how often do you clean your weapons?
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scaatylobo
Member
Target/plinking v/s carry guns
I clean the target/plinking guns about once a year.
The carry guns get cleaned when I arrive home from range.
Just took apart a Ruger mark II that has not been cleaned properly in 10 years,was in very good shape and function was perfect with all ammo.Usually got a bore wipe and chamber wipe only.
ANY gun that could be a 'social gun' is cleaned asap.
I clean the target/plinking guns about once a year.
The carry guns get cleaned when I arrive home from range.
Just took apart a Ruger mark II that has not been cleaned properly in 10 years,was in very good shape and function was perfect with all ammo.Usually got a bore wipe and chamber wipe only.
ANY gun that could be a 'social gun' is cleaned asap.
BADUNAME37
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Excellent!
I hadn't thought of that, but I see how it could be so easy to possibly miss just one little thing, and with a defense weapon, that would be the LAST THING I would want -- I never want to hear just 'click'! :banghead:
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I liken it to taking your car in for new brakes (or an engine overhaul!), and then leaving on a 1,000 mile trip straight from the repair shop. Might be a little more comfortable if I've run it around town for a day or so to make sure everything's working just right before I put life-and-death trust in it.Modern ammunition doesn't do anything to a gun that really requires them to be cleaned right away (or even for years, generally), under normal circumstances.
I run a quick bore cleaning patch, oil, and wipe rag once through the bore for each gun, at the range, after I have finished with it. Just in case ther
I clean when the mag well or action looks dirty, or when I get guilty, or just want to spend spend some quality time with the objects.
Unused (rare) get oiled lightly every 2 months or so, but not disassembled and cleaned.
I clean when the mag well or action looks dirty, or when I get guilty, or just want to spend spend some quality time with the objects.
Unused (rare) get oiled lightly every 2 months or so, but not disassembled and cleaned.
mgmorden
Member
If they show any rust they'll be cleaned. If I hunt with a gun in the rain I'll dry and clean it as preventative maintenance. The cap'n ball revolver gets cleaned whenever its shot.
For the rest of them, they get cleaned every 700-800 rounds, or if they experience any malfunction that I believe is related to being dirty. Only a few get shot often enough to warrant those types of cleanings (basically a few handguns).
In general I think there's far too much made over gun cleaning. Yes they do occasionally need it, but the thought that every time they come out of the safe you need to clean them is mostly an outdated relic left over from the days of blackpowder and corrosive primers. If you're not shooting those things these days, then it doesn't warrant that level of attention.
For the rest of them, they get cleaned every 700-800 rounds, or if they experience any malfunction that I believe is related to being dirty. Only a few get shot often enough to warrant those types of cleanings (basically a few handguns).
In general I think there's far too much made over gun cleaning. Yes they do occasionally need it, but the thought that every time they come out of the safe you need to clean them is mostly an outdated relic left over from the days of blackpowder and corrosive primers. If you're not shooting those things these days, then it doesn't warrant that level of attention.
HoosierQ
Member
I clean them as soon as I can get to them after shooting. I clean my EDC between shooting it sometimes because lint builds up in the nooks and crannies...that cleaning is more like a dusting a little lube freshening.
JTQ
Member
This American Handgunner article from Roy Huntington is worthwhile for this discussion.
In general, he thinks most of us over clean our guns and detail strip some guns way too often. He does recommend, as some already have, if you have taken apart the gun to clean it, you may want to shoot it a time or two after you put it back together to make sure it will work.
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHMA11/?Page=114
In general, he thinks most of us over clean our guns and detail strip some guns way too often. He does recommend, as some already have, if you have taken apart the gun to clean it, you may want to shoot it a time or two after you put it back together to make sure it will work.
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHMA11/?Page=114
kcshooter
Member
Basic field strip and clean every gun after every range trip for non-carry firearms, long gun or handgun. Non-carry are the ones I shoot for fun or comp. They are cleaned close to spotless and put away well oiled. Very seldom are range guns detail stripped and cleaned. For the rifles that are used to hunt, they usually get a good going over before and after but depends on what they were exposed to.
Carry and HD handguns are cleaned when shot and cleaned once a month whether or not they are shot. Bore wiped out, dust and lint wiped off, reoiled. Fully detail stripped and cleaned about once a year, you'd be suprised by the amount of gook that gets into nooks and cranies when worn in a holster every day. Yes, I always prove them after tearing them down more than a basic field strip.
HD long guns are cleaned every couple months if not shot. Just a pass thru the bore and a wipe down and reoil. I've got a shotgun and AR under/near the bed and 2 shotguns near other entrances.
Probably overkill to many people, but they're my guns, and I like 'em clean.
Carry and HD handguns are cleaned when shot and cleaned once a month whether or not they are shot. Bore wiped out, dust and lint wiped off, reoiled. Fully detail stripped and cleaned about once a year, you'd be suprised by the amount of gook that gets into nooks and cranies when worn in a holster every day. Yes, I always prove them after tearing them down more than a basic field strip.
