I don't clean my guns!

[gaston_45]

Are they still shooting accurately and functioning 100 percent reliably? If so then there is NO need to clean them. In fact, the instruction manual for my Marrrlin 917vs clearly states that under normal use you should NEVER clean the bore!

By all means, get a bore snake for each caliber and a bottle of clp, but don't go creating extra wear on your guns if they don't need it. Oil then enough to keep rust at bay and contact points in semi autos and that is all you need to do.

 

[WayneConrad]

Cleaning rods? Why not a piece of copper wire?

When I'm just putting patches though the barrel, I use a piece of 18-or-so gauge solid copper wire that I stripped the insulation off of. Make a U on one end and twist it into a loop that will accept a patch and you're good to go. I push the wire into the breech until it comes out the muzzle, put my muzzle guide over the wire and into the muzzle, put a patch in the loop, then pull the wire from the muzzle end. When I forget where I put my muzzle guide, I just use my fingers to keep the wire away from the crown.

I had some wire laying around so it was free (I'm sure by now everyone knows how cheap I am).

I came up with this because I hated the idea of hard steel or aluminum rods touching the bore (no matter how careful I am, I always end up clinking the rod against the bore), and I don't want to spend good money on a fancy cleaning rod. It seems to me that copper is too soft to hurt the bore. I wipe the wire down with about every other patch to keep it from accumulating crud.

Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to attach a brush to my wire, so on those occasions when a brush is necessary I have to use a rod anyhow. Fortunately, I don't need to use brushes very often.

PS: I'm no expert and could be very wrong.

 

[entropy]

*I don't clean my guns*

Yeah, a lotta guys don't. These are the ones that pull Ol' Bessy outta the closet the week before deer opener and are amazed that she doesn't go *Bang!*, since she did last year, even though they hadn't cleaned her since they bought her new in 1972. I like these guys, they keep me busy!

But seriously, for what you want to do, I suggest a combination of some of the aforementioned tips:

* Get a good one-piece .22 cal. rod, long enought to clean your longest rifle. I use a Dewey, but can recommend the Tipton carbon fibers and Pro-Shot steel rods.(used with bore guides/muzzle protectors.)
* One good phospor bronze brush for each caliber you shoot. I Use Pro-Shot and Dewey.
* A Bottle of one of the following; (Your choice; they all work well)
Hoppe's Benchrest #9, Sweet's 7.62, Birchwood Casey Bore Scubber.
* A can or bottle of one of the following: Break Free CLP (the best), RemOil (best on blued guns), Eezox(great for humid climes), CorrosionX(great for guns that don't get cleaned a lot)
* A can of Gunk® Super Spray, lots cheaper than GunScrubber.

I use these items to clean my own guns, and at the shop. Well, the really bad ones go in the ultrasonic! Aside from the ultrasonic, this setup should run you @ your $50, and even if you go a couple $ over, it is a worthwhile investment in your collection.

 

[KriegHund]

I have a simple hoppes #9 kit for about 20$. Good for the first two dozen or so cleaning's. Then you will need to buy some more patches, but those are cheap. It has everything you need except brushes.

Many brushes will cover a variety of calibres, but make sure you get one that matches the cleaning rod you have.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I take 6-10 guns to the gravel pits at a time. I use the foaming bore cleaner. Works well enough on milsurps and saves me the trouble of having to brush ny life away.

ZM

 

[PromptCritical]

Tell you what, Joey

I'll let you rent my cleaning gear. The fee: Clean all my guns for me.

 

[entreus]

Just a FYI, I used to buy the cheap cleaning supplies, but found buying better supplies reduces the time spent cleaning.

Haven't tried the brake cleaner, but it sounds like a good way to shorten the cleaning time. I'm a little over the top when it comes to cleaning, but shortening the cleaning time is always good.

I use a heavy rod that is sized for my pistols, haven't bought a one piece for my rifles but I will. I purchased a big bottle of Hoppes, it's like a half gallon or something. Been using it for three years.

Just get them clean they'll last longer.

 

[KD7ONE]

I was always told that a dirty gun is a persons worst enemy.

 

[Brad Johnson]

A good cleaning rod is a single investment that will last a lifetime. You will never regret spending $30, $40, or even $50 on a quality cleaning rod. They are easier to use and easier on your guns. If all you have is $50 right now, spend it on a rod. In a month spend another $12-15 on a bottle of Hoppes and a couple of brushes.

For general cleaning you can get away with soaking in WD-40 and brushing with an old toothbrush. Rinse in naptha or (not recommended) gasoline to get rid of all the crud-laden residue, and wipe down with light machine oil.

