Newb cleaning question

[jim58]

Searched and didn't find an answer to this question. Took the NRA pistol course and just purchased first gun, M&P9. Haven't even had a chance to get to the range with it yet but have been reading whatever I can. Regarding cleaning I've seen several comments that when cleaning bore, brush/patches/etc. should only be run through in the direction the bullet travels, never from muzzle end. True? If yes, why? I bought the standard Hoppes pistol cleaning kit to get started. Any and all advice and comments welcome.

 

[jim58]

Searched and didn't find an answer to this question. Took the NRA pistol course and just purchased first gun, M&P9. Haven't even had a chance to get to the range with it yet but have been reading whatever I can. Regarding cleaning I've seen several comments that when cleaning bore, brush/patches/etc. should only be run through in the direction the bullet travels, never from muzzle end. True? If yes, why? I bought the standard Hoppes pistol cleaning kit to get started. Any and all advice and comments welcome.

 

[oonin]

One of the reasons people recommend bullet travel, one way cleaning is to avoid damaging the crown at the end of the barrel. A high quality cleaning rod is a great investment. Cheap kits normally come with an aluminum rod. The minimum you would want would be a coated rod and carbon fiber would be the best. I go one way only with a brush, but I scrub back and forth with a patch. I have at least 20 different cleaning products and have settled on Breakfree CLP as my go to product. I finish with MCM synthetic. I also use short bamboo skewers from the grocery store to get in small places and clean grooves and rails. Follow this with q-tips.

 

[OKFC05]

Follow this link to detailed video instructions on pistol care:
http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/MaintenanceGuides.aspx

It is from SIG, but the steps and processes are the same for an M&P.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

In the initial video, the instructor takes the magazine apart for cleaning. How often is that really done?

 

[OKFC05]

Originally posted by HOUSTON RICK:
In the initial video, the instructor takes the magazine apart for cleaning. How often is that really done?

For me before every sanctioned match and whenever I can see dirt inside. I live in a dusty area.

Two years ago when shooting at Greenville, TX in a sea of mud and standing water (it rained 2 inches the night before) they had buckets of water at each stage to rinse the mud out. I asked another competitor if he thought the casual shooters would believe how often we were cleaning magazines and speedloaders that day!!

He said non-competitors would never believe how often we cleaned magazines, anyway.

CRC "dry" Silicone spray makes a good magazine cleaner and leaves a slick non-stick finish.
Generally available at Ace Hardware and WalMart.