determine the need to clean.

Thanks!

 

[Walkalong]

Field strip, wipe clean, re-oil everytime out. Detail strip and clean occasionally.

 

[kayl]

I voted every 100 rounds, which is generally a range trip for me. However, if I'm super busy and know I'm going to the range again later that week, I won't always clean it. Now, if I were CCWing said gun, I would clean it every time I shot it, no ifs, ands, or buts.

 

[Texas Colt]

Every time I shoot them. This does not include detail stripping the frame of my 1911s. I usually do that about once a year.

Even if it's not as relevant as it was in the black powder era, I still follow the old adage - "Never let the sun set on a dirty gun".

 

[Hauptmann]

If I use it for defense, it's always kept clean and adequately lubercated. In addition, the magazines are always kept clean too. If I don't use the pistol for defense, I'll clean it before I store it away.

 

[dust_101]

I'd vote but I just got a NIB Springfield XD9 and I plan to not clean it for the first 500 rounds, sort of a mini-torture test. After that, as with ANY of my firearms, cleaning is done after a range trip.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I tend to go through and clean/re-lube all of my guns about once a year. Of course I don't have that many so I'm not like those guys who'd have to clean a gun a day in order to do that.


My usual patterns is...

Range guns - Field stripped and cleaned after each session. Detail strip about every 1,000 rounds unless it looks like it needs that extra TLC sooner. Magazines get wiped down after each session and opened up and cleaned also at about 1,000 rounds (unless they've been dropped in the dirt or something).

CCW - Field strip, inspect, and wipedown/lube every 7 days of carry. Also field strip and clean after any practice sessions. Detail strip after 1,000 practice rounds unless something indicates I need to do it sooner.

Hunting Guns - Obsessively clean 2-3 times before hunting season and then get busy with other fun fall stuff and decide not to go hunting again this year.

 

[charlie-6]

Clean after ever range trip.

 

[trueblue1776]

If I go hunting and can't find anything, I may pop off a few rounds at some cans,Then I will go home and do whatever. I may clean it, but I didn't spend a close to a grand on a pistol that will jam on soot.

 

[Claude Clay]

Carry guns after each test fire ( whatever is in gun +150 rounds) about- every 3 months, than i fully clean & oil it & run a mag/cylinder through it --snake it &carry for another 3 months. range guns........snake them & oil after each range time, strip clean when i change my clocks or when they 'tell me to ' (cycle slower or cylinder starts to bind) . even after 4000 rounds, my kimber cleans up like new.....what, me worry?

 

[CountGlockula]

My policy has always been: If you take care of it, it'll take care of you.

I just have to get my lazy self to do it.

 

[sm]

You’re supposed to CLEAN THEM?

Aw man! Next thing folks are gonna say I have to wash my hands after I go to the bathroom and before I eat.


I do not know what I want to be when I grow up, except I don't want to be grown-up. - anon

 

[The Law]

My Sigs only get cleaned rarely. Combat handguns should be able to deal with some filth.

 

[strat81]

I clean them after every range trip. A clean gun is a happy gun.

Plus Hoppes #9 smells so good!

 

[Setzer77]

Realistically a good wipe down and relubricating is good after every range trip, or every so often. Now I'm one of those people who doesn't like dirty oil, so I sometimes clean for no reason at random.

 

[MEH]

Every time I look at it

That would be me... Well almost every time I look at them.

 

[Claude Clay]

as an aside........i like to buy used guns (cost) & some were~ammo shot up before traded. sat dirty in case for year...or more; except for nickle plated ( or black powder) they have ALL cleaned up like new. Makes you wonder, ehh? think of all the time you could be spending with the Mrs (or....) rather than the messes.

 

[Obiwan]

After most range trips...although if I am cleaning my carbine it may just get wiped off until next time

 

[skinewmexico]

Pistols - I lubricate regularly, but only clean every 500-1000 rounds. It's no big deal.
Rifles - clean really well when accuracy starts to drop. I do clean my AR a little more often, but I'm probably 3-400 rounds into it now.

I will wipe them externally to prevent rust.

 

[CajunBass]

Whenever I get around to it. Generally that's after I shoot it, but I don't lose sleep over it if I don't.

Actually I usually let my wife do it. She LIKES to clean guns.

 

[wally]

I clean my carry guns after every outing. The rest just get wiped off and put back in the safe until they have a problem. Guns that don't do 1000+ rounds between cleanings quickly become safe queens.

--wally.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

After each trip... I field strip and clean everything.

 

[usp9]

After every use, whether one round or one thousand.

 

[thebaldguy]

I think it's a good idea to clean and lube your firearms after each use. You don't have to scrub the rifling from the barrel, but you should clean them.

 

[trueblue1776]

but you should clean them

and you should mow your lawn twice a week.