Brand new to handguns though I've been a hunter my whole life. Got a brand new M&P9 and as much as I don't want to admit, don't even know how to take it apart. I've been getting used to the gun with fmj ammo by Remington, federal, and ZVS. Probably have 200 rounds thru it and have cleaned the bore with Tetra using a bore snake after each practice session. Also just wiping down what I can get to without taking it down with remoil and a little CLP. Any advise or pointers for a new guy?

Thanks

Well...I'd personally start w/ the owners manual. I would imagine it was in the blue box the gun came in with the test fire casing, warranty info and the NRA flyer. The manual can also be found at the S&W site in pdf form. In addition to that there are some great videos on YouTube showing how you take it down.

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LE6920 M&P 15-22 M&P 9 10-22TD

Your owners manual will tell you how to field strip your pistol, that's all the disassembly that's needed. (take the slide off and remove the recoil spring and barrel). The choice of cleaners and lubricants are up to you, there have been a number of "discussions" on this forum. How often? Some clean after every round they shoot, some never clean them, every one else is somewhere in between. I'd say any time you're not going to shoot it for a week or so it should be cleaned. I shoot just about every day and clean mine every week or so.

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Minimize the variables

I do realize that the owners manual has this basic information, just wondering if there are any tips/tricks to get the job done better /easier or stupid newby things to avoid doing. Sorry, I should have worded it better.

Plenty of U-tube threads on how to do this. GARY

You should have cleaned the gun BEFORE firing it to remove the factory oils and lubes. Clean it per the manual and oil the points outlined in the manual. When you reassemble, make sure you have the recoil spring straight, both horizontally and vertically. This is really important.

I am a big fan of M-PRO-7 cleaners and oil. They are non toxic and the cleaner has no odor, so you won't have to go the the garage to clean your gun. Their oils will not evaporate or attract dust and dirt. The oil has a cleaning agent will replace CLP's.

I was a total newbie with M&P pistols about 15 months ago too. Here is the YouTube video that i found to help me learn how to take apart and clean in the beginning. Cleaning A Smith & Wesson M&P - YouTube
After a little time I started doing it my own way and learned to go easy on the lube. I also started adding to my cleaning a quick look/wipe of the striker and running a q-tip through the striker assembly housing (after not going easy on the lube at first). Most guys don't pop the striker out very often but after letting it get all gunked up once I just want to be sure.

Just a word or warning - M&Ps are dangerous to your wallet. I now have 3 M&P pistols and an M&P 15 rifle as well. You can't say you weren't warned.

Best advice that I picked up from this forum was practice, practice and then shoot some more. I now shoot about 7500 rounds of 9mm and about 4000 rounds of .40 and 10k .22lr per year in my pistols, and I would recommend that you shoot as much as you can afford to. Not only is it fun, but the muscle memory is supposed to help in crisis situations so they tell me.

Welcome and be safe!

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MP9 40c MP22 15Spt 9Shld 15-22

A very easy pistol to maintain. Easy to take down, clean and re-assemble. The instruction manual shows lube points and the re-assemble is just as easy to do. I have only had my M&P9 for a couple of weeks and am totally happy with the ease in maintaining it. Everybody has there own methods and products to use for cleaning. I use Kroil for cleaning and Mobile 1 oil for lubing, it's an excellent lubricant and a quart will last a long, long time. I use it on all of my firearms.

Cant add much more to the above good advice.

I use Froglube, and find it very effective.

I also asked for advice here, maybe this would help:

Advice on "Basic" Gun Cleaning Kit?

Yes, there are a couple though, most of what I'm about to say is not M&P specific.

You said, "brand new to handguns, but been a hunter." That tells me you're not new to gun safety. Even so, I'm going to list a couple things here to keep your fingers attached to your hand:

#1. Always treat every gun as though it were loaded.
#2. Never cover anything with the muzzle you're not willing to destroy.
#3. Always keep your finger off the trigger until pointed at the target and ready to fire.
#4. Always be aware of your target and what's in line with it.

