Cleaning M&P .45

[CaptT]

Hi, I'm new here and just purchased my first semi auto last month. I got the M&P .45 with the 4" barrel. So far I've put about 185 rounds through it on 2 trips to the range. How often is it recommended to clean it? This is my first gun to own. Any suggestion on what to use to clean the polymer beneath the muzzle? This trip after 100 rnds its showing some dirt.

I used rem oil last time to clean/lube all metal parts. It was given to me from a friend. Said he uses it on all his guns( Springfield/Glock)

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[DustyDawg48]

Technically you can let it go for hundreds and hundreds of rounds but I tend to clean mine after each match or range visit since I enjoy the time spent doing it. I use Breakfree CLP to clean just about everything.

 

[youseemym&p]

i clean mine once a week whether i use them or not haha and within an hour every time i do use it. anal ? maybe but you could eat food off my feed ramps haha

 

[dirty gary]

After disassembly I run the slide and barrel through my parts washer. I run a bore brush with Hoppes No.9 through the barrel till clean. Use a soft toothbrush with some washer solvent (just a little) to clean the frame. Blast all parts dry with compressed air, run a Q-tip in all the nooks and crannies of the frame. Apply a small amount of Breakfree CLP and reassemble, good to go. Enjoy that M&P, I love all of mine

 

[Houdini1953]

Just like the Glock the M&P does not actually require frequent cleaning, but for best performance and looks I clean after a range visit usually at least 100 rounds except the .45 which is only 50 rounds along with my .40 or .357 but since my .40 also uses the .357 barrel there will be another 100 rounds through the same frame.

I just use a Hoppes cleaning kit from Walmart along with a bore snake for the barrel and then brass brush the slide and metal parts of the frame and add one drop in the seven places on page 23 of your Owner Manual available here http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/M&P_Pistol_Manual_03-15-2012.pdf

Then reassemble your pistol and give it a function check this is done by first taking the gun and racking the slide fully rearward and noticing if it goes into full battery (or the slide is fully forward) then if the weapon goes into full battery then take an empty magazine and insert it into the gun and rack the slide and if all is right the slide should be open after you rack your slide and the weapons is ready for firing so you can now put a loaded magazine into your gun.

Now the next issue is are you going to carry your weapon for self defense or are you a Law Enforcement Officer? Then you should do the next step and rack the slide and chamber a round into the weapon, then next you would remove the magazine and replace the round that you have just chambered and now you have a fully loaded cocked and ready to go weapon that will fire as soon as you pull the trigger but only if you pull the trigger, at this point the weapon is about 98 percent cocked but there are safeties internal that will not allow this weapon to fire unless you actually pull the trigger.

I know there is a debate about carrying a round in the chamber but after doing so for over 30 years I have never had a gun to go off accidentally it only shoots when I pull the trigger, and since the M&P is a striker fired weapon there is no hammer to strike the firing pin so dropping an M&P is not an issue, the biggest safety on an M&P or Glock is your decision to pull the trigger!

Have fun with your gun and get more advise on the range from experienced shooters especially those that shoot M&Ps which it looks like there are more of everyday especially with the new Shield which I will soon have one of!

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