Hello, new gun owner. I have a few basic questions if you guys don't mind.

[Bullseye Smith]

First I would go for SAFETY first, does the wife or girl friend know how to shoot a auto? Go with the revolver is is easy and simple way to go, pick it up and pull the trigger. Leave a auto clip loaded very long the spring goes bad, to may more things that can go wrong with the auto. More people are killed with a un-loaded firearm - 99% of the time its with a auto that has a round in the chamber.

 

[blujax01]

What damage would your gun sustain from cleaning less? Besides less wear and tear, I have seen gouged crowns, scuffed barrels, and broken/lost parts such as trigger play springs. If you are an experienced shooter and have OCD, go at cleaning your guns weekly. For new gun owners, being over-zealous with cleaning CAN damage your gun. I have seen a brass rod leave a nasty gouge on the crown of an Model 36.

Take two guns in identical condition. Shoot the average # of rounds a typical gun owner shoots out of that gun over a year. Clean one every week, the other every 500-1000 rounds or annually. Which gun do you think is going to be in better condition after 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years....?

Clarification understood. Cleaning incorrectly more often causes more damage than cleaning incorrectly less often...