HD long guns are cleaned every couple months if not shot. Just a pass thru the bore and a wipe down and reoil. I've got a shotgun and AR under/near the bed and 2 shotguns near other entrances.
Probably overkill to many people, but they're my guns, and I like 'em clean.
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I' running modern non-corrosive ammo in modern firearms, so retail cleaning nornally occurrs when I have the gun apart for other reasons - and often not then. The only gun I've ever owned that required regular cleaning was a ported 1911 - a previous owner ported the barrel, bushing, and slide, creating lots of bushing issues when it got dirty. After 150 rounds or so, it required help to go into battery. I changed the barrel and bushing, and it is now a tack-driver than will shoot thousands of rounds between cleanings.
Carry guns get an external surface cleaning after every day at the range, and the rest may get a quick wipedown. All get lubed as needed. I live in a very dry climate, rust is pretty uncommon on guns here.
Carry guns get an external surface cleaning after every day at the range, and the rest may get a quick wipedown. All get lubed as needed. I live in a very dry climate, rust is pretty uncommon on guns here.
ny32182
Member
For safe queens, I will pull them out and re-lube about once a year or so when I think it is time; no real set schedule.
For my carry gun I would clean it every time I shoot it, which is basically never anymore. As it is I re-lube it every few months. G19.
My current IDPA gun, which is the one I shoot (currently an M&P Pro) I do a basic cleaning after 300-500 rounds. It will start short stroking and/or not go all the way into battery at about 500 rounds with the 13lb spring. (G34 I shot before was the same). I detail clean these and replace the smaller internal springs every 5-10k, depending on when I get around to it.
For my carry gun I would clean it every time I shoot it, which is basically never anymore. As it is I re-lube it every few months. G19.
My current IDPA gun, which is the one I shoot (currently an M&P Pro) I do a basic cleaning after 300-500 rounds. It will start short stroking and/or not go all the way into battery at about 500 rounds with the 13lb spring. (G34 I shot before was the same). I detail clean these and replace the smaller internal springs every 5-10k, depending on when I get around to it.
J_McLeod
Member
The carry guns get cleaned after every range trip. The XDs, AR and AK get cleaned when they stop working or before matches.
Was wondering what I could get the wife interested in today. I have only shot the .22 ARs and the 7.62x39 pig hunting this year.....So all the rest with the exception of a few pistols have been safe queens....Yuck I hate to drag everything out and spend the next couple of hours cleaning!!! Honey, hey, I got something to show you!! Actually a family who cleans together stays together....reasonable when said with a twitch in your lip.
Esoxchaser
Member
I work outdoors in a dirty environment, so my EDC gets taken down at least every other day.
Everything else gets cleaned as soon as possible after use.
Everything else gets cleaned as soon as possible after use.
Arkansas Paul
Member
+1
I clean my hunting rifles at the end of each hunting season. My pistols are cleaned after about every 5 range trips or so. My Marlin 60, well I've had it for 6 years and I think I've sprayed the action with Gun Scrubber 1 time.
My "range/fun only" guns get cleaned whenever I feel the urge or if they're beginning to malfunction. My self defense pistols get a thorough field strip and cleaning after each trip to the range. If I ever need my shots to "count" out of my SD guns, I'd like to know at least they're not going to malfunction due to my laziness.
Yeah but unless you live in a place where you can shoot daily or don't have many firearms this isn't the norm for most people.
I live in the suburbs and have 26 firearms, shooting and cleaning all of them in a month would be a full time job in itself.
For me, I clean all firearms after I shoot them but only usually take one long gun and two or three handguns out to the range at a time. Firearms that have been sitting for six months get a good cleaning whether they have been fired or not as a precaution after finding some rust on my SKS.
Okiegunner
Member
Clean them after each use. However, I enjoy field-stripping my pistols, each week I'll usually fieldstrip, inspect and lightly lube a couple of them even if they have not been recently fired.
Captain Brown Beard
Member
Depends what I'm shooting. Most guns I clean soon after getting home from the range. Good example is my AK, have to clean it after I run corrosive through it, else it turns to a rust bucket. Others that are a PITA to tear down, like Mark III, I clean when they need it.
Gtimothy
Member
All guns used at the range get cleaned and lubed when I get home. Carry gun gets cleaned and lubed twice a week wether it's been shot or not. I sweat a LOT and it gets hot and humid here in Florida! It's easier to prevent rust than to remove it!
My locked breech semiauto handguns, very rarely. They just don't get very dirty.
I've learned to clean my semiauto rifle every now and again, even though I've never had a malfunction (piston operated, not direct gas). It's because carbon buildup in the gas tube can make future disassembly difficult or potentially damaging if let go too long.
I've learned to clean my semiauto rifle every now and again, even though I've never had a malfunction (piston operated, not direct gas). It's because carbon buildup in the gas tube can make future disassembly difficult or potentially damaging if let go too long.
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