Bob,
Most gun manufacturers recommend a thorough cleaning and lubricating before firing the gun the first time. Most guns are test fired at the factory, so usually there is a little powder residue in the barrel. Also most guns are coated with a preservative grease or oil to prevent rusting while the gun sits in inventory. I like to disassemble a new gun, spray the whole thing down with a CLP (like Breakfree or Remington Nitro), wipe it down, clean the bore, and give it a good lube before shooting the first time. Glad I did with my P97, as this particular one didn't seem to have a drop of grease or oil on it. This way I know that it is properly lubricated, and it also helps you get familiarized with the internal operation of the gun.
Most gun manufacturers recommend a thorough cleaning and lubricating before firing the gun the first time. Most guns are test fired at the factory, so usually there is a little powder residue in the barrel. Also most guns are coated with a preservative grease or oil to prevent rusting while the gun sits in inventory. I like to disassemble a new gun, spray the whole thing down with a CLP (like Breakfree or Remington Nitro), wipe it down, clean the bore, and give it a good lube before shooting the first time. Glad I did with my P97, as this particular one didn't seem to have a drop of grease or oil on it. This way I know that it is properly lubricated, and it also helps you get familiarized with the internal operation of the gun.