gun cleaning thread

[THEWELSHM]

Sometimes this just happens? As the wife and I settle in to watch the evening shows on TV I get compelled to clean the guns Started with a S &W Model 19-4 then a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44, then a S & W Model 500, then a Sig Sauer sp2022 and a SCCY 9mm. lol therapy at its best The SCCY is a truck gun gift I havnt shot it that much so the jury is out Love cleaning guns though

thewelshm

 

[Waywatcher]

Sometimes this just happens? As the wife and I settle in to watch the evening shows on TV I get compelled to clean the guns Started with a S &W Model 19-4 then a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44, then a S & W Model 500, then a Sig Sauer sp2022 and a SCCY 9mm. lol therapy at its best The SCCY is a truck gun gift I havnt shot it that much so the jury is out Love cleaning guns though

thewelshm

Lately, I haven't been cleaning my guns much. My Colt AR has gone more than 1400 rounds without cleaning and my Glock about 450 rounds. My rifle, a Winchester M70, got cleaned once when it was brand new, as did my shotgun.

Modern primers with smokeless powder have really obsoleted cleaning.

Sure, I add some lube every couple hundred rounds, but no more cleaning after after every range trip here.

 

[THEWELSHM]

Lately, I haven't been cleaning my guns much. My Colt AR has gone more than 1400 rounds without cleaning and my Glock about 450 rounds. My rifle, a Winchester M70, got cleaned once when it was brand new, as did my shotgun.

Modern primers with smokeless powder have really obsoleted cleaning.

Sure, I add some lube every couple hundred rounds, but no more cleaning after after every range trip here.

really?? I wouldn't want to see your underwear

thewelshm

 

[Waywatcher]

really?? I wouldn't want to see your underwear

thewelshm

I suppose the difference is that the wife does the laundry and I do the gun cleaning!

 

[USMCHEROS]

After the gun range I come home and take out the gun cleaning supplies and pull out the weapons and clean them like a boss.

 

[hangnoose]

NOT CLEANING GUNS

Waywatcher, when you get around to cleaning those guns, you can sell the built up copper fouling for scrap. I think you're begging for a bolt not going into full battery or a ftf/fte issue. I don't really care for cleaning guns but feel it's needed for peak performance & reliability. I know some guns that they do torture tests on and they digest like 10,000 rounds without an issue, but I would recommend cleaning more frequently. smokeless powder or not, crud build up is crud build up & just attracts more dust, sand, lint, moisture etc.

 

[chud333]

Heard that more guns are harmed by over cleaning/improper cleaning, than by
use. Sure i wipe them down after every time out to prevent rust
remove finger prints, but i no longer scrub on them inside and out like i
used to. As stated with the modern powders/primers its not warranted
or needed after every firing. But i've got a buddy who is so anal
about his guns that every time one comes out of the safe it gets
field stripped and cleaned. Even if he just carried it thru the woods
and never shot it. To each his own.

Chuck

 

[kamloops67]

ill clean my guns when they start to foul up thats about it. scrub chambers and lube action before a match if im feeling gamey ...im a slacker and my guns know it, but they seem to ring the steel alright despite my lack of care. if they get rained on or something then ill clean and oil thoroughly , there's no excuse for rust.
another reason i dont really like my 1911 needs cleaning and oiling every 250 rnds or so...

 

[A10]

I Boresnake all of them after shooting, using CLP. I'll do a thorough cleaning out in the mancave when I have the time and inclination. Truth is, I don't shoot enough any more to warrant a huge effort....

 

[chud333]

I Boresnake all of them after shooting, using CLP. I'll do a thorough cleaning out in the mancave when I have the time and inclination. Truth is, I don't shoot enough any more to warrant a huge effort....

This for me as well ^^^
I'll run a patch of CLP thru the cylinders and bore after
each use and wipe down the outside. But i don't expend
hundreds of rounds during each session.
Now after a long day on a Prairie dog town with good
shooting. Thats another matter.

Chuck

 

[kamloops67]

Heard that more guns are harmed by over cleaning/improper cleaning, than by
use. Sure i wipe them down after every time out to prevent rust
remove finger prints, but i no longer scrub on them inside and out like i
used to. As stated with the modern powders/primers its not warranted
or needed after every firing. But i've got a buddy who is so anal
about his guns that every time one comes out of the safe it gets
field stripped and cleaned. Even if he just carried it thru the woods
and never shot it. To each his own.

