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How many rounds before cleaning
- Thread starter DRFisher
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libertasdon
Member
Is your pistol clean and lubed now? Then fire it up and start on that 500. If the ammo you are planning to use shoots dirty, then you may want to stop and clean the piece, especially if you begin to get failures to feed or eject. But normally a properly maintained pistol can handle 500 rounds of modern ammo.
I clean after every use because I enjoy cleaning and I like a clean gun. I feel that a clean gun will be less likely to experience a problem. The cleaning process also gives me a chance to inspect the gun's mechanism for potential issues. But that's just me. I know that there are those out there who are proud that they've put tens of thousands of rounds through their gun and have never taken it down for cleaning. Well, bully for them. I have no desire to subject my guns to a testing-to-destruction policy. I suggest that 500 rounds should be a maximum limit between cleanings.
Ranger17
Member
I dont recall ever cleaning a gun completely during a range trip (which at least used to consist of several hundred + rounds), but i have used a bore snake to make a quick pass thru a barrel on a PC model I had at the time. But that one would get dirtier anyways.
Guess a person could carry some basic cleaning stuff with them, if they are going to shoot hundreds of rounds or perhaps the conditions aren’t great then at least the tools to clean are handy if needed.
Guess a person could carry some basic cleaning stuff with them, if they are going to shoot hundreds of rounds or perhaps the conditions aren’t great then at least the tools to clean are handy if needed.
kbm6893
SWCA Member
I clean after every range trip, regardless of number of rounds fired. I don’t put a dirty gun away. I take pride in my stuff and want it to look good and last.
My brother came over this past winter to help me change the belts on my 13 year old snow blower. He bought the same model 2 weeks after I did. He remarked mine looked brand new while his was covered in rust. I told him I don’t put it away wet. I brush the snow off and wipe it dry. When we were done I changed the oil. He looked at me like I was crazy and said he had never even checked his oil, let alone change it. Mine still purrs like a kitten and his looks and sounds awful. I maintain all my stuff. Always have and always will.
My brother came over this past winter to help me change the belts on my 13 year old snow blower. He bought the same model 2 weeks after I did. He remarked mine looked brand new while his was covered in rust. I told him I don’t put it away wet. I brush the snow off and wipe it dry. When we were done I changed the oil. He looked at me like I was crazy and said he had never even checked his oil, let alone change it. Mine still purrs like a kitten and his looks and sounds awful. I maintain all my stuff. Always have and always will.
With handguns, especially those designed as defensive weapons, not precision target firearms, I see little need to clean during a range session. These types of firearms usually have sufficient tolerances between the parts to allow them to function when dirty. I clean my firearms after each trip to the range.
For a new firearm or one purchased as used, give it a good cleaning and proper lubrication before the first trip to the range.
For a new firearm or one purchased as used, give it a good cleaning and proper lubrication before the first trip to the range.
I would suggest cleaning any 'new/used' gun that you purchase BEFORE you try to fire it. I guess, my next suggestion would be to clean it after each range/hunting session. I do this to ensure that it fires the next time I take it out. I actually saw a friend's Kahr 9mm stop firing in the middle of a qualification. We brought it home and I cleaned out the striker (firing pin) channel; it was literally filled with very small brass filings and assorted crud. It worked fine after that. Finally, I was wondering why you would feel the need to put 500 rounds of ammo thru your gun in one range session. That's a lot of abuse for anyone, even a young person (in my humble opionion).
J.
J.
Bumpus13
Member
As long as you’re not throwing it in the mud periodically during that time, you should be perfectly fine without cleaning it for 500 rounds. Actually, I’d find a gun suspect if it couldn’t do that.
Now, that being said, I clean all of my firearms after each range trip/use … Do they always necessarily need it? No, but I find the practice to be relaxing so I do it. Just make sure that you’re careful about what you’re doing. Not only to tons of people have accidents every year while “cleaning their gun” because they “swore it wasn’t loaded” … but make sure you pay particular attention to the muzzle because if you nick the crown of the barrel, it WILL affect the accuracy of the gun.
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Old Corp
Member
A common question in classes I've taught.
I usually pose a replying question - what are you asking the gun to do?
Is it for home defense, or CC and to protect your loved ones?
Or just locked away until it's next range-toy trip?
If it's intended use has anything to do with protecting yourself and/or loved ones - why would you NOT clean it?
A very simple process that doesn't take more than several minutes and helps ensure proper function and long mechanical life.
