Screendmon
Member
I feel the same way oerllikon.
Zen and the art of gun cleaning
- Thread starter Screendmon
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pockets
Member
I'm right there with ya.
I love mechanical things....however I do not love 'cleaning' anything.
I suppose if I only had one gun (or even two guns), it might be enjoyable.
But cleaning several after a shooting session is just 'maintenance'.
.
BeerSleeper
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- Joined
- Mar 24, 2010
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- 688
Cleaning guns is a chore.
An important chore, and certainly less unpleasant than a great many other chores, but nonetheless, I am not on the verge of achieving oneness with Hoppe's 9.
Most of my guns are stainless and polymer, for the specific reason that means they will forgive me if they only get cleaned every second or third range trip, instead of every one.
An important chore, and certainly less unpleasant than a great many other chores, but nonetheless, I am not on the verge of achieving oneness with Hoppe's 9.
Most of my guns are stainless and polymer, for the specific reason that means they will forgive me if they only get cleaned every second or third range trip, instead of every one.
ForumSurfer
Member
Yep. Building an ar or modifying one is so much fun. Adding a new part that requires you to look up part schematics or youtube videos is fun. Polishing internal surfaces for that finishing touch on a trigger job is fun. Cleaning more than 1 or 2 guns after a 4 hour+ shooting outing is a chore (for me).
B1gGr33n
Member
I love cleaning my guns! I clean them all at least once a month, whether they need it or not. I set up my laptop with a good 'gunner' movie (Shooter, Unforgiven, Boondock Saints, etc) for background noise and just get lost in the moment lol
Not a fan.
My pistols get blown out with non-chlorinated brake cleaner, and a couple patches down the barrel ever 1000 rounds, and a couple drops of CLP every week or so.
My rifles really only get shot in competition, so after each match I pull the BCG from my AR, strip it down, and blow everything off with brake cleaner, add a dab of grease to the cam pin, clean the chamber with a chamber brush, bore snake, and done.
Shotguns. Um... yeah I don't remember the last time I cleaned my 870.
My pistols get blown out with non-chlorinated brake cleaner, and a couple patches down the barrel ever 1000 rounds, and a couple drops of CLP every week or so.
My rifles really only get shot in competition, so after each match I pull the BCG from my AR, strip it down, and blow everything off with brake cleaner, add a dab of grease to the cam pin, clean the chamber with a chamber brush, bore snake, and done.
Shotguns. Um... yeah I don't remember the last time I cleaned my 870.
xfyrfiter
Member
Not too much Zen in cleaning, but shooting, and reloading now that's my zone.
blakeci
Member
Ain't nothing better than listening to classical music turned up while cleaning my handguns. Ever clean a 1903 Colt pocket Hammerless while listening to Beethoven's 5th? 
It tells me the story of the gun when I take it apart and see the way it fits together, how it wears, and what parts appear worn more than normal. Every one is different, you can tell a lot about how a gun is going to shoot based on whats going on inside when you take it apart.
Creature
Member
Used to be enjoyable for me in the beginning...but it has since lost its charm and become more of a chore.
sm
member
I was mentored well...
Just show up, shoot other folk's guns and let them deal with it.
Zen is sitting on the porch, with a good dawg, glass of tea, smoking a fine cigar, or having a cigarette, and remembering the good time you had shooting, without all the after the fact stuff, like cleaning guns.
*grin*
Just show up, shoot other folk's guns and let them deal with it.
Zen is sitting on the porch, with a good dawg, glass of tea, smoking a fine cigar, or having a cigarette, and remembering the good time you had shooting, without all the after the fact stuff, like cleaning guns.
*grin*
Dulvarian
Member
I've been thinking about this thread for other reasons than just cleaning and shooting.
There is an entire cycle there. Not to wax too philosophical, but the entire process of acquiring, acquainting, maintaining, and using my firearms is all part of it.
I have never felt the same pleasure shooting someone else's gun as I do my own. There is a huge difference to me between looking through a foreign scope with an unknown zero and trigger pull and my own rifles. I have cleaned and inspected mine to the point where I could mentally picture each mechanical piece moving as the trigger breaks and the firing pin makes contact.
There isn't anything wrong with chores, either.
The single time it has ever bothered me cleaning guns was when I took someone I am not incredibly fond of out to go shoot for some male bonding time. I was told that they would assist me in the cleaning of said firearms (all mine), and they did not. Maybe the gun cleaning karma is just my conscience trying to get me back for not maintaining my dad's guns when I was a kid.
