How Often are you Supposed to Clean your Gun?

Range gun? Whenever you feel like it.

Self defense gun? Every time you shoot, or wipe it down once a week if you haven't shot.

pax
 
Anywhere from everytime you shoot it, to when it malfunctions, to whenever you feel like it. There is no hard and fast rule.

I'm sort of in the "when I feel like it" camp. I might not do it right away, but I don't let them get to a point of malfunctioning either.
 
I clean mine every time i shoot them.

Seems like i read some where after 20 shots the carbon from the primmers becomes a problem. Mabie it's just a rifle problem
 
The correct answer (for me) is...it depends.

My carry gun gets cleaned at least once a month; or, at the end of any day when I've shot it. If I switch carry guns, and it's been a while since I've cleaned the stored one, I'll clean it before carrying it.

My hunting firearms get cleaned before and after each hunting season they're used for.

I also check my firearms periodically for rust, even though Arizona is fairly dry most of the time. Right now it's humid as heck here from the monsoon weather, so I check them from time to time.

I don't get completely goofy about having perfectly clean guns, but I want them to work if needed, and I enjoy cleaning and inspecting them.

Daryl

ETA-

Seems like i read some where after 20 shots the carbon from the primmers becomes a problem. Mabie it's just a rifle problem
Click to expand...

Don't believe everything you read. While an odd thing can happen from time to time, I've never had a problem from primers, and I've shot a whole lot more than that through my firearms between cleanings. My coyote rifle usually doesn't get cleaned 'till the end of calling season. I start shooting it in mid-October, and clean it about March. By then I'll easily have a few hundred rounds through it
 
I try to clean mine after I take them to the range. Unfortunately, sometimes I get busy and they don't get cleaned as often as they should.
 
If mine are shot, they are cleaned afterwards. Could you get by with less? Certainly but I like to keep my clean and lubed at all times.
 
I clean my guns (and mags) after every range use. If left unshot, I generally do a re-cleaning and lube every 6-8 months.
 
I clean my guns every time I shoot them.
Pocket guns should be cleaned regularily whether they are shot or not to help avoid build up of lint and dirt that may lead to malfunctions.

JMO
 
You're supposed to clean your guns?
Click to expand...
Arghh...you don't know how often I hear that, delivered in all seriousness. :eek:

I clean mine every time I shoot them. I recommend that others do so as well, though I acknowledge that the world will not spin off its axis if they fail to do so.

Cleaning the gun means stripping and inspecting it. Odd wear patterns or parts breakage will be spotted much earlier. It's also a good routine to get into.
 
I clean all guns I own every time I shoot them.

Historical tidbit: my mother's father, a decorated combat veteran and career Navy officer who fought in WWII, had a house rule -- every time you *touched* a gun, you cleaned it. IMHO that sounds a bit excessive, but Mom said that this went a *long* way to teaching her and her siblings that guns are not toys and to treat them with respect. So maybe it wasn't a bad house rule in a family with kids.
 
Seems like i read some where after 20 shots the carbon from the primers becomes a problem.
Click to expand...


Reply #1 Really, hum. Must have read it on the INTERNET.:rolleyes:

really toney? 20 shots? that seems like such a small amount. you're probably right though
Click to expand...

See reply #1.:rolleyes:
I must be very, very lucky to be able to get through a IDPA, 90-120:eek: round match and a USPSA 120-150:eek: round match WITHOUT having to clean my 1911.
 
I always clean mine after every shooting session. My daily carry weapon gets cleaned on a monthly basis to eliminate a build-up of lint and other assorted contaminants.
 
Was just looking at the manual that came with my Glock 23 (Imagine reading a manual !?!?)

It says (I'll paraphrase a bit) to clean it at least once a month, and more often if it's carried or shot.

Seems like good advice for a tool one's life may depend on.
 
I follow the every time I shoot rule as some of these guns are not only for target shooting but also my home defense guns.

The last thing you need is your gun malfunctioning when you need it most!
 
I clean mine after I shoot'em except for rifles during the hunting season. For hunting rifles I'll sight-in after cleaning and will not clean barrels again until the hunt is over.
 
Last edited:
I was brought up to clean your gun after every shooting session whether you were at the range or in the field. The number of rounds depended on how many you shot that day. I also clean mine at least once and most of the time twice a year even if I haven't shot them. Yeah call me old fashioned on this but sometimes the old ways are best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top