Zen and the art of gun cleaning

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Screendmon

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I am relatively new to gun ownership. But for the past couple months when I go shooting, I am actually looking forward to cleaning the guns. Seems kinda weird, because I don't like to clean anything.

But when I'm cleaning a gun and I'm all alone, it is calming and satisfying when it is all clean. Am I the only one that feels this way? It like a Zen thing in weird sort a way. My wife cant figure it out either.
 
No, I don't think that you are alone in this at all.

But I do have to admit, that I read this thread because of an old book that I read in college called "Zen and motorcycle maintenance".
 
I'm usually the same way. I love cleaning my handguns.

However today I hated cleaning an AR. I swear that my allergies spewed out more stuff than I did lubing the rifle, and I run AR's pretty wet.
It made it a real downer.

Can't wait for spring to be over.
 
I held "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" in Barnes and Noble just last night.

But I opened this thread up thinking it was a Bullseye thread" http://www.bullseyepistol.com/spirit.htm

But, yes, when I actually sit down and clean up the .45 or what not, I do like to take care and make it really clean. (Although many times before a match I am doing a quick scrub and lube in the back of the car :)
 
I kind of enjoy it as well. For me, it's a type of pride of ownership. My guns are my prized possessions, and I while don't mind honest wear, I want them to "be all they can be."
 
I definitely feel the same way when cleaning my handgun. It is very Zen-like. Being so captured by the moment with focused attention is very relaxing for me. I read "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" a long time ago...good read.
 
Same way here... I never understood people who choose not to clean their own guns (I know they exist because there is a market for gun cleaning services), do they not like their guns or something?
 
I take pride in cleaning my guns. Just over the weekend I cleaned a gun that probably hasn't been fired since WWII, my Arisaka Type 38. Checked the bore and saw some cobwebs in there and the bolt was sticky. Cleaned it up all nice and new. Well, new to me anyway. My step dad finally got around to giving it to me, it belonged to his dad, who got it during his Pac Theater service. I got a lot more of the story than I previously had. The man was a B-17 gunner over Europe, was injured and wound up on a hospital ship. Next time he saw land, it was an island in the Pacific. He was a US Army Air Force gunner who participated in the invasion of Palau and Tarawa, and was stationed in Japan after the war as part of the Army of Occupation. He picked up the rifle at some point in one of those three places.
Cleaning it brought some sort of connection to a man who I greatly respect, but never had the chance to meet.
 
BOSH!!!!

There hadda be a dissenting vote. Here it is.

Cleaning guns is maintenance. So is doing the laundry. Likewise emptying the cat's litter box. So would be mucking out the horse stalls, if I had horses. I do 'em as needed, but doing maintenance is not my idea of restful contemplation. It's something to do because it's necessary, and be got done as efficiently as possible so one can go on to something more pleasant and/or profitable.

My guns are as clean as they need to be. They all function perfectly. I don't love the cleaning.

Now, target shooting--when everything's going right--now THAT'S restful. (Bullseye pistol has been described as Zen with a loud bang.) To each their own.
 
It has been said that I clean my guns to excess. Pipe cleaners, cotton swabs, hoppes #9. I do my best cleaning on sundays. Not sure why except that it is almost a religious experience to hear the action working, steel on steel, gears working, springs compressing.....you get the point.....
 
i love cleaning my own weapons. I hate cleaning my m4 after the range though for 2 hours, id pay to not do that.
 
There hadda be a dissenting vote. Here it is.

Cleaning guns is maintenance. So is doing the laundry. Likewise emptying the cat's litter box. So would be mucking out the horse stalls, if I had horses. I do 'em as needed, but doing maintenance is not my idea of restful contemplation. It's something to do because it's necessary, and be got done as efficiently as possible so one can go on to something more pleasant and/or profitable.

My guns are as clean as they need to be. They all function perfectly. I don't love the cleaning.
Click to expand...

Add me for a 2nd vote. Shooting, whether it is dynamic drills, bullseye target practice or just tin can plinking is my zen. Cleaning is a chore that I don't care for...a necessary evil like my laundry.

I work in IT so I like to work with my hands in my off hours. I love doing the stuff other guys complain about, like breaking out the chainsaw and clearing some property. For some, happiness may be found in a bottle of hoppe's...for me happiness is a smooth running husqvarna McCulloch chainsaw...or my weed-eater that scares small children (6+foot with a saw blade...the oversize motor combined with the saw blade makes for a crazy sound!) :)
 
I usually head down to the basement and listen to podcasts of old radio shows like Dragnet and Gunsmoke. I look forward to it.
 
I used to clean them to "Brand-New" shine, even to the point of using some type of rag made for stainless steel that would clean every speck of black off my S&W cylinder fronts.

Anymore, I might shoot fifty or a hundred rounds and might not get to cleaning the gun for a year or longer. It is something I think about doing, however it just keeps getting pushed down on the list of things I should be doing!

I would never let my guns get to the point of being so dirty they don't operate properly. It is extremely dry in my house all year round, so rust is just about out of the question here.

I did purchase some special Sinclair AR-15 bolt lug chamber cleaning rod with holder that replaces the BCG and keeps the rod perfectly in line with the barrel. That sure does take all that gunk out of the chamber and chamber lugs in a short time!
 
I like cleaning my guns, too. It takes me way longer than it should because I prolong it.
 
My wife cannot understand how I can spend several hours cleaning my handguns or rifles so meticulously but still leave all kinds of crud and grease on the dishes. Maybe if she allowed me to use the bore brush instead of the brillo pad I could be more meticulous.
 
I've always loved scrubbing a rifle out. Started in boot camp, it was about the only time other than sunday mornings when there was some kind of calm. I still love to sit in the garage and get out the CLP and rags with my trusty AP brush and dental tools I clean my AR so that my drill instructors would be proud.

Also a great time to catch up on the Rush Limbaugh shows I missed during the week...
 
Babarsac, ever listen to Tales of the Texas Rangers???

I love to clean my weapons on Sunday mornings and listen to Red Steagall and the boys in the bunkhouse.

The Dove
 
I usually head down to the basement and listen to podcasts of old radio shows like Dragnet and Gunsmoke. I look forward to it.
Click to expand...

:what: Wow, how do you do that. (I'm old)

And to think I've been cleaning for years just listening to the radio, perfectly satisfied.
 
i love cleaning my pistols, but only kind of like cleaning my rifles. I love getting all of the gunk out of the action/cylinder with picks and q-tips, but i always kind of thought the barrel was a chore. I have a pretty fast technique for that now though..

I find its a good way to get a feel for used firearms, and have them become more "yours". Im extremely weird about that stuff, and I may be the only one that feels this way :uhoh:
 
I too am a meticulous cleaning fanatic. My theory is that we are subconsciously motivated to do so from a fear that the weapon might fail when we need it most. The calm comes from knowing for sure that every part is perfectly cleaned and lubricated, and the reassembled mechanism is utterly reliable.
 
I love cleaning mine! And others, I charge people 10$ a gun for a complete cleaning and stay pretty busy with it. I've probably paid for gun or 2 with this alone. So I like the people that don't like cleaning their weapons
 
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