How often do you clean?
- Thread starter Afy
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Few months ago I went to a CCW class. In my county actual shooting isn't required for CCW, just a legal and safety class. Didn't bother me because I have been shooting since I was eight and already had a CCW, I was just there because I hadn't been to the class offered by the Sheriff. Figure about fifty people in the classroom.
Anyways...when talking about going out and practicing the Deputy asks "How many of you clean your gun after every shoot?". About half the class raised their hands. The Deputy then says "Okay everyone that is lying put your hands down." Bout half that put their hands down.
The Deputy then says "Okay you other guys are lying too, but yes you should clean your gun after every shooting session".
Anyways...when talking about going out and practicing the Deputy asks "How many of you clean your gun after every shoot?". About half the class raised their hands. The Deputy then says "Okay everyone that is lying put your hands down." Bout half that put their hands down.
The Deputy then says "Okay you other guys are lying too, but yes you should clean your gun after every shooting session".
bill larry
Member
I DO clean every gun, every time I shoot them. I'm a bit OCD about that. I've heard you can wear a gun from improper cleaning...so use the right tools on them.
CDignition
Member
Over cleaning is a plague on precision rifle bores...Chrome lined barrels don't need cleaning at all really, but clean em with a shot of CLP and wipe out with a boresnake...
Precision rifles shouldnt use a brush at all, just patches with solvent... Barrel break in is a myth, and wasteful to time and overcleaning.
Precision rifles shouldnt use a brush at all, just patches with solvent... Barrel break in is a myth, and wasteful to time and overcleaning.
SaMx
Member
after every trip to the range. just run a patch or two through the barrel, and a wipe out the action and trigger group.
KINGMAX
Member
every time to the range
Always after a trip to the range. I not really a 'clean freak' type, more for PM. Tighten screws make sure nothing broke this trip. That sorta stuff.
Always after a trip to the range. I not really a 'clean freak' type, more for PM. Tighten screws make sure nothing broke this trip. That sorta stuff.
10-Ring
Member
Almost immediately after shooting...time permitting. My guns are still hot & I'm field stripping them.
So, I guess, I clean after every shooting session
So, I guess, I clean after every shooting session
Steve H
Member
When I'm at the range with my hunting rifles and working up some loads I clean them after every three shots. Usally I have 3 - 4 rifles with me and cycle them thru the process: shoot 3 rounds, wet patch, soak bbl. for a few minutes, brush & patches. Each rifle will usally get no more that 21 rounds a trip doing this. IMHO this give me good data for how accurate a load is for hunting...clean & cool bbl.
DMK
Member
Yes, every time. Not always the same day, although I try to and definitely do when I shoot corrosive ammo. However, I'll get them cleaned at most within two days.
Sometimes I'll just use the boresnake and CLP on a 22.
The only time I don't clean after I shoot is if I only shot like 10-20 rounds and it's not corrosive.
If you are worried about wearing out your guns, just be careful. Don't let the cleaning rod touch the muzzle (and always use a muzzle guide if you can't clean from the breach) and wipe the rod down on every pass.
plexreticle
Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,240
I avoid disassembly beyond basic field stripping more that I have to. Consider using a rod guide and one piece rod for barrell cleaning if possible.
Frog48
Member
I clean after every shoot... except my SKS. It only gets cleaned when I'm bored and have absolutely nothing better to do. 
dispatch55126
Member
I admit, I'm Obsessive Compulsive when it comes to cleaning my guns.
Jackal
Member
Never
Patriot-Brewer
Member
I shower every night.
Oh, my guns? Sorry
I clean them either the day of shooting or within a week or two as soon as I have time.
Oh, my guns? Sorry
I clean them either the day of shooting or within a week or two as soon as I have time.
wanderinwalker
Member
How Often?
Not as often as my friends think I should! Sadly for most of them, they can't outshoot me and have a hard time telling me that "you'll loose your accuracy!"
Seriously, it depends on how ambitious I am. Before a match, I always clean my rifle. Or at least clean the bolt and carrier and trigger group (it's an AR-15).
My Marlin, my .22s and others, I get to when I get to. Usually it's a lazy-afternoon thing, or if the .22 seems kind of grungy. The Marlin will run well even very dirty, and accuracy doesn't seem to matter either way.