Chuck

yes ive heard of over scrubbing/cleaning barrels, and messing them up as well. as much wear from the rod and brush as the bullets

 

[Cattledog]

I find cleaning my guns to be almost therapeutic. I used to clean them as soon as I got back from the range, but now it doesn't bother me to leave them a day or two. I always wipe them down before I leave the range.

 

[rwsmith]

I don't feel like.....

......I don't feel like the shooting session is over until I clean my guns. I don't get to go shooting real often but when I do go I let go of a couple of hundred rounds. I'm going to start shooting more lead at higher velocities so keeping lead fouling away will warrant cleaning them every time.

BTW Shooting the .357 with 2400 powder is an awful mess. I'd feel like I was taking a huge risk w/o cleaning every time.

 

[Rastoff]

Heard that more guns are harmed by over cleaning/improper cleaning, than by use.

yes ive heard of over scrubbing/cleaning barrels, and messing them up as well. as much wear from the rod and brush as the bullets

I have no doubt you've heard that. It was originated and is perpetuated by lazy people. I have no doubt that someone has damaged a gun while cleaning. However, much more damage has been done through not cleaning.

They're your guns so, do what you want. I, on the other hand, will maintain my guns.

 

[chud333]

I have no doubt you've heard that. It was originated and is perpetuated by lazy people. I have no doubt that someone has damaged a gun while cleaning. However, much more damage has been done through not cleaning.

They're your guns so, do what you want. I, on the other hand, will maintain my guns.

Not from a lazy person but rather a gunsmith who has
worked in the trade for decades and has seen it firsthand.
And has replaced a few more barrels than you.
As i said to each his own.

Chuck

 

[hpfenning]

I shoot it--I clean it. There is a lot of lousy ammo out there now that seems to be dirtier than it used to be. I clean them before they go back into the safe.

 

[chief38]

I clean all my guns after each Range or field session. Sometimes I am amazed as to what comes off of them. If I am in the woods but only fire a few shots (while hunting), I will wipe it down and pull a Bore Snake through with some Rig #2 Oil if I will be using it the next day. Otherwise, it gets cleaned like normal.

 

[Waywatcher]

Waywatcher, when you get around to cleaning those guns, you can sell the built up copper fouling for scrap. I think you're begging for a bolt not going into full battery or a ftf/fte issue. I don't really care for cleaning guns but feel it's needed for peak performance & reliability. I know some guns that they do torture tests on and they digest like 10,000 rounds without an issue, but I would recommend cleaning more frequently. smokeless powder or not, crud build up is crud build up & just attracts more dust, sand, lint, moisture etc.

I do keep an eye on their bores, chambers, and crud build up. I also wipe them down externally after handling. I keep track of rounds fired for planned maintenance like spring changes, lubrication addition, and cleaning intervals. I suppose I should have mentioned this, but I don't really consider it "gun cleaning," just good maintenance. Also, point of impact can often change from a freshly cleaned and oiled barrel until it builds up a little bit of fouling--I definitely don't clean my hunting gun's bores during the season.

As mentioned before, more guns are ruined from excessive cleaning. Cleaning guns religiously is more of a tradition than a necessity; a holdover from the time when there were mercuric or otherwise corrosive primers, which really wasn't a very long time ago. Also, some guns have such tight clearances that they necessitate more frequent cleanings is well, but I don't own a gun like that.

 

[hangnoose]

GUN CLEANIING HARMING GUNS

I suppose if the cleaner doesn't have a clue. some people shouldn't change their own oil in their car either. some guns and bullets/powder types require more care than others. my 45acp get's black and sooty fast. my 617 22lr has tight tolerances and needs to be brushed out frequently to keep the cylinder from locking up. you can bet long range benchrest and competition shooters keep them well maintained.

 

[pownal55]

Copper fouling and powder residue build up especially in front of the chamber will cause accuracy issues at some point. When you finally decide to clean the gun you may have a problem that is so bad it's almost impossible to fix.
My gunsmith friend tells me that 90% of the time someone brings a rifle to him with accuracy issues it has simply been neglected. His services are expensive, cleaning rods are cheap.

