Maintenance schedule

[Ianwe]

Hey....rookie here. I want to keep my guns in good condition.
Can someone walk me through everything that needs to be done to a handgun and when.
When should I replace RSA.
Magazine springs.
Cleaning beyond the basic.
And anything else.
Thanks!

 

[B0308]

Ianwe,

A little more info will yield better answers, if you have a specific handgun in mind. For instance:

Make and Model
Caliber
Stock or extended magazines

The quality (relatively speaking) of the centerfire ammo will have an affect on cleaning as well (e.g. non-corrosive hopefully, dirty Russian or more standard US/EU quality).

Best of luck

 

[Ianwe]

It was kind of a general firearms question. I have a few different ones but lets stick with the Smith and Wesson Shield 9mm. Both magazines.

 

[MichiganScott]

Replace the magazine springs when they stop feeding well.

I use separate mags for the range and for self defense. Once the SD mags have been proofed, I don't want to take a chance of dropping one and bending the feed lips.

 

[PirateJim]

It depends a lot on how much you are shooting the gun, but assuming you break it in and get used to the gun with 500 or so rounds early on and then practice with it monthly, about 100 rounds of decent quality (USA) ammo each time, I would (and will personally) just clean and oil per S&W instructions after each practice session. A little oil goes a long way! Particularly on a carry gun. If you worry, add a couple drops more right before practicing, then clean it off after. After year one and two hose the action out with Gun Scrubber on its anniversary. At the end of year 3 either do a full strip and clean or let a gun smith do it for you. Shouldn't be that big an expense.

If you shoot a lot more, adjust that schedule accordingly. If you shoot a lot less reconsider your training schedule.

 

[B0308]

Good advice so far. With a Shield 9mm and decent ammo I would not over achieve on cleaning. After 150-200 rounds, a field strip and good wipe down of all components and bore snake of simple cleaning of the bore. Assemble and a light we with your lube of choice.

After 500 or so, field strip and a detailed cleaning, making sure the extractor is clear of gunk and frame parts as well. Consider a brush and solvent down the bore and patches until they come out clean. Lube per manual, though intend to use a quality grease at wear points, YMMV.

I have a number of Shield magazines, so none are really showing any wear. The only metal magazines I've replaced due to wear were 1911 ones and that was due to the magazine lips spreading, vice the springs. If you get failures to feed after extend use, consider the springs. I don't know what the "no go" specs would be for a Shield magazine feed lips. Maybe someone else does.

Overall anti-corrosion for the external surfaces depends on your climate, how much you carry and how (IWB, OWB etc) and the lube/protectant you use.

Enjoy your Shield

 

[Beretta Dawg]

I'm no expert, so let me point that out in the beginning, but I will tell you what I do.

After every range trip, I clean and lubricate no matter how many rounds I fired. If it's my carry gun and it wasn't one that I shot during the week, I will field strip it, wipe it down and re-lube.

With magazine springs, I believe someone else already said it, but I just change them if they start to show problems with feeding. This is why it is a good idea to mark your magazines in some way in order to distinguish patterns if there are ever problems. I do take my magazines apart every couple of months or so for the guns I shoot regularly for a good cleaning.

For the recoil and other springs, around 5,000 rounds is the replacement mileage that I go by. I don't really remember where I got that into my head, but I think it was when I got my first pistol and had the same questions that you have. I think I actually called Beretta and asked them and was given that number.

Hope that helps.

 

[Old cop]

I was issued my Glock 23 in the early '90s and retired w/it in '97. I've never replaced the mag springs, kept all three mags fully loaded all the time and never had a failure related to the magazines.

 

[Ianwe]

Thanks guys! I live in northern New Hampshire. Extreme cold in the winter and very humid in the summer.
I carry every day IWB, shoot about 150 rounds a week but, not all with the SHIELD.