Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I'm a member of the "Never let the sun set on a dirty gun" club. I have at times at our IDPA state matches between stages brushed out cylinder, cylinder front and forcing cone, bore, to ensure smooth reloading and operation.
How often do you clean your revolver?
- Thread starter ImDrRich
- Start date
Green Frog
Member
"Clean my revolvers?" You mean I'm supposed to clean my revolvers? I usually just wipe them down with an oily rag and put them away unless they get wet or start to malfunction. If I spend too much time cleaning it cuts down on my shooting time! 
Froggie
Froggie
I'll let you know when I get around to cleaning my 629. I've only had it about 7 years so far.
Actually I probably have cleaned it - once.
Until I see a problem I think cleaning does more harm than good. I wouldn't let any gun get ridiculously dirty but I've put about 500 rounds through my 629 (my only revolver) and like I said I think I cleaned it once. And that was just to make it look good.
Actually I probably have cleaned it - once.
Until I see a problem I think cleaning does more harm than good. I wouldn't let any gun get ridiculously dirty but I've put about 500 rounds through my 629 (my only revolver) and like I said I think I cleaned it once. And that was just to make it look good.
OP
Targets Guy
US Veteran
If my guns get fired they get cleaned.
Clarke Hammer
Member
I often see folks write that, "many guns are ruined by over cleaning" or "cleaning does more harm than good." Are those people saying that running several solvent-soaked patches or even a few passes with a bronze brush down the barrel causes more wear than bullets flying +or-1000 fps along with all powder debris?
muddocktor
Member
My model 27's get cleaned after every range session, so question. My bottom feeders will generally get a good wipe down if I've only shot around 100 rounds or less through it, unless it is going into long term storage. My model 27's tell me that they don't want to be dirty in the gun cabinet. And since all but one of my model 27's are nickel, they really show the powder and grime of a range session. 
I also clean my other revolvers after every range session too, since they are stainless and also look grungy after a stiff range session.
I also clean my other revolvers after every range session too, since they are stainless and also look grungy after a stiff range session.
Green Frog
Member
No, but improper disassembly and reassembly, especially with ill fitting acrewdrivers and poor attention to details such as spring alignment,etc, along with dragging the cleaning rod on the muzzle and a host of other things that negatively impact the overall well being of the gun can bring about "ruination" to your gun. A wipe down or even a pass or two of a patch through the bore isn't going to hurt anything, but guys who feel the need to detail strip their gun after each outing are, IMHO at least, doing more harm than good. As a parts vendor friend of mine once observed, "It's guys like you that keep guys like me in business!"
Froggie
bananaman
Member
After every range session each firearm gets cleaned. I do not remove sideplates unless there is a reason to. (rarely is) I make sure that all lead is removed from the barrel. Clean the cylinder well. The only thing I am lax on is cylinder faces. Lightly oil moving parts, and gun surfaces. My thought, be it right or wrong, is take care of your investment! Keep them as nice as possible. Bob
I wipe the outside down but never clean the bore or cylinder. There is no need to. I have no leading from my handloads, so, why bother. Wipe them down with solvent and oil, relube whats required and put them away. I go thousands of rounds between bore cleanings, seems to work with no loss in accuracy. I should mention I live in a very dry environment and nothing here rusts. I have been shooting for over 60 years, bullseye competition for 40 of those, was a military gunsmith and am a retired Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Just sayin'..............
Stu
Stu
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Dave T
Member
No, but improper disassembly and reassembly, especially with ill fitting acrewdrivers and poor attention to details such as spring alignment,etc, along with dragging the cleaning rod on the muzzle and a host of other things that negatively impact the overall well being of the gun can bring about "ruination" to your gun. A wipe down or even a pass or two of a patch through the bore isn't going to hurt anything, but guys who feel the need to detail strip their gun after each outing are, IMHO at least, doing more harm than good. As a parts vendor friend of mine once observed, "It's guys like you that keep guys like me in business!"
Froggie
I've been shooting revolvers for 50+ years. I've never in all that time, as a LEO, a competitive shooter and as a firearms instructor for 18 years, seen a revolver (or semi auto for that matter) damaged by cleaning. Never!
I'm sorry but that idea sounds like an excuse to not bother properly maintaining a firearm. I would guess those saying cleaning damages guns never met that guy some of us knew well, named "Drill Instructor".
Dave
My automatics , disassembly clean and oil after each range trip. My revolvers, I clean the bore and cylinders, Hoppes #9 over whole gun with my wife's toothbrush, after cylinders and bore brushed and cleaned I than light oil. I do this after each range trip.
ContinentalOp
Member
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LOL I hope it is her old one. But then there is something about the smell of Hoppes #9
I once had a firearms instructor/rangemaster who would dab a little Hoppes #9 on his neck like cologne.
Birdgun
Member
Apollo, I'd use my wife's toothbrush too. ;-)
I certainly wouldn't want to use my own. YUCK!!
Oh, and just so y'all know.
I have my wife trained exactly the way she wants me.
God bless,
Birdgun
bigggbbruce
Member
How often do you clean your revolver.
Not very often.
I wipe off the powder residue with a spritz of Remoil when they get grungy.
A drop of oil now and again when the cylinder feels sluggish when turned.
I shoot Xtreme coated bullets so I hardly even look down the bore.
Used to be anal about clean guns, but I shoot something nearly every day and just don't feel the need anymore.
Not very often.
I wipe off the powder residue with a spritz of Remoil when they get grungy.
A drop of oil now and again when the cylinder feels sluggish when turned.
I shoot Xtreme coated bullets so I hardly even look down the bore.
Used to be anal about clean guns, but I shoot something nearly every day and just don't feel the need anymore.
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If it is going back in the holster as a carry gun, then it should be cleaned and lubed after shooting and before re-holstering.
If it is a recreational shooter, you can wait for the season to end, or until the cylinder starts binding. No biggie.
Just remember that you must protect the bore. Shooting leaves a perfectly dry bore, and so moisture can attack. Even if you don't do a full cleaning, an oily patch or "oil mop" down the bore and each charge hole will help protect those surfaces from moisture and rust.
This is less of a big deal in dry or low humidity arid environments, but it can be a big deal in a humid place or in a wet or salty atmosphere, such as a coastal area or similar.
An air tight box, such as a Tupperware or similar box, together with silica gel or similar moisture absorbing packets can help also.
Never overlook the possibility that your gun safe is or can be humid. If you open your windows or do not run your air conditioner, your home can be just as humid or dangerous to firearms as the outside environment.
If it is a recreational shooter, you can wait for the season to end, or until the cylinder starts binding. No biggie.
Just remember that you must protect the bore. Shooting leaves a perfectly dry bore, and so moisture can attack. Even if you don't do a full cleaning, an oily patch or "oil mop" down the bore and each charge hole will help protect those surfaces from moisture and rust.
This is less of a big deal in dry or low humidity arid environments, but it can be a big deal in a humid place or in a wet or salty atmosphere, such as a coastal area or similar.
An air tight box, such as a Tupperware or similar box, together with silica gel or similar moisture absorbing packets can help also.
Never overlook the possibility that your gun safe is or can be humid. If you open your windows or do not run your air conditioner, your home can be just as humid or dangerous to firearms as the outside environment.
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