How often do you clean/lube the inside of your revolver?

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I am posting this here as I figure reloaders probably shoot more than most and also a lot of revolver shooters hang out here.
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Every time I buy a new(used) revolver I always open it up to give it the once over. Sometimes they are like new and I just put the side plate back on. Others are nasty dirty and I clean them and re oil. The Model 66 I just got looks like new, but inside was dry as a bone. Don't think there was a drop of oil in there.
So do you guys actually take them apart or just drop some oil down the hammer, trigger and let it find it's own way around?
 
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I am posting this here as I figure reloaders probably shoot more than most and also a lot of revolver shooters hang out here.
icon_smile.gif

Every time I buy a new(used) revolver I always open it up to give it the once over. Sometimes they are like new and I just put the side plate back on. Others are nasty dirty and I clean them and re oil. The Model 66 I just got looks like new, but inside was dry as a bone. Don't think there was a drop of oil in there.
So do you guys actually take them apart or just drop some oil down the hammer, trigger and let it find it's own way around?
 
The last several new S&W revolvers I've owned were opened up and found to be bone dry, like yours. Worse, all have metal filings in the works, and required cleaning out with solvent, drying, and relubrication brfore assembly. Now, I routinely open up, clean, and relubricate every revolver that I examine. Most need cleaning, many need lubrication, and all work better because of the detailed attention.
 
When I buy a new (to me) revolver I take it apart and clean the interior parts and do some mild stoneing/smoothing of the contact points (like the rebound slide) and (perhaps) change the springs. Then I might never have the side plate off again, and simply put a drop or two of oil into the openings once in a while. Works for me on all the used guns I buy. I'm sure if I ever bought a new one I'd probably break it in and then do the same.
 
Much as the gentlemen above, I routinely open and examine, clean and lube a purchase. Also, I shoot a lot of rounds through my IDPA revolvers. I pull the side plate and clean them each once a year, need it or not.
 
In the 80's I read several articles about running them dry for cold weather hunting - nothing to freeze up.

That was eye opening, but I choose to clean and lube the insides every year at least.

As long as you insure it's clean and oiled, it will last a while between services.
 
Ditto on the preceding posts. I initially thoroughly clean then regularly remove the grips and spray my revolvers with solvent or some other action cleaner then blow them out with the air compressor. I then put a few drops of oil in strategic places and blow them again to distribute the oil. I am a firm believer in air as a cleaning tool. I have three compressors in various locations.
 
Originally posted by H Richard:
Keep in mind that S&W revolvers are designed to run with "minimal" lube.

90 weight gear oil is too much?
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I just use a few drops of Rem oil or what ever I have around.

Thanks
 
Howdy

I haven't bought a new Smith since 1975, so all of them that I buy these days are used. Like most of the other posters here, I will open up a new purchase to take a look at what's inside. My newest Smith was made in the 1980s, my oldest in 1902. So, the inside condition can vary quite a lot. Most of them need a bit of cleaning out, most have powder fouling and old hardened oil inside. Some are worse than others. Like most of the others here, I routinely clean out all the old oil and powder fouling, and lightly lubricate them. I may or may not change out the springs, or do a little bit of polishing if it looks like it needs it. Then I button it up and shoot it for a long time. I don't believe in taking them apart very often, it will just start to loosen the fit of the side plate.
 

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