These may seem obvious, but I see them broken every time I go to the range. The most important, and most ignored, is rule #2. In the video posted earlier, the author muzzled his own hand several times before he cleared the gun. That's bad.

Another thing to keep in mind, which was done correctly in the video, is how to clear the gun. Always remove the ammunition source first. Most negligent discharges that happen in conjunction with cleaning are because the owner gets the order backward. I've seen a few guys rack the slide to remove the chambered round and then pull the mag. Well, they didn't realize that they chambered another round when they racked the slide. This has resulted in many NDs. Thank God for clearing barrels. Because everyone I know of was following rule #2, no one got hurt from these NDs.

Now, the title of this thread asked "how often?" This is subjective and you will get many answers for this. I have intentionally not cleaned my M&P 40 for at least 800 rounds. It seems to have come to a point where it is just scraping off the previous crud and no more is building up. This speaks to the quality of the design, but is very poor gun handling technique. Fortunately for me, it's not my only gun and I don't need to rely on it.

Clean your gun when you get back from shooting it. This may actually be more than necessary, but no one every damaged their gun by cleaning it. Some have damaged the bore of their rifles through improper cleaning, but I've yet to hear of a pistol that was damaged through cleaning. A clean gun will work better than a dirty one.

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Freedom isn't free.

Have a room (I use the garage) that no ammunition goes in ever. At all, whatsoever.

That's now your gun cleaning room and your dry fire room.

Seriously, it seems to be the time most negligent discharges happen, so maintain the discipline...

I personally know people that have over 3000 rounds through their M&P's without cleaning (one has 10K). They are excellent shooters and I respect their knowledge, I clean every time I shoot. The M&P is probably the easiest pistol to clean and it takes me 5 minutes to do it. Bore brush a few times, clean patch to finish (only one) a toothbrush on the slide and frame, a little oil on the wear spots and I'm done. I just can't help feeling that a clean gun is better than a dirty gun.

Congrats and welcome.

I clean mine after every range session. I use Break Free Wipes (cleaner, lube, preservative), brass brush for barrel. Then cloth through barrel.

Then a little choke tube and gun grease on slide. I finish with 3 swipes with a bore snake. After 5 sessions I use some Break Free Powder Blast on interior workings.

I clean my guns eventually. Or every so often

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

My answer to the OP's question is:

After every time you finish shooting it. Preferably that same day.

I second that ^^^^^^

Also grease the rails makes a huge difference on my Shield
We use SNO on the rails, Slide functions like butter

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M&P Shield 9MM. M&P 380

My advice:
1. Owners Manuel.
2. Credible Members on this forum.
3. Credible Youtube videos. (Allow Youtube to become your friend).
4. Common Sense. If something doesn't feel quite right to do, figure it out before pressing on.
5. Enjoy your M&P. You take care of it, and it will take care of you.

I clean my handguns within a 24 hour window after shooting them. Most times it is within a few hours after returning home.

Both of my M&P 9's are for self defense. I clean them after each range trip. I think that a clean, properly lubed firearm is as dependable as I can make it.

My other pistols that I use only for practice shooting I clean about every 600-700 rounds, or just when I'm bored.

Welcome to the forum!

Since my handguns are for home defense I clean them after every trip to the range. I don't want to take any chances that they might not work because I didn't clean and inspect them. It should only take about 15 minutes to clean. Not a very large time investment.

I clean mine when I both remember and feel like it. I suspect right now it's somewhere between 500 - 700 rounds.



Don't take that as advice, take it as you don't have to be obsessive, but at the same time I am not a good example.

Cleaning a gun is as much about spotting potential problems as about actually cleaning it. Maybe more so.

"NEVER LET THE SUN SET ON A DIRTY GUN."

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USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

A crude but effective mnemonic, which I credit to a very colorful Master Sergeant of my previous acquaintance:

"Think of it this way: You clean your [behind] at least every time you use it, don't you?"

My best hint - get microfiber cloths for cleaning.

