When to deep clean your S&W Airweight

[38SPL HV]

Do you periodically remove side plate and do a deep clean of the internal parts in your J frames? I typically just field strip removing cylinder and yoke/crane and cleanup.

I decided to remove the side plate (properly, by tapping) and used my nylon brush to remove some unwanted fouling and excess lube. Didn't remove the internal parts though...may leave that up to S&W after I put through a few thousand. Yes, I do shoot a lot.

What are your protocols when deep cleaning your J frame, how often, how, etc???

 

[JayFramer]

Basically never.

Just a DROP of oil every once in a while into the mechanism or through the holes and that's really just about it really.

 

[Pisgah]

The average revolver won't need to be opened up for cleaning in its lifetime unless used in extreme conditions, or dropped into the mud or a creek or something. As already noted, light application of a good, thin gun oil will keep things proper.

 

[rockquarry]

I bought an M60 new forty years ago. Several other J-frames are older and were bought used. They're all fired regularly, in fact, the M60 and an M36 were fired this week. They all function fine and I've never had the sideplate off. Pretty much the same for all my S&W revolvers. I do try and remember to take the cylinders off every five years or so, but I'm pretty sure I've never removed the cylinders on several.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I have, but it was more for inspection than cleaning or lubing, though I did clean and lube while I was in there. No disassembly, except for the one time I had to replace a broken bolt in a 64.

I might do it every few years, or if something seems wrong or doesn't feel right when cycling the trigger. I definitely wouldn't consider it necessary, unless the gun got dunked, or buried in dirt, or something like that, or, as I said, something feels wrong. Keep the gun cleaned and lubed properly, and you could probably go the rest of your life never opening the sideplate.

At the same time, I don't think one should be afraid to do so. I'm not particularly mechanically-inclined, but with patience, care, and proper technique, I can do it without causing problems.

Just my opinion.

 

[max503]

If anything I would take off the cylinder and clean under the extractor really well, but not the side plate.

 

[Johnnu2]

Being that I'm retired (and anal) I take mine totally apart every 5 years or so just because I like to see what's going on and do a D&C (dust and clean). Also, recently, I have stumbled across three Performance Center guns (of friends) that had large amounts of a 'powdery/fine sandy substance' in their innards, so if I had a new gun, the first thing I would do now is pull that side-plate. On my non-S&W new guns, I usually totally disassemble and clean as a matter of course.
J.

 

[Liftrat]

... Also, recently, I have stumbled across three Performance Center guns (of friends) that had large amounts of a 'powdery/fine sandy substance' in their innards, so if I had a new gun, the first thing I would do now is pull that side-plate. On my non-S&W new guns, I usually totally disassemble and clean as a matter of course.
J.

Agreed. I've run into several new guns (not S&Ws), that had what appears to be fine sand in the actions. A detailed disassembly and cleaning is almost always on the list of to-dos.

 

[Rule3]

Basically never.

Just a DROP of oil every once in a while into the mechanism or through the holes and that's really just about it really.

The only time is if I bought a USED gun, I look under the hood and hose it out with gun scrubber,A few drops of oil, never to be seen again.
For average shooting even what some may consider a"a lot" there is no reason. Thousands of round each and every week, maybe.

 

[Kenny D]

What I do

I'm not anal but I thoroughly clean and oil every firearm I buy, new or mostly used. Presently own a Colt 38 Army Special that left the factory in late 1913 or early 14. Next an S & W Model of 1905 shipped in 1925. Last is an S & W Model 36 shipped in1984-85. All were free of gum or varnish but did need oiling. Never found anything thing wrong with a new firearm but I felt better firing them, knowing they were OK. After that, I clean the cylinders and bore after firing and field strip them and clean them when I think they need it.

 

[Injunbro]

The only time I ever remove a S&W side plate is to do action work. some have been carried for decades w/ only occasional oiling. I have one I inherited that's close to 100 & never been apart, I did hose the innards w/ carburetor cleaner & hit it w/ the air hose once (& oiled).