I usually pose a replying question - what are you asking the gun to do?
Is it for home defense, or CC and to protect your loved ones?
Or just locked away until it's next range-toy trip?
If it's intended use has anything to do with protecting yourself and/or loved ones - why would you NOT clean it?
A very simple process that doesn't take more than several minutes and helps ensure proper function and long mechanical life.
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Welcome! As stated above, a cleaned and lubricated pistol should digest 500 rounds in a session without problems (been there, done that). That said, why not bring your favorite cleaning supplies (I usually have a small bottle of Break-Free and a Bore Snake) to the range?
mmb617
Member
500 rounds in one trip? Glad I'm not paying for the ammo. Before prices went crazy I did sometimes fire a couple hundred in one trip, never 500 though. I wouldn't worry about the gun needing cleaning during the firing of 500 rounds, I don't think that'll be a problem.
I used to clean any guns used after every range trip but now that I've cut back on the number of rounds fired, and considering that I often shoot several different guns, some of those guns might only have a mag or two run through them and I don't think it's necessary to clean them after so few shots.
I would clean them if I intended to store them for an extended time, but if I only fired a few rounds and thought I'd be shooting that gun again soon I wouldn't feel the need to clean it.
I used to clean any guns used after every range trip but now that I've cut back on the number of rounds fired, and considering that I often shoot several different guns, some of those guns might only have a mag or two run through them and I don't think it's necessary to clean them after so few shots.
I would clean them if I intended to store them for an extended time, but if I only fired a few rounds and thought I'd be shooting that gun again soon I wouldn't feel the need to clean it.
BuddyD1885
Member
i am in the minority of those that clean any gun/any caliber/any amount of ammo, i shoot at the range, a good cleaning & lube, when i get home.
i've cleaned my gun(s) even if only 25 rds when thru them.
can't say i care much if others think that's over kill, they are mine and these are my habits. cleaning fluids are cheap, patches are cheap, oil is cheap, compared to the costs of broken parts, or a trip to the gunsmith.
when i turned wrenches for a living, after EACH car i worked on, my tools got cleaned, BEFORE i started the next job.
some habits are hard to break.
Pef
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A clean gun should be able to easily shoot 500 rounds without additional cleaning. Of course, if it's a new gun, clean and lube the gun first.
After 500 rounds I would clean the gun when I got home. I used to clean after every outing, but one time I took family members out to shoot. We probably shot about a dozen guns, revolvers and semi-autos. After that cleaning marathon, I no longer clean after every shoot.
I'll clean a gun every several hundred rounds. In between I'll wipe it down and maybe a dab of oil on the rails if necessary.
*Nothing wrong with cleaning a gun after every shoot, especially if you enjoy it.
After 500 rounds I would clean the gun when I got home. I used to clean after every outing, but one time I took family members out to shoot. We probably shot about a dozen guns, revolvers and semi-autos. After that cleaning marathon, I no longer clean after every shoot.
I'll clean a gun every several hundred rounds. In between I'll wipe it down and maybe a dab of oil on the rails if necessary.
*Nothing wrong with cleaning a gun after every shoot, especially if you enjoy it.
SchemaEnigma
Member
IDK where you line in PA, but where I live, and in the dead of winter, except for the top of the engine, there is no place on the snowblower that gets wet.
Too cold for that.
There will be some places where melt drips off the engine and promptly re-freezes, so no brushing off, either. It'd take an ice scraper.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
Clean and lube it well before you go to the range. Keep shooting it as long as it keeps functioning. Then clean it when you get home. If you start getting numerous malfunctions before you reach the 500, then clean it.
Tiribulus
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^^^THIS^^^
I have to wonder if over cleaning isn't as hazardous to longevity as not cleaning enough. Or at least not cleaning carefully enough.
I do a quick lube and touch up after most range trips and a more thorough cleaning every 4 or 5.
SUPER careful with the crown of that muzzle.
kbm6893
SWCA Member
IDK where you line in PA, but where I live, and in the dead of winter, except for the top of the engine, there is no place on the snowblower that gets wet.
Too cold for that.
There will be some places where melt drips off the engine and promptly re-freezes, so no brushing off, either. It'd take an ice scraper.
I leave it in the garage to let the snow and ice melt and then wipe it dry. Then it goes back into the shed. I wouldn’t think of leaving chunks of ice and snow all over it, either. It’s gets put away free of snow and ice and dry.
