Routine Cleaning of Semi-Auto Pistols

S

Skorzeny

New member
I wanted to ask all of you a question regarding routine cleaning (that is, cleaning after each shooting session).

Is it enough to brush off the debris and gunk from the parts (particularly the frame) with a mildly solvent soaked brush, in order to remove particles from interfering with mechanical operation of the pistol OR it is necessary to attempt to wipe off the parts more completely in an effort to prevent corrosion?

Obviously in either case, I would wipe the solvent off and apply some lubrication (unless using a CLP type of cleaner).

Skorzeny
 
How many rounds fired? How long till you'll shoot again? Two questions that when answered will give you an answer. During the shooting season, I seldom do more than run a Bore Snake thru the barrel, freshen up the lube and wipe off my finger prints. By the time I reach 500 rounds a proper cleaning is in order. Of course I'm using the pistol on a weekly bases.

If the gun will be stored for any length of time a complete cleaning is called for after the range trip, regardless of the round count. I hope this helps some but remember, too clean is better than left dirty. IMHO

(edit for phrasing and spelling:o . Why do I stay up so late;) )
 
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I usually clean everything I shoot like it's going to go into long term storage, as soon as possible after shooting.

I learned the hard way via a few ruined guns and marred finishes.
 
Like RAE,

I typically clean my weapons after every trip to the range, regardless of whether or not I'm going back the next day or next year. I'm sort of a fanatic about it. Anal? Yes and very careful and meticulous when it comes to those things that can cause serious injury if not treated properly.
 
I don't clean if I have shot under 50 rounds, and I know I will shoot again in a week or so, and its not my carry piece.

Under any other circumstance its clean after shooting.
 
KMKeller,

Anal? Not necessarily. Depends on whether you were instructed on the finer points of weapon maintenance by a kindly drill sergeant in basic.
 
All weapons in the Will Beararms Freedom Arsenal are cleaned after each use------------------not always directly after but before another use takes place.

Obviously, if I shot fifty rounds, the attention to detail may not be as much as when I bust a thousand or so caps.
 
Clean Guns

My guns are always stripped and cleaned after each range trip ;)
One bullet or one thousand and it gets stripped down.:)
I just don't like dirty guns ;) Not in my safe :D
 
If it's hot and shootin' a lot...I get a big can of some aerosol with a lot of power and "rinse well"...then shoot it dry and take it home and strip it...down to the FINISH...then clean and lube and re-assemble... ;)

...and if it's cold...and shootin' a lot...I get a big can of some aerosol with a lot of power and "rinse well"...then shoot it dry and take it home and strip it...down to the FINISH...then clean and lube and re-assemble... ;)

...and if I wanna' just draw a few times and dry fire it...

...well, you get the idea...

I like to think that we'll never have the situation where you won't be able to get home and safe before the doo-doo drops...
...but if it does...at least my damn guns won't be the reason I get hurt
bandit.gif
 
Dave T

I come from a long line of gun enthusiasts and collectors who have always been extremely meticulous about cleaning and lubricating their weapons. The guiding philosophy has always been that if you are betting your life on it's functioning properly, you had better give it every chance.

Also, members of my lineage served in WWI, WWII, Korea and 'Nam and each one was saved numerous times by a well maintained weapon. I was in the Navy, so I never had the benefit of Drill Seargents, but my father (former Army) had me tearing down and detailing his 1911A1s, M1s and the like before I was 10.

Kinda boils down to the "eternal vigilance" frame of mind. Every weapon I own is ready to go 100% full on at any time, should the requirement to do so ever arise.:)
 
Let's face it

This is a gun by gun thing, affected by other variables as well, such as how many guns you shoot on a regular basis and what ammo.

I don't clean my .22's after each session, pistols or rifles. Clean the bore with a CLP patch on a wooden dowel. Full cleaning only when dirty, when working on, or every eight hundred to a thousand rounds.

I clean the bore of my M1A and other centerfire rifles after every session as well as the chamber area. Full cleaning is done when the piston no longer slides freely, when the gun is dirty or at 300-500 rounds.

I generally pick a centfire pistol (like a 9mm or .45) for range use and use it for four or five weeks before I clean it, unless it's one of the three guns I carry, which I don't shoot often. (I have guns like them to shoot instead.)

Guns I only shoot once in a while I clean after use and before putting away.

Regards.
 
No matter how many rounds, they are detail stripped immediately after I get home and cleaned. Ya never know when a buddy is going to call with an emergency request to go out shootin:D
 
Weapon Maintenance-

Every firearm should be stripped and cleaned after each use.:)
I prefer to detail each firearm, not only after each use; but
at least every three month's, whether it needs it or not.
Sometimes small particles of lead fouling will work loose
and remain in the bore; or hide in various places inside
the slide, frame, or magazines of autoloader's.:eek:
Using a chemical such as "Break Free" CLP helps to
eliminate such particles from working into the action,
and possibility causing a malfunction.:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
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