I don't run brushes down the .22 bores and I rarely use solvent. Something I picked up from smallbore shooters, who very rarely clean their rifles.
Now my Glock, I clean every 500 rounds or 3 months, whichever comes first. Sometimes it's 3 month, sometimes it's 500 rounds. And sometimes I wait 3 months when I know I'm over my 500 rounds!
My opinion, most firearms are more durable and more reliable than most people think and don't generally need the white-glove treatment more than twice a year or so (more often for anything I'm using for matches or "non-range").
Of course, when I feel I need to give something a good cleaning, I go shoot blackpowder.
Not as often as my friends think I should! Sadly for most of them, they can't outshoot me and have a hard time telling me that "you'll loose your accuracy!"
Seriously, it depends on how ambitious I am. Before a match, I always clean my rifle. Or at least clean the bolt and carrier and trigger group (it's an AR-15).
My Marlin, my .22s and others, I get to when I get to. Usually it's a lazy-afternoon thing, or if the .22 seems kind of grungy. The Marlin will run well even very dirty, and accuracy doesn't seem to matter either way.
I don't run brushes down the .22 bores and I rarely use solvent. Something I picked up from smallbore shooters, who very rarely clean their rifles.
Now my Glock, I clean every 500 rounds or 3 months, whichever comes first. Sometimes it's 3 month, sometimes it's 500 rounds. And sometimes I wait 3 months when I know I'm over my 500 rounds!
My opinion, most firearms are more durable and more reliable than most people think and don't generally need the white-glove treatment more than twice a year or so (more often for anything I'm using for matches or "non-range").
Of course, when I feel I need to give something a good cleaning, I go shoot blackpowder.
collateral
Member
Im not really a clean freak about my guns, but I do take care of them.
I clean my shotgun every time I use it. I cant say the same about my rifles though...
I clean my shotgun every time I use it. I cant say the same about my rifles though...
thebaldguy
Member
I think it's a good idea to clean after each range session. If it's done carefully, I don't see how cleaning can damage a firearm.
Zak Smith
Member
Rarely. I live in a dry environment and only do a really thorough cleaning if it gets wet.
For the precision rifles, I don't do anything different. Once the bore has settled in and isn't fouling very bad, I can go as long as 1000-2000 rounds between cleanings on my 308 AW.
For the precision rifles, I don't do anything different. Once the bore has settled in and isn't fouling very bad, I can go as long as 1000-2000 rounds between cleanings on my 308 AW.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
When you break in a quality barrel the one thing you are trying to do is save time down the road in keeping it clean. I clean most of my guns after every range session. The ones I don't clean are the 22s, they really shoot better if you don't. Run a patch down the barrel of the 22s every once in a while and keep an eye out for leading.
The pistols and other rifles get the cleaning.
A large percentage of shooters totally forget the chamber and go straight for the bore. That chamber will rust and spit, I mean pit on you and leave you hanging with a wall hanger.
The pistols and other rifles get the cleaning.
A large percentage of shooters totally forget the chamber and go straight for the bore. That chamber will rust and spit, I mean pit on you and leave you hanging with a wall hanger.
BADUNAME13
Member
After I shoot. Marine Corps Brainwashed.
.22's are the exception. I just spray them out.
Yes if you clean your rifle incorrectly you will damage them more than you would without cleaning.
.22's are the exception. I just spray them out.
Yes if you clean your rifle incorrectly you will damage them more than you would without cleaning.
I clean 22s when they start to fail.
I clean rifles when they get dirty.
I clean handguns when I feel like it.
I clean corrosive ammo guns after every session.
I clean shotguns when hunting season is over.
I treat my firearms like tools. I have a couple of prom-queen guns that I keep really spotless, but they are the exception.
I clean rifles when they get dirty.
I clean handguns when I feel like it.
I clean corrosive ammo guns after every session.
I clean shotguns when hunting season is over.
I treat my firearms like tools. I have a couple of prom-queen guns that I keep really spotless, but they are the exception.
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
I clean after every range session. Bore Snake, Bore Brush, Hopps and patches wet & dry ending with a light oil.
jeffkirchner
Member
I always clean after every range session. I wouldn't be confident carrying a dirty gun, and relying on it if I had to.
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