how often to clean a unshot carry gun?

[BSA1]

I use very little oil on my EDC as oil runs off. A small drop inside the action on coil spring. On the rest of the gun I use Tetra Gun Grease. I apply it to the rails, around the muzzle where it contacts the barrel bushing and on the hood (locking lugs on a 1911).

Revolvers get oil however. Either CLP or Rem-oil.

 

[1John1:9]

I appreciate the reminder.

I have 2 or 3 guns that don't get shot much. Maybe tomorrow, I'll put some oil on the rails, shoot about 75 rounds through each of them, then clean and lube them.

 

[ChCx2744]

If my carry gun(s) don't get shot for a while, I'll take em down about once a month. No serious cleaning though, just shove a clean patch through the bore and that's probably it.

 

[wally]

Never. I clean it after I shoot up all the ammo I'd been carrying. I do this at increasing intervals as time actually carrying it goes by.

This is how CCW reliability is earned.

New gun, some function tests at the range, clean, carry for a week, repeat, then two weeks, a month, two months, etc. Eventually I'm happy to test it every year or two.

 

[guyfromohio]

I have keyboard duster...compressed air that i use to hose off the carry guns...removing lint and such. I do it when it looks dirty.

 

[cheygriz]

Through cleaning after every shooting.

Otherwise monthly

I use no liquid oil on my guns. Loctite gun grease* (the same copper colored grease Glock's fasctory uses) for slide rails, and rifle bolt lugs, "Dry Slide" or EEZOX for normal lubrication. Rem-Oil isn't bad either. the liquid exaporates and leaves the mostly teflon.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/723099/loctite-c5-a-anti-seize-grease-copper-1-oz-tube

 

[Schwing]

I never clean my carry gun unless it sees range time. I occasionally blow off the dust bunnies and add a drop of oil if needed.

It isn't getting dirty internally unless it is being fired.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

When I was a lad (I'm 57 now) my dad was lifetime military. We took out the shotguns and rifles once a month and cleaned and oiled them, even though they hadn't been shot for months between hunting seasons. Why? We had the old fashioned wooden glass front gun cabinet that proudly sat in the living room. No climate controlled safe. And we lived in some humid places like Georgia and Alabama and Kentucky.

When I became an LEO, our all metal guns were subject to rain, snow and so forth, so I still was in the habit of cleaning them once or more (if wet) a month.

I still have that habit, and now it's just a relaxing thing to do while watching TV, and maybe a little sense of pride and nostalgia.

 

[TimboKhan]

Oddly, now that I have a compressor I too use a blast of air to blow things out. As far as cleaning, I follow a very loose guideline called "when it needs it". If I were to break it down, probably once every 500 rounds or so, depending on the gun and the ammo.

 

[old fart]

thanks every one for your help, i took my nano down today and cleaned. it had not been apart since mid march, i cleaned and relubed.

 

[GBExpat]

it had not been apart since mid march, i cleaned and relubed.

2015?

 

[old fart]

yes it was last month, the gun was fine no dust at least none i could really see. but i cleaned everything off then relubed. almost 6 weeks since it was shot last and cleaned, so if i do go a couple months without shooting i know my gun should still be ok.