Does Anyone Clean Firearms Anymore

[rwsmith]

How many people clean their car every time they drive it?

 

[Eric300]

It sucks, but I do it anyway.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I do. I don't view it as a chore but rather aroma and physical therapies.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I have read the rants about gun shows on the forum. All legitimate complaints. I have also read the complaints about buying online. Again, legitimate complaints. What I cannot understand is every firearm I buy used takes me a day (or longer) to clean the barrel after I get it. Doesn't anyone clean firearms anymore? I was taught to clean them after every use. Use has different meanings. It may mean after deer season or a couple days of range use, but they need cleaned soon after using them. So far, the barrels have been in excellent condition after cleaning them but what's up with this lack of care?

I noticed that too. I thought I was just OCD but revolvers especially .357 Magnums are not cleaned properly. The cylinders are always a mess and sometimes it takes a good cleaning to be able to load .357 Magnum length cartridges. Obviously thet shot nothing but .38 Specials.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I’m with you! Every used gun I’ve bought in the past few years has been filthy inside out. I’ve been able to use that to my advantage though and negotiate price based on condition.

I’m one that cleans his guns every time they’re shot. Clean guns are more reliable too. Guns are expensive and should be cared for. I’m that way with everything I own.

What I can’t believe is people who buy new auto loaders and don’t clean and lube them before going to the range. They shoot them dry and complain when they malfunction. Besides cleaning after every range trip I always clean and lube my new guns before the first range trip.

 

[shil]

If you like your equipment, you'll clean it.

 

[MOONDAWG]

To paraphrase my old DI…
A man who won’t clean his own gun won’t wipe his…you get the idea.

 

[tomhenry]

I actually just bought a used Sig (226) yesterday. The guy handed it to me and said it might need to be cleaned.

I field stripped it and pulled the barrel. He said, "You know your way around that gun." He said it like he had never taken it apart.

I looked in the barrel and "needed to be cleaned" was an understatement. I don't think he had ever cleaned it.

Boggles the mind. It was a good price, though. And from what I can see (I haven't taken it to the range today; raining), it's in great shape. So, there's always that.

 

[tlawler]

I do. I don't view it as a chore but rather aroma and physical therapies.

Same here…cleaning guns gives me a therapeutic satisfaction akin to reloading.

I’ve seen gunk so thick on guns I’m considering buying that it’s almost like a layer of protective cosmoline. I don’t feel nearly as bad trying to talk someone’s price down if the gun is dirty and poorly maintained. In fact, I’ll say something like: “You know, it’s a shame the guy that had this gun before you really didn’t care for it.”

 

[.38SuperMan]

I bought this 1920 vintage M&P from a local dealer. They’re a good outfit but they don’t clean their used guns.

I picked it up for an extremely good price and was able to talk them down. It was so dirty it looked like the nickel was pealing but when I got it home and thoroughly cleaned it it’s almost in new condition.

I worked a very good trade on what I believe was an unfired 1953 Colt Cobra that the cylinder wouldn’t hardly turn on. It turned out to be nothing more than old dried oil inside.

 

[meistermash]

Six or so months ago I purchased a nickled m19 that must have Grandpas service pistol.
And when gramps passed on about 30 years ago, that was the last time that had been cleaned.
Ohh it was a great deal and cleaned up well but it had been magna ported and junior did a trigger job on it.
(I am making that business up. No idea about where it came from)
Still need to fix the front site insert that the porting is goobering up.
Might wittle a chunk of brass instead of poring a plastic one.

 

[Valmet]

Mine get cleaned after every range trip- doesn’t matter if it’s a vintage S&W or a run of the mill Glock.

 

[jschmidt]

Not like the old days, but I agree. If you haven't cleaned and lubed your gun, you have no way to know if your gun has a problem or not. It is also a tenuous connection to blame the gun if you've only tried one kind of ammo

 

[BIGDOC]

Alway's clean after every use if possible.

 

[GregBFL]

I'm probably different than most people, but I actually enjoy cleaning my firearms. I find it to be therapeutic and relaxing... Not to mention I love a clean firearm.

 

[goldenboy]

I've sold a bunch of guns over the years and I would never have dreamed of selling any of them soiled. Guess that mindset is antiquated. Can't say that all that I've purchased didn't need a good scouring but most cleaned up ok.

A clean gun should sell for more than one that’s a mess. Another benefit of cleaning.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I clean my guns when I use them, plus when I what to give them a check- up on their health.

 

[GBLittle]

I always clean my guns after shooting. It is a habit and ritual I have been doing for many years.
Firearm Maintenance Muscle Memory..

 

[Goony]

I'm amazed at how often (besides internal filth) something in a dealer's showcase will exhibit unsightly external rust, thus displaying very poorly. Pawn shops seem to be the worst in this regard.

Years ago,I was at the department range with a supervisor for our quarterly qualification. On this occasion, we're shooting up our issued ammo pursuant to being given fresh stuff. As an aside, for whatever reason, his choice for a duty sidearm was an H&K P7. Anyway, on the firing line, he gets off his first shot, and that was it, no go after that initial round. Turned out he had been carrying the pistol in a plastic bag in the trunk of his vehicle, and this being in a marine environment, the slide had rusted to the frame.

 

[djohns6]

People seem to be assuming that shooters only fit one of two extremes . Clean after every range trip , or never clean it and wait for a stoppage .