 

[bp231986]

I keep it simple for my self and clean after every outing. I dont see cleaning as a job. When i clean ill put in a good movie or two, get a cold coke or hot coffee, relax and clean at a slow relaxing pace and enjoy my self. At times i might walk away after spraying down the barrel with hoppes and let the solvent do its thing for a bit while i do something else. To me cleaning is fun and i like the peace of mind of having all guns clean and ready to go

 

[H Richard]

Cleaning a gun is a part of shooting it. I have several S&W where the cylinders are tight enough that if not cleaned every 100 rounds or so they will begin to bind from the residue build up on the cylinder front. I like reliable guns, I clean them after every use.

 

[Franklin]

Have you ever been at a range where they rent guns? Take a look at what the guns look like. You could probally start with a puddy knife on the outside, and every one of them go bang when you pull the trigger!

 

[timn8er]

really?? I wouldn't want to see your underwear

thewelshm

So does this mean you'd want to see them if they were clean?

I Keed, I Keed!

A bit closer to topic though, I clean mine after every range trip. I too, find it to be good therapy. I do have a question for the OP & everyone here:how often do you use a brass bore brush? Is there a round count you go by? I would like to know.

 

[P&R Fan]

It's worth it just to fill the house with the smell of Hoppes #9.

24 posts and I was the first one to mention that.
What's up with that?
Jim

 

[kamloops67]

I suppose if the cleaner doesn't have a clue. some people shouldn't change their own oil in their car either. some guns and bullets/powder types require more care than others. my 45acp get's black and sooty fast. my 617 22lr has tight tolerances and needs to be brushed out frequently to keep the cylinder from locking up. you can bet long range benchrest and competition shooters keep them well maintained.

funny you mention that group, those are the guys(some not all) im thinking about when i speak of prematurely worn barrels from fanatical scrubbing.
im not saying guns dont need to be cleaned ,just not after every outting ,unless its a b.p. piece then yes soon as possible after firing or your bore will look like a 40 yr old sewer pipe.
a clean bore can be inconsistant as well, dont a lot of shooters take fouling shots?

 

[THEWELSHM]

So does this mean you'd want to see them if they were clean?

I Keed, I Keed!

A bit closer to topic though, I clean mine after every range trip. I too, find it to be good therapy. I do have a question for the OP & everyone here:how often do you use a brass bore brush? Is there a round count you go by? I would like to know.

I actually never use a brass brush although I have them. I use a Winchester kit with the rags and solvent, and some good old fashioned elbow grease, I Use a bore snake and brush. I oil all blued guns religiously down her in FL

thewelshm

 

[rwsmith]

This thread has affected me.....

I will still clean my guns after every outing, but I may change the way I clean them.

 

[Rastoff]

Not from a lazy person but rather a gunsmith who has worked in the trade for decades and has seen it firsthand.
And has replaced a few more barrels than you.

Just how many barrels have I replaced? How does the smith know what the owner's cleaning habits are? How did he determine that it was cleaning and not shooting that required the barrel to be replaced?

I would never take my gun to a gunsmith that told me not cleaning was better than cleaning.

I have helped to repair hundreds of guns. The vast majority of them were fixed by a simple cleaning.

Have you ever been at a range where they rent guns? Take a look at what the guns look like. You could probally start with a puddy knife on the outside, and every one of them go bang when you pull the trigger!

Yes, I've been to ranges that rented guns. The range that had clean guns had guns that worked all the time. The range that had dirty guns had guns that didn't work and I had to swap them out several times.

While at a USPSA match I was talking to one shooter about cleaning. Another shooter barged in and said, "That's why I bought a Glock. It never needs to be cleaned."(The Glock manual says it needs to be cleaned. I'm betting he's never read it.) His gun malfunctioned on the next attempted shot. He continued to have trouble throughout the day. He claimed it was the ammo. I'll bet he still doesn't clean his gun and still claims it never had a malfunction.


Look, like I said before, they're your guns, do what you want with them. I'm not saying that guns need to be cleaned after only a few shots, but they should be cleaned after a trip to the field or 500 rounds or so. Also, there's more to cleaning than running a brush through the bore.

 

[hangnoose]

"GUNSMITH"?

A smith that recommends not to clean guns, contrary to every owners manual sounds like a guy drumming up his own business. wish I had a dollar for every person claiming to be a "smith" at a used gun sale or gun show. that and 35 year old Vietnam Vets.