Maintenance routine for your edc?
- Thread starter win-lose
- Start date
Well, I clean and lubricate it, test for function, ensure function at the range for say 50 or so cartridges, wipe the carbon off the inside, then I carry it. Every other month I'll repeat the process. When it goes back in the safe I wipe the lint off the top of the slide. This all after running at least 200 rds of ammo as an initial run and a preferred 500 rds total of ammo as a good to go indicator, plus at least a box of defense ammo, when I buy the pistol initially. I really don't see anything that requires a lot more thought than a revolver.
One caution I would give is keep some mind to the temperature where the pistol is stored. If you use a very viscous lubricant it may cause some issues in extreme cold (I learned that the hard way with Frog Lube).
One caution I would give is keep some mind to the temperature where the pistol is stored. If you use a very viscous lubricant it may cause some issues in extreme cold (I learned that the hard way with Frog Lube).
cc-hangfire
New member
Similar to above:
A) check condition (for lint, dust buildup, function check) daily or at least weekly,
B) field strip-clean-lubricate at least monthly whether shot or not, and
C) shoot oldest ammo (the top rounds of JHP in the mag - these are the ones that get chambered & unloaded frequently) along with a magazine or two of FMJ ammo at least every two months; field strip-clean-lubricate afterward.
A) check condition (for lint, dust buildup, function check) daily or at least weekly,
B) field strip-clean-lubricate at least monthly whether shot or not, and
C) shoot oldest ammo (the top rounds of JHP in the mag - these are the ones that get chambered & unloaded frequently) along with a magazine or two of FMJ ammo at least every two months; field strip-clean-lubricate afterward.
About 2 times a month I go to the range. I shoot the mag in my carry pistol, plus it's spare mag. (Then shoot my normal target pistols) When I get home, I clean the carry gun and reload with fresh ammo. I figure I always have a clean pistol and fresh ammo if the time we hope never happens, does happen.
Limnophile
New member
Clean it every time it's shot or exposed to the elements (precipitation or dripping sweat, which has never happened because I've never drawn the weapon in the rain and in the rain my cover garment protects it, and in the PNW heat is usually not enough to cause excessive sweat). Otherwise, clean it once a month (which usually just involves checking lubrication and for lint accumulation if not fired).
Captains1911
New member
I usually shoot my carry gun (G19) at least twice a month, after which it gets cleaned and re-lubed. If it doesn't get fired it gets cleaned and re-lubed once a month.
Thanks folks. Over the years, I've found that my sigs and my 1911 tend to run best with oils (I like the the discontinued S&W Premium CLP and have a bunch of it), which doesn't have the staying power of grease. So, I've been re-lubing every couple of weeks. I'm still not sure how I want to handle chambered round (i.e. how many rechamberings are still reliable) and am kinda leaning towards just looking for obvious defects and deciding every time if the round is still good. As for magazine maintenance, I kinda just give them a little "tap" every now and then, but wonder if more should be done.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Yeah it doesn't require much extra work. I do the same routine mentioned by most others in this topic, and always wipe down my gun/holster when it comes off for the night. I only use grease my Sig, but not enough that it requires additional cleaning daily. Two weeks or so between cleanings (when not fired) has been fine.
I use an oil-like lubricant on the barrel and locking lugs (Slip 2000) and grease on the slide rails for metal frames pistols. I use Shooters Choice grease on the slide rails but a lot of folks use white lithium grease and it's a lot cheaper. As for rechambering rounds that's sort of user choice. You can always compare it once a while to an unused cartridge to make sure there isn't setback and examine the rim to make sure the extractor hasn't chewed it up too bad. I try to shoot off the chambered round every other month or so. For magazines I use 3 for the range and classes and 3 just for carry. I test the carry magazines for function when I get them (say 100 rds each) and then I leave them downloaded by one round. That way the springs in the carry magazines aren't constantly being compressed and released, which is what usually wears out springs. However as long as you keep an eye on them and watch for any feed issues you should be able to use one set for everything. I do it because in classes the magazines are often getting dropped on concrete so that way if a feed lip gets bent it won't take a carry mag out of rotation.
Captains1911
New member
Before I chamber a defensive round of ammunition, I put a small mark on the case with a sharpie. Once an individual round has 4 marks, I take it out of circulation.
I take my EDC (Glock 19) to the range 3-5 times a year. After each session, the gun is cleaned an lubricated consistent with manufacturer guidelines. I am always careful not to over-lubricate my EDC because the weapon's engineers warn that this can attract lint and other debris which can cause a malfunction.
sigarms228
New member
My main CCW is my Walther PPQ in either a Raven Concealment Phantom OWB or JM Custom Kydex IWB ver 4 holster. I live in an area where humidity is not a problem.
I shoot it typically at least once a month. I wipe down the exterior metal with a very light coat of Breakfree CLP weekly - just enough to put a shine on the finish.
I clean the barrel from the muzzle end after each range trip using only patches and Breakfree CLP and with the last patch leaving a very light coat in the bore.
About after every three or four range trips I field strip and clean/lube my PPQ just BEFORE I go to the range again.
I shoot it typically at least once a month. I wipe down the exterior metal with a very light coat of Breakfree CLP weekly - just enough to put a shine on the finish.
I clean the barrel from the muzzle end after each range trip using only patches and Breakfree CLP and with the last patch leaving a very light coat in the bore.
About after every three or four range trips I field strip and clean/lube my PPQ just BEFORE I go to the range again.
SauerGrapes
New member
I have 3 carry guns. All have the same controls and actions. I shoot 1 of them when I go to the range.
Don't get to the range much anymore with work, and can't carry in a interstate commercial vehicle so I rarely carry.
I do take them apart now and then just to wipe down and oil.
I miss my range time.
Don't get to the range much anymore with work, and can't carry in a interstate commercial vehicle so I rarely carry.
I do take them apart now and then just to wipe down and oil.
I miss my range time.
I carry a Kimber 4" as my duty pistol to my cop job every day. I carry the same gun off duty. It get's carried if I'm awake. About (that's right, about) once every 30 days or so it gets wiped off. It doesn't get unloaded, rubbed, looked at, tinkered with, or anything else. Enough times of that and you're begging for an ammo failure because of mangled rims.
I shoot 2000+ rounds a year through that gun, and it gets cleaned after firing, but beyond that, it gets wiped off and carried.
After many years of it being dragged around 365 days a year, sweated on when I mow, dusted out when I work around the farm, blah, blah, blah, it has never failed to do what it's supposed to when I pull the trigger.
The other thing to consider is the more you manipulate and screw around with a loaded gun, the more likely you are to have a negligent discharge.
My gun is a tool, and it gets treated as such.
I shoot 2000+ rounds a year through that gun, and it gets cleaned after firing, but beyond that, it gets wiped off and carried.
After many years of it being dragged around 365 days a year, sweated on when I mow, dusted out when I work around the farm, blah, blah, blah, it has never failed to do what it's supposed to when I pull the trigger.
The other thing to consider is the more you manipulate and screw around with a loaded gun, the more likely you are to have a negligent discharge.
My gun is a tool, and it gets treated as such.