Wipe the gun outside every time it is needed - hot & humid, salty, sandy conditions will need more attention. (Concealed carry is often the hot & humid even if the weather outside is not)

Wipe the inside with the cloth, as needed.
With the M&P this might be all that is needed.

Clean further if you really have to.

Of course with 300 million Americans, you'll get another 299,999,999 other opinions to your question.

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-Ric
Keep Calm and Carry

I love this one.



I wanted to add that I have to confess, I actually enjoy cleaning my pistol. Something about handling the metal, the clack clack of the slide. I could probably do it every day. Not sure if anyone else feels that way...

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Take your time, fast. J.Hughes

I agree with ric... a good wipe down and what you are already doing is the best you can do without the normal stripping down per manual, youtube etc. I have a microfiber cloth and have Ballistol on it for the good wipedown between cleanings.

I wanted to add that I have to confess, I actually enjoy cleaning my pistol. Something about handling the metal, the clack clack of the slide. I could probably do it every day. Not sure if anyone else feels that way...[/QUOTE]


I feel the same way you do. I really enjoy cleaning my guns after using them. It is very relaxing for me. It's my way of saying thank you for a great day at the range. And I like putting them away knowing that there is not a lot of left-over black powder residue getting into my safe and onto my bedstand.

Thanks for the advice gents. I broke it down the other day and it was just as easy as y'all said. The only thing I'm going to need to get is some grease for the slide. Figured CLP will work for now. Federal and ZVS must be pretty clean running ammo. It was hard to find any spot that was more than 'one wipe clean'. Now I just need this stupid Michigan winter to go away so I can shoot more. Thanks again for the help guys.

Just out of curiosity, how often do you go to the range?

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Freedom isn't free.

Trying to go once a month.

Unfortunately, since January I've been on constant travel for work, and haven't gone to the range since late Dec.

Nothing but dry fire practice when I'm at home in between trips.

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Take your time, fast. J.Hughes

I asked because I used to like cleaning my guns too. Then I started shooting more. Now, it's a chore like mowing the lawn. It must be done so, I do it. It doesn't take long, but it's not something I look forward to.

I can clean any one handgun in less than five minutes of actual work.

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Freedom isn't free.

To add to this, I got it so bad, I can't even walk by the dresser drawer I keep it in when not armed and not open the drawer and at least look at it. Sometimes I even fondle it.

Like Rastoff, I can clean a gun in 5, but the foreplay.............

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Criminals don't register guns.

Gotcha. I'm sure it will wear off.

But I doubt it. I have this thing for machinery. I can't pass any Aviation museum, or static display of airplanes, and not stop and stare at them for a while (I'm in the, uh, aerospace business.).

I once looked into the open main rotor gearbox of one of our airframe makers for about 20 minutes. Man that had a lot of gears.

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Take your time, fast. J.Hughes

Llando88, I hope it never does. May your love for all things mechanical continue with fervor for the rest of your natural life.

I too love things mechanical. I used to love to clean my guns when I got home. Alas, that has faded somewhat as my use of guns has ramped up.

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Freedom isn't free.

I made a rare mid-week range trip with friends last night, and didn't get home until near 10pm. I have to get up at 5 to get ready for work.

For the first time ever, I went to sleep with uncleaned firearms in the house.

I feel so dirty.

Did you at least get dinner?

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Criminals don't register guns.

Dinner was prior to the range. Nobody'd want me shooting when I'm hungry.

Well if you got dinner, you may still be dirty, but you ain't cheap!!

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Criminals don't register guns.

I feel guilty if I do not clean my guns after each range trip, no matter how many rounds I fired. Grampa would turn in his grave if I didn't clean them.

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Inconsistently consistent

I may even be cheap... but I'm not easy.

Clean after every time you take it to the range and use it. While you are cleaning, inspect to make sure nothing has gone bad. That way you are certain it is in good shape the next time you take it out to shoot. If you didn't clean it and something broke you wouldn't know until it goes south on you the next time you start shooting...

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Retired Marine Gunny

See, a little self respect goes a long way! LOL

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Criminals don't register guns.