Proper cleaning of the 9MM Sigma

[kona0197]

I just want to make sure I am cleaning my Sigma correctly. After a range visit, usually 100 or more rounds, I clean my pistol. I start by field stripping the pistol. I work on the barrel first, using a metal brush in 9MM caliber to scrub off deposits of gun powder residue and all the other deposits in or around the barrel. I use cotton patches to wipe away the solvent until they come out clean. I then apply oil to the outside of the barrel at the points the manual tells me to. I clean up the slide much the same way except in addition to scrubbing with the brush I use q-tips in the hard to reach areas. I apply four drops of oil at the metal slides on the frame and re-assemble the pistol and give it a good wipe down.

I am using Gunslick products.

Should I be doing anything different?

 

[WildCard ZX6R]

That sounds to be about what i do. I use Hoppe's 9 myself cause i like the smell..

You might want to put a drop of oil on the end of the barrel and on on top of the barrel where the slide contacts during unlocking as well.

 

[kona0197]

You might want to put a drop of oil on the end of the barrel and on on top of the barrel where the slide contacts during unlocking as well.

I do. that's what I meant when I said I apply oil to the barrel where the Owner's manual says to do so. Guess I worded that sentence in my first post wrong.

I'm not cleaning it too much am I? It seems it gathers a fair amount of dust and pet dander when I leave it out beside the bed for home defense.

I saw on You Tube once a guy said not to field strip the pistol too much or it will become loose and no operate correctly. So far I have not had this happen.

 

[WildCard ZX6R]

I do. that's what I meant when I said I apply oil to the barrel where the Owner's manual says to do so. Guess I worded that sentence in my first post wrong.

I'm not cleaning it too much am I? It seems it gathers a fair amount of dust and pet dander when I leave it out beside the bed for home defense.

I saw on You Tube once a guy said not to field strip the pistol too much or it will become loose and no operate correctly. So far I have not had this happen.

opps i must have zoned out on the part about oil on the barrel... lol

I wouldn't worry about wearing out the gun by cleaning it. I've fired in excess of 15,000 rounds through my most current sigma (I miss the days of $11 100 round WWB value packs ) and mine still shoots fine. It rattles a bit and isn't nearly as "tight" as it was but its nowhere near being "worn out". If i could afford it i would shoot another 15,000 through it to see what happens.

 

[kona0197]

What do I use if I want to degrease the trigger area or sear area indide the receiver without taking out the pins and leaving everything assembled? Some sort of foaming solvent?

 

[WildCard ZX6R]

I've used brake cleaner in the past, but since i don't shoot it as much i just smother the area with hoppe's soak q-tips and when it gets really bad i take the pins out and all that. But i've only taken it down about a dozen times in the last 15K rounds or so.

If i were a betting man and someone was willing to take the bet i would think that a sigma could go well over 5000 rounds of decent quality ammo without anymore than a bit of lube every couple thousand.

 

[tbone2]

What do I use if I want to degrease the trigger area or sear area indide the receiver without taking out the pins and leaving everything assembled? Some sort of foaming solvent?

I use Gun Scrubber for this area on my auto pistols. It is an aresol spray cleaner that works great on every gun I've used it on. Just be sure to use the "Synthetic Safe" version on your Sigma.

 

[jppezz23]

Good information thanks guys.

 

[p5200]

When using Gun Scrubber to spray out the trigger, and safety areas should a couple drops of oil be added in those areas too since they will now be bone dry? Also, I've been using Break Free CLP on all my firearms for lubricant. Is this stuff ok to use for just lubricating purposes as well, as a bore cleaner/preservative or, would something like Balistol be better Thanks!

 

[blastfact]

I use a nylon brush on my Sigma's barrel.

When mine was still new I did a very,,, I mean very slight polish on the barrel. Maybe "detail" would be a better word.

I slugged it out to make sure the barrel was spec with no tight or loose spots. It was perfect. I then took Rem 40-X bore cleaner to it using barrel mops and patches. After a couple of hundred strokes with the 40-X I took Meg's. Scratch-X to the barrel. After 300 or strokes with the Scratch-X the barrel looked perfect!

Barrel cleans up in a snap now!

 

[Charliee530]

Bore Brush

Throughout that whole post I did not hear anyone say they use a copper bore brush!! I think that and the jag are the 2 most critical Cleaning attachments!! I WAY prefer Hoppes #9 over any break free product. Not slamming Break Free, their product does NOT do everything they say it does. I only use Break Free to clean mags and when I'm outta Rem Oil. Just my thoughts

 

[Charliee530]

Sorry Kona.... I just re-read you used a wire brush but run a Jag also if you have one

 

[mediumdaddy]

so apparently i'm the only one who uses solvent on the trigger area to clean everything off? or is this not necessary? or maybe i should not be doing this at all?

 

[J Rich]

I prefer using Bore Snakes, old tooth brushes, old t-shirt rags, break-free, and CLP oil.

 

[OKFC05]

For the Sigma frame-mounted parts, if you want to clean them, CRC silicone is ideal. The heptane solvent washes out any residue, and the trace of dry silicone powder left is all that is needed to lubricate the plastic parts. Put 1/2 drop of light oil on the sear engagement surface only. One drop on each of the frame points that engage the slide.
Only lube on the slide parts is on the barrel, NEVER on the striker.
The Sigma can run almost dry, and too much lube just gums it up.

 

[icemn]

I prefer using Bore Snakes, old tooth brushes, old t-shirt rags, break-free, and CLP oil.

I'm with JRich. Pretty quick, cheap and simple.
Only thing I do different is skip the oil. I let the Breakfree CLP suffice.