It has nothing to do with common sense! If it were that important, it would indeed be in the manual. Having said this, I applaud folks who clean every crack and crevice of their firearms. In fact, I myself probably err on the side of over cleaning!
Tuttle, I disagree with you. If it was a big deal, or a deal at ALL to manufacturers, it would be in their manuals... I assert that it isn't necessary or even important to disassemble a new factory weapon before shooting it the first time.
Not one manufacturer is going to be stupid enough to place a disclaimer or step to field strip and clean/inspect your new gun. That's just placing a target on their chest that says, "Don't by our products because we're not confident enough to send out a gun without a defective part or garbage/debris in it". To think just because the manufacturer doesn't have a step or procedure in their manual gives the green light to do or not do it. One that wants to use judgment strictly based on what's in the manual provides a perfect example that common sense is definitely at stake here.
Ever had your car tires replaced without you observing? Ever bought a new car? Ever bought a new-to-you car? If so, you can honestly tell me you just merely checked the oil, slammed the hood, and off you go? Well, I don't. I check the tires, under the hood, steering operation, and a few other cursory items before driving off the lot. I always thought it was a stupid thing to do since it was drilled in my head by my father, but I did it anyway. Glad I did spend the five minutes because someone would probably have been hurt or killed if I didn't. There's not one, single car manufacturer out there that tells you to check your car over before you first drive it off the lot.
It's important TO ME. It's common sense, TO ME, to field strip and clean the gun before going on it's first outing. Cleaning it assures I removed anything remotely possible that would gall(sp) friction surfaces