Cleaning prior to first range trip?

[rdtompki]

Picked up an M&P 22 earlier this week and asked if I should clean prior to first use. The owner said "not necessary", but I went ahead and did a very quick clean and lube. I was surprised at the amount of "grease" in the area of the recall spring guide and elsewhere. I assume this is normal for a new firearm, but there is nothing in the owner's manual about lubing this area. In fact per the manual there are only three lube points. Why would S&W lube in this matter? These handguns aren't being shipped in a wood crate on the storm-swept deck of a ship?

 

[bob98366]

Can't answer why S&W would use apparently excess grease, but it's wise IMHO to field strip, clean and lube all "new to you" firearms. I don't trust others including the factory's shipping lube to do it correctly (my way ). Also, use an aerosol spray cleaner to flush out the hard to get to places, especially the striker channel.

 

[Bkreutz]

Picked up an M&P 22 earlier this week and asked if I should clean prior to first use. The owner said "not necessary", but I went ahead and did a very quick clean and lube. I was surprised at the amount of "grease" in the area of the recall spring guide and elsewhere. I assume this is normal for a new firearm, but there is nothing in the owner's manual about lubing this area. In fact per the manual there are only three lube points. Why would S&W lube in this matter? These handguns aren't being shipped in a wood crate on the storm-swept deck of a ship?

Maybe Walther lubed it this way since they are the ones that made it.

 

[The Sarge]

Most pistol manuals recommend clean and lube before the first firing. I learned early on that those who engineer and build the gun know what is best for that gun. This is a good time to inspect the internals of the weapon.

Also many times the oil or grease you find inside a brand new pistol are long term storage preservatives that really lack lubrication qualities. Bill

 

[Doug M.]

Depends on what the manual says. I would generally go with their recommendation. In your case, maybe they pack it with grease for protection against the unknown amount of time that it will sit before sale. On the other hand, Wilson Combat is insistent that one fire at least 300 and preferably 500 out of their pistols before any kind of field stripping or cleaning.