New Gun in Box - Clean it or Shoot it?

[johntaylorny]

I just ordered a brand new in the box Kimber 1911. And of course I'm dying to head to the range with it. However, in a recent gun class the instructor told us you are never to shoot a gun new out of the box. It must be disassembled and cleaned first.

Any opinions on this? Before firining it for the first time should I disassemble it and clean it first?

 

[Wildyams]

if you can't get to the range in the next 20 minutes.. why not take it out and tinker with it??
1- you will familiarize yourself with the gun
2- you can make sure it is properly lubed
3- make sure all the parts are there
4- its always fun to have it in your hands

 

[David E]

At least oil it before shooting.

Cleaning it is fine, but not essential. Check the barrel, tho, just to make sure it's clear.

 

[c919]

Before firining it for the first time should I disassemble it and clean it first?

Yes. Absolutely. You need to do a good clean and lube.

If I didn't know that one of my THR cohorts will be along shortly to give you all the details on the process, I'd break it down for you. However, I have to be up very early and am turning in for the night.

Congrats on the new gun, and remember, disassembling and cleaning it will get you familiar and more comfortable with your new baby.

 

[WoofersInc]

I don't think I own a gun that I didn't take apart, and clean, first before taking it out to shoot it. I'm embarrassed to say I still have a couple that are sitting around still unshot. Can't find time to get to the range lately.

 

[Wildyams]

I'm embarrassed to say I still have a couple that are sitting around still unshot

send them here and i'll check and see if they work for ya

 

[essayons21]

Clean it. Even guns from higher end manufacturers often end up with metal filings and other grit and gunk inside when they leave the factory. No need to accelerate wear on your new gun.

 

[Deus Machina]

Clean and lube. Then rack is half a million times.

Found a little gunk in my shotgun after racking it a few times. Not bad, but just new the difference between the grittiness of fresh machine marks and dirt.

Would have shot fine, but nothing works as well dirty as a pump shotgun does. Can't imagine it does good things to the break-in for a Kimber, either.

 

[possum]

welcome to thr. i have been buying guns, shooting, training and reloading a long time, and i always ake a new gun home, clean out the factory gunk and lube it up, and then i go to the range.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I'm with those that say clean, lube, & check it out.

I always clean, lube and make myself familiar with my guns before shooting them. I do this even with new guns, especially anything surplus or used. For your pistol I would field strip it, wipe all surfaces with an oil rag, lightly lube contact points, slide, etc. Quickly clean the barrel and chamber, If its dirty; do a more detailed cleaning. Then function test and look it over to make sure everything looks good.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

There is still production residue in it.

Absolutely clean it.

 

[Fleetwood_Captain]

Well this presents another advantage to buying used firearms.
If it's clean, you shoot it because it's already been shot and oiled.
If it's dirty, well there's your answer right there.

 

[CajunBass]

With the exception of com-bloc military surplus guns I've never really worried about. Some I'm sure I've cleaned before shooting them. Others I went right around the corner to the range, or just took out back and fired a few rounds. Never saw a problem either way.

You probably should, but I doubt it makes much difference either way.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I was just in the same boat only not a Kimber.

Congrats I hear they are very smooth.
I ended up:
Field stripping,
Cleaning with a spray oil remover
Blowing out all areas
Drying with a hard dryer
Using a magnifier I inspected contact surfaces for burrs. (no burrs or shavings)
Took a couple of pics to later blow up on the computer.(this will show any changes after firing)
Oiled lightly
Reassembled

Went to the range and had a blast.

Came home and repeated the above. I smoothed a couple of edges and went back out the next day, then repeated the above.

Mainly I like a zeropoint or known factor. Without disassembly, cleaning ,inspecting and lubeing there is none. You simply don't know if there was a piece of loose metal somewhere.

Welcome I hope you enjoy the new Kimber and this site.

 

[Gouranga]

Open the manual and read what it says. I know in my M&P it said clearly, clean and oil the gun before firing it. I understand the eagerness to get her out for some shots, but If you can't listen to the manufacturer, then you have nobody to blame for any damage done.

 

[ichiban]

With any new gun you should field strip and clean it. After that be sure and safety check it. The same applies whenever a gun is out of your possession (repairs, loaned to a friend, etc.). It doesn't hurt to do the safety check periodically to make sure nothing has changed.

1911 safety check: http://www.cylinder-slide.com/1911safetyck.shtml

 

[JohnBT]

When did people start cleaning guns before they shot them?

I don't remember anybody cleaning a new gun before shooting back in the '50s and '60s; we'd stop on the way home, glance through the barrel and shoot into the first convenient field or hollow. I suppose it was in the '70s or '80s that all this attention to detail started getting popular, although I clearly remember my father shooting a new Police Service Six on the way home in 1985. Those old guns still work and don't seem to be any the worse for wear.

OTOH, there are branches of my family that probably still don't clean guns at all.

John

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

^ I dont think anyone is saying the sky will fall, or it will blow up in his hand.... (Not saying you did either....)

I think its the old 90% +/- of the time you would be fine, but there is always that 10%. The biggest part is checking it out. New or not defects happen and I prefer to know, to the best of my ability, that there are no obvious defects.

 

[Webbj0219]

Ive always heard to clean it first. When my gun was brand new there was way too much oil on it. Looked like they dunked the gun in a pool of oil then packaged it. Maybe to keep it from rusting in case it sits for a long time before selling? I woiuld al teast recomend cleaning up the excess oil. Figure if the gun is wet debri builds up more during use?

 

[Sav .250]

Like most, I`d clean that puppy (to what extent,I`ll leave up to you) .
Your going to have to clean it sooner or later so why not now?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

However, in a recent gun class the instructor told us you are never to shoot a gun new out of the box.

I have found that gun instructors often pass bizarre informartion, sometimes passing off opinion as fact. A smart person with a new gun would read the manual first given that the instructor wasn't the one that manufactured the gun.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/downloads/manuals/Compact.pdf See page 26 and in this case, the advice matches.

It does not match for a Junior Colt www.coltsmfg.com/fdownload-r2-q15-Automatic_Junior_Caliber_.25_Pistol.aspx

not for HK http://www.hecklerkoch-usa.com/images/shared/USP Manual REV 3-07.pdf

 

[youngda9]

What about for a revolver....still need to strip and clean like an autoloader?

 

[Coltdriver]

I have never had a new semi automatic pistol that did not have some machining chips in it brand new. They all get some kind of protective oil/grease what ever put on them.

Definitely clean it. And the first time out I don't shoot em much, 100 rounds tops. When you take it apart again there will be a few more bits in there to clean up.

 

[jenrob]

Wipe the excess oil off it look it over run a boar snake down the barrel. Les baer state to not brake down before shooting. But to wipe it down.

99% of the time I don't make it home with a new unfired gun. It's always got atleast one full mag if not a full box or more shot through it.

 

[wishin]

Only running a patch thru the bore. I've never had a problem.