How often to clean your Firearm

[tjtoolbox]

I would like to know how often that Forum members clean their Firearm. I have been cleaning mine after every shoot at the range aprox. 50 rounds put through them, .357 & 9mm.
Am I cleaning too much?
I welcome comets and opinions.
I consider my Firearms as tools as I always keep my tools clean and ready to use.

 

[oldman45]

I would like to know how often that Forum members clean their Firearm. I have been cleaning mine after every shoot at the range aprox. 50 rounds put through them, .357 & 9mm.
Am I cleaning too much?
I welcome comets and opinions.
I consider my Firearms as tools as I always keep my tools clean and ready to use.

Simple formula I use.

1. After use.
2. After exposure to inclimate weather.
3. After 60-90 days of non use.

 

[snakeman32]

I usually clean mine after the range. Once a week for my carry gun or as needed. Hunting guns if they get wet or really dusty during the season.


snakeman

 

[jkc]

Some guns, such as ARs and similar semi-auto rifles come with owners' manuals proscribing cleaning/maintenance schedules/intervals, usually calling for a field strip/lube/barrel cleaning after several hundred rounds, often more. It is ridiculous to obsess over routine maintenance/cleaning of S&W revolvers after every range trip involving a few dozen rounds. Most firearms can stand getting really dirty before developing reliability problems, and unless exposed to extremely unfriendly environments, don't need any special attention.

Exception may be carry guns, which probably should be carried only in clean condition, against the possibility that they may be examined as forensic evidence.

 

[Hermann]

Simple formula I use.

1. After use.
2. After exposure to inclimate weather.
3. After 60-90 days of non use.

Same here ...

 

[Krull]

Generally?

After I fire 100+ rounds.
If I fire ten rounds and about a month passes.
I only clean after shooting with corrosive ammo,and that's just with my surplus rifle (a Mosin)

I do an inspection every few weeks but all I do if it hasn't been fired is lube it if needed.

Guns used with non-corrosive ammo ain't fragile things.

 

[cjcutter1]

After they have been handled or shot,or every few months if they havent been either of the previous.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I can't stand the sight of a dirty revolver -- every use.

My semi-auto weekly shooters are a different story. I know about how many rounds each will take until the action or barrel start to suffer (dirty chamber is often the culprit), and give each attention accordingly.

 

[Harrison]

If I am shooting lead, which leaves a dirty residue from the lubricant, after every use. Semi-autos and hunting rifles after every use if I fired 50+ rounds. Otherwise, a quick wipedown, light lube and boresnake.

 

[Black_Sheep]

After firing, I can't stand putting away a dirty firearm. At the very least they will get wiped off with a silicone cloth.

After being exposed to inclemente weather, rust never sleeps.

When I'm bored. Sometimes I give the blued ones a coat of wax, just because...

 

[cowboy117]

When they get dirty.I always use a Boresnake when i'm done shooting.

 

[chief38]

OLDMAN SAID IT ALL!

CHIEF38

 

[Rule3]

This often:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/114580-how-often-do-you-clean-your-handguns.html

 

[mike from st pete]

What is Meant by Cleaning?

Wipe them out and off after shooting. Pistols get a drop of oil for the slide and contact areas. After a few hundred rounds the firearm gets disassembled and cleaned with solvents, lubed as needed.
This is all moot if I use corrosive primed ammo.

 

[ENGINE18]

after every outing, exposure to incl, oh, several of you already said that! Plus I take them out and wipe them down with a treated cloth a lot so I don't feel freaky like I'm fondling them or something!!!!

 

[MrJT]

Simple formula I use.

1. After use.
2. After exposure to inclimate weather.
3. After 60-90 days of non use.

+1.

Doesn't matter if one round or one hundred have been put through... I clean it. I actually have a routine where every Sunday night I break out one of my guns that I haven't used in a while and clean it.

Yesterday after cutting the grass, I cleaned my 686 because there was some grass / dirt on it.

 

[K38]

after each use depending on the gun. .22 rifles don't get their bore cleaned that much if I am shooting good ammo. I always wipe my fingerprints off usually with a RIG Rag or Renaissance wax.

Dwight

 

[G.T. Smith]

I have to agree with every reply I have read. 1 or 1000 rds. my weapons are cleaned. I like to clean them when my wife and I are watching a really stupid movie. any time they sit around very long with no attention.

gordon

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Blued or nickle Smiths get cleaned whenever I touch them
I'm of the school that too much cleaning is not necssarily good. I only have a handful of guns that are blued /nickled that need a constant eye out on them. Most of my other working guns are stainless or coated and Altough I keep them clean & dry, I ain't anal about it..

 

[Dregg]

Clean after every use.