It simply is. But if you neglect cleaning, don't blame your gun when it fails you. That would be like blaming your car when the engine seizes because you didn't change the oil. <I've seen too many do both.>
There is an entire cycle there. Not to wax too philosophical, but the entire process of acquiring, acquainting, maintaining, and using my firearms is all part of it.
I have never felt the same pleasure shooting someone else's gun as I do my own. There is a huge difference to me between looking through a foreign scope with an unknown zero and trigger pull and my own rifles. I have cleaned and inspected mine to the point where I could mentally picture each mechanical piece moving as the trigger breaks and the firing pin makes contact.
There isn't anything wrong with chores, either.
The single time it has ever bothered me cleaning guns was when I took someone I am not incredibly fond of out to go shoot for some male bonding time. I was told that they would assist me in the cleaning of said firearms (all mine), and they did not. Maybe the gun cleaning karma is just my conscience trying to get me back for not maintaining my dad's guns when I was a kid. It simply is. But if you neglect cleaning, don't blame your gun when it fails you. That would be like blaming your car when the engine seizes because you didn't change the oil. <I've seen too many do both.>
Screendmon
Member
Well all of my guns I bought were used, so it is a way of making it yours when you give a good cleaning. Get familiar with all the parts and make it yours.
Dulvarian, I understand what you mean, I wouldn't get the same feeling using or cleaning someone elses gun.
Dulvarian, I understand what you mean, I wouldn't get the same feeling using or cleaning someone elses gun.
Ignition Override
Member
Screendmon:
You might be motivated as many of us are, to keep guns from looking like the neglected classics we see at the gun shows.
If you guys have the History or Military Channel in a room where you can clean (over two old towels on the floor or a table), is this almost enough motivation?
Maybe a Band of Brothers DVD?
Photos of faded battle rifles on Gunbroker always do the trick.
You might be motivated as many of us are, to keep guns from looking like the neglected classics we see at the gun shows.
If you guys have the History or Military Channel in a room where you can clean (over two old towels on the floor or a table), is this almost enough motivation?
Maybe a Band of Brothers DVD?
Photos of faded battle rifles on Gunbroker always do the trick.
I also have more faith in a gun that I cleaned and tested. When I am done I know it's operational and am sure as humanlly possible that other than an ammo malfunction perhaps a bad primer, that the first round will go off, and 99.9% sure that it will feed after that. I always test my pistols with a pencil with a new erasor on the end, to make sure that the firing pin is extending properlly. It just sits better with me that way. That doesn't mean I over clean them, but I do believe in cleaning after each firing session, since I carry all of my guns in some sort of rotation. So I want to be sure the thing is prepared to do it's job should the need arise. I never understood people who didn't think that this was an important issue with gun ownership. I have met many people overthe years who never cleaned their guns, and were afraid to diassemble them. Some actually don't shoot them because they don't know how to field strip them or just do the basic maintenence on them. Most are so simple now with the modern day technology, there really is no excuse not to clean them.
I hear ya. I'm doing the whole student thing and work as a lifeguard, so there is WAY TOO MUCH sitting around in my life right now. I actually sit in a college class and think "I'd probably be a lot happier right now if I just dropped out and got a job digging ditches."
I do enjoy the cleaning of some of the guns though. My Ruger SR9 and Saiga rifle are my favorites. I field strip them, turn on some Rolling Stones and CCR. I've found a cure for hair loss - its all the testosterone that acumulates when you have "Fortunate Son" playing while you strip down an AK.
No Seriously, try it.
Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
kingvillien
Member
It depends on the firearm. When it comes to my rifles and shotguns I almost dread shooting them, because I know i have to cleaning them soon after. With my handguns I feel can sit back and relax knowing that i'll be done in twenty to forty minutes.
JackTheRipper
Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2010
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- 170
hmmm I love the smell of Hoppe's 9!
RimfireChris
Member
I clean mine immediately or within a day of a range session, extremely thoroughly, but I do not in any way enjoy, though some guns are worse than others, as far as PITA factor. I love my P22 but hate cleaning it. Not because it's difficult to take down, but because of the design it's impossible to get in all the spots to get it as clean as I'd like. This probably explains why like revolvers, bolt actions and single shots.
I do like working on my peices though. I've put DIP triggers/guards on a Marlin 795 and 60, modified a S&W cylinder latch, and refurbished an old cap and ball replica, and enjoyed myself during the whole process.
I do like working on my peices though. I've put DIP triggers/guards on a Marlin 795 and 60, modified a S&W cylinder latch, and refurbished an old cap and ball replica, and enjoyed myself during the whole process.
merlinfire
Member
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- Feb 2, 2010
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- 793
All you guys gettin high on your Hoppes #9
Screendmon
Member
At my local gun store they have Hoppes #9 air fresheners.
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