Or get a can of CLP and do the same thing without the associated dangers.

A clean gun is a happy gun.

Brad

 

[pezzulli]

I think that he is pulling everyone's leg, just look again at his list of firearms and the questions he asks throughout this thread!

John

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

If you had crappy guns or finnicky 1911s i could see cleaning them all the time.

But a quality gun like a SIG doesnt have to be babied. It i designed to go a few trips without cleaning.

Buy good stuff and it will last forever without being spoiled.

 

[Lamb of Gun]

Kmart carries a bitchin' cleaning kit that comes in a wooden case. It's about 18 bucks and it comes with literally everything except hoppes.

It's the only one with a wooden case, you can't miss it.

 

[Guncrazy45]

I was always told that a dirty gun is a persons worst enemy.

That's absolutely correct. If the bullet doesn't kill you outright, you could get tetanus.

 

[KINGMAX]

Some don't clean after a fouling shot

I have a freind of mine that will not clean his rifle after it has been zeroed for hunting season for the ongoing year.

I have been known to do a fouling shot after cleaning a rifle if I plan to use it within a month.

There is a difference to where your first cold shot will strike after a fresh cleaning. That is the purpous of the fouling shot.

 

[KINGMAX]

That is a good kit a Wallyworld

That is a good kit a Wallyworld, but the little brass rods will break sorta ez, be careful with them. The won't scar the inside of the barrels either.

 

[BADUNAME13]

The Blue and black can of spray lube in the Automotive department: (~$1 a can)
The Red automotive grease (~ $5 and LASTS)
Rags
Q Tips
A Boresnake

That is all I have used for the 2 Tactical Response Fighting rifle and HRCC Shooting classes.

 

[spyderdude]

I work at McDonalds part time, making just over minimum wage. Even as a broke college student, I can afford to spend 10 bucks on a cleaning kit from Wal-Mart. I also find cleaning my guns to be relaxing and quite fun. Nothing is more satisfying than having clean guns, ready to be used again.

 

[Professor K]

It's not a matter of money, it's a matter of you being lazy. You can clean your guns for pretty much zero dollars.

I cleaned out my Mauser barrel, which was all caked with dirt and crap, with a cut up old tshirt for patches, and hot water for part of it, and liquid wrench (2 bucks a can) for the other parts.

All you have to do to clean a gun is just get a rag and water, along with maybe some sort of oil. You can use liquid wrench or WD40 or some other kinda solvent oil to get stuff off, you can also use it to lubricate them too.

To clean the bore, get patches or cut up an old shirt or something, and spray the patches with liquid wrench, Windex also works great, too. Windex is reccomended by the guy from box of truth for corrosive primed stuff.

I dont know, I never had any guide to clean guns or anything, but most people just kind of figure out. You clean it basically like any other dirty thing, really. Not cleaning them just shows lazyness, nothing more or less.

 

[marshall3]

How to save more money on cleaning...

Buy Hoppes # 9 gun cleaner, and DON'T buy any after shave or cologne. Just dab on a little Hoppes, and you are good to go. There, saved you some money!

 

[Valkman]

I quit using patches and rods some time ago - Boresnake and brake cleaner followed by some oil is fast and does a great job.

 

[Valkman]

I do like to double post though - deleted.

 

[Gold Bricks]

I also find cleaning my guns to be relaxing and quite fun. Nothing is more satisfying than having clean guns, ready to be used again.

I find this true as well. I clean my gun after everytime i go shooting. Maybe it was from going paintballing, ya gotta keep those things clean....

 

[skeeter1]

This is the best advice you'll read today

Hint-Hint

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You should always clean your weapons!

If you shoot regularly, after each use.

If not used, at least twice per year.


Fuel for thought: When cleaning firearms with match grade barrels,
stay away from aluminum rods. Use only rods with protective plastic
coating! As the FRAM oil filter man say's, "You Can Pay Me Now, Or
Pay Me Later!

I have one handgun that's 45 years old and still like new. Like all of my firearms, if I use it, I clean it the same day. That's what my dad taught me.

You can get a nice cleaning kit for twenty bucks:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/CLN958-2303-857.html

There's no excuse for having a dirty firearm.

 

[mrsig]

I have many cleaning supplies, but I only clean when something fails. It has been over 1000 rounds for the guns I shoot most often. The only cleaning I do is an oily rag to wipe off any fingerprints. All of the guns continue to run...

- Sig

 

[DWARREN123]

Things you should have;
Otis multi caliber cleaning kit (for rifle & pistol)
Hoppe's #9 cleaner (or other good product)
A stainless rod with ball bearing handle (for long guns)
And anything else you want or need such as shotgun tools