Question about cleaning. I have a SW9VE and I'm wondering about how often it should be cleaned or after how many uses. I fired the 1st hundred rounds through it a couple of days back, and gave it a good cleaning the next day. Just wondering if maybe I didn't really need to. To be totally honest, I might have just done it out of the excitement of having the new gun and wanted to keep it clean, but realistically, how many uses could I have gotten out of it before I really needed to do that. Thanks!

i clean after each range or hunting trip...no reason not to

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

When it needs cleaning.
Seriously, once you get the hang of it, a quick field strip and clean on a Sigma is about 10 minutes, so if in doubt, give it a quick cleaning.

When I'm using them for a training class, we don't clean until the end of the training, which could be 500 rounds over several days. Keep in mind that the fluffy black stuff turns to concrete in the gun if left for several weeks, however. Don't forget to disassemble and clean magazines, too.

About 3 years ago we were shooting the Texas State IDPA in a sea of mud from rain the night before. Every magazine was choked with mud when dropped during reloads during each state, so buckets of water were provided at each stage to rinse out the mud and get them going again.
Thus the first answer I gave above: whenever they need it!

For me it really depends on the gun itself, how many rounds I put through it, the quality of ammo and the weather / environmental conditions where I was shooting. My SW9E is a range gun, so I will clean it after every shoot since it will sit in a safe until it's next outing.

"Never let the sun set on a dirty gun."

Makes cleaning easier too. I am with you.

You should clean your firearms after every shooting session. The reason is some primers contain corrosive elements which will damage exposed components if left for long periods. Also powder residue has a tendency to absorb moisture which will cause rust and corrosion as well. So unless you plan on doing more shooting in the next couple of days or you are at a hunting camp for the weekend, you should clean ASAP after shooting.

what is this "cleaning" you speak of?

+1........

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Bob

I was originally taught to clean my pistol and rifle after each time I shot it. It was (is) a tool designed to do a very specific job under adverse circumstances, so I need it to work . . . always. The least I could do is return the favor and do my job by getting the crud and debris out of the handgun.

Do you want it to function without a second thought - then keep it clean. Do you not care if it works and/or jams at the most inconvienent time imaginable - then don't clean it. It's up to you.

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~No signature line

If it gets shot, it gets cleaned. Plus every once in a while when it doesn't. I'll take them apart and wipe them if I'm bored.

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Recoil; It's a beautiful thing

I have always cleaned as soon as possible after use.

When I get home from the range, I put on a pot of coffee and get out the cleaning kit.

Hoppe's #9 on my guns has the same effect as Chanel No 5 on my wife. Makes me crazy!

I love cleaning my guns! They are always ready to rock-n-roll!

Lee

Wow...thanks for all the pointers guys..I really appreciate it. Do you know of any good instructional videos for cleaning the S&W Sigmas? For example, any other internal areas to make sure and hit besides the slide, recoil spring, and barrel (in and out). Also, someone mentioned taking apart the mags and cleaning them...a video showing how to do this, or any other instruction you guys can provide would help. As you can see I am fairly new to pistol ownership / maintenance. Really appreciate the guidance!!!

I'd really be interested in that too...I've always been a revolver guy, but I've recently acquired three semis: a M&P 45, a M&P 9c, and a SW9VE. I've found a couple of videos on breakdown and cleaning, but I've yet to see one on the magazines.

Thanks!

This video isn't Sigma specific, but most of the newer autos use a similar setup. It's not rocket science by any means, just gotta be careful not to let the spring go flying as you remove the foot plate. There are only a few parts to the mag, and it's pretty hard to screw it up. Just pay attention to how you put the followers back in.

YouTube - Cleaning Handgun Magazines

Hope this helps.

-Gib

A clean gun is a happy gun

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Do ya feel lucky, punk?

after every session. There's simply no good reason not to.

As needed. I shoot to often, several times a day or several times a week. Then some of my guns can sit for years without getting shot. Before I deploy my guns all get a cleaning/oiling needed or not. My work guns get shot several times a week and once a week I'll clean them. Sand storm comes in, guns get cleaned immediately after (some storms can 3-4 days)

CD

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De Oppresso Liber

I clean my sigma after 10 shots or 100. The best thing to keep in mind is, Why you have the firearm? If you take care of it, it will take care of you!

I clean my sw9ve after I shoot it on the range but thats the way I was trained to as a firearms instructor for the state of missouri.

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It's time to cowboy up.

i have to confess....i used to own a sigma f 40 cal. that spent its life in my glove compartment. i would take it out and shoot a couple hundred rounds at least every other month for four years. never a ftf or fte. maybe i got lucky. but i did take advantage of its reliability. and i got lazy. i have way too many guns. that particular gun was stolen. now i have a new sigma in 40 cal. and i will not treat this one as bad. as a matter of fact i just took it out shooting a week ago and cleaned it right there where we were shooting. took all of ten minutes.

I clean mines after every shoot or bi weekly. But now since its job title is going to be changed from main carry to night stand carry. I will only clean it once per month or when I get out and shoot it.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I clean a gun when I feel like it. Most of the time, that means when I get home, but not always.

And I sure don't clean one that's not dirty. Unless I'm WAY bored.

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John 3:16 .