New pistol....clean before 1st use?

2

2toss

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I am picking up my new Beretta 92FS this weekend. I have heard opposing info on whether it needs to be cleaned before the first use. One person told me that some manufacturers put a heavy duty lube on their pistols before shipping, and that needs to be cleaned off before shooting for the first time. Another person said the gun is more likely to be dry and need oiling before the first use. Being a newbie, I'm not sure I will be able to tell it's condition at first look. I guess the safe thing would be to do my 1st field strip, wipe it down, and put a little oil on it. But of course I will be anxious to shoot it right out of the box!

Any thoughts,
2toss
 
Depends on the gun but it is always prudent to at least wipe a gun down and always make sure the barrel is clear before firing. Never know unless you look.

I just wiped down a 23 year old 92FS that doesn't look like it has seen the light of day since 1993. Still had some protecterant on it and the mags, guns was very dry. Mags were very dry.

I would not have simply just unboxed it and loaded and blazed away without checking the gun out and at least wiping it down and looking it over.

Clean it , no not necessary but a good wipe down won't hurt.
 
Not sure about Berettas in particular, but many firearms have a preservative on them from the factory that is not really a lubricant. Your gun may run with the stuff on it, but best practice is to field strip, clean and lubricate before shooting. Why take any chances on damaging you or your new gun? Only takes a few minutes to know that it's ready and safe to shoot.
 
Exactly^^^. It can only benefit the firearm, doesn't take long, lets you get a better look at it for defects.

And congrats on a great gun!
 
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Yes, sometimes they don't get all the grit from manufacturing out...
so Always clean & lube before hitting the range with a new, or new-to-you firearm :)

And let us not forget that dirt daubers can fit into the tinyest of spaces...
old rifle stored in a barn on the wall, had a nest in it...
first shot was a real Lu-Lu ;)
 
Field strip, wipe, few drops of lube on the frame rails, check the bore for obstructions, back together, load mag, fire............. All of that can be done while you're in the passenger seat on the way to the range........... Except the load mag and fire part..........Just saying.
 
Some of the lube is actually a preservative grease which I replace. Clean and check what you can. I often go all the way and compleately take the gun apart for avery detailed inspection . I also remove burrs and maybe do some polishing. Learn in that process how the gun operates and practice field stripping.
 
I disassemble and wipe off the assembly lube, then lube it with proper lubricant...

I check the barrel as well.


Takes only a few minutes, we'll under ten.
 
I say clean it. Why not? Bond with your new toy before taking it out of your house. Gun cleaning it fun. All the reasons for cleaning it first have already been posted above. :)
 
A thorough inspection (should have been done before you bought it), and a cleaning and lubing per the owner's manual. Dry the bore and chamber(s) prior to shooting. Rod
 
You always want to make sure there is nothing in the bore before you shoot the gun, and that it's clean. Some metal flakes in there could really screw up your bore, or worse, the gun could explode if there is a bore obstruction and you along with everyone else near you could be instantly killed.
 
I always closely inspect any new gun then strip and clean it and oil it well whether it needs it or not. It doesn't take but a few minutes and lets you become a little more familiar with the gun before using it.

The "Heavy Duty Lube" you mention is most likely cosmoline, commonly called "Cosmo" which is a gel looking grease some gun manufacturers will put on the guns before shipping as an added protection. It is thick, about the color of Coca-cola and very easy to spot. It will be packed on like a gel. Taurus uses it very much to the point of overkill but it will never harm a gun.

Strip it, clean it, become familiar with it, oil it and most importantly HAVE FUN.
 
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I am picking up my new Beretta 92FS this weekend. I have heard opposing info on whether it needs to be cleaned before the first use. One person told me that some manufacturers put a heavy duty lube on their pistols before shipping, and that needs to be cleaned off before shooting for the first time. Another person said the gun is more likely to be dry and need oiling before the first use. Being a newbie, I'm not sure I will be able to tell it's condition at first look. I guess the safe thing would be to do my 1st field strip, wipe it down, and put a little oil on it. But of course I will be anxious to shoot it right out of the box!
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First time it shouldn't be a major concern.

If you feel the need run a patch with solvent down the barrel and let it sit for an hour, run a few dry patches through until clean. Take the slide off and coat the frame and slide rails with gun grease. Now you are ready to go.
 
I mentioned this in another thread -- I just bought an M9, let it sit in my safe for a week or so, and then ran 200 rounds through it at the range. It jammed once and the slide failed to lock back 3 times. Now I wish I had cleaned and lubed it first before I went. Definitely do it.
 
Thanks for the advice. Cleaning seems to be the logical course. This will be the 1st time I have ever cleaned a gun. If I use solvent, I need to let it dry for awhile before lubing it?
 
I field strip, wipe parts with rag, oil where necessary, pull Boresnake through a few times. Takes about 10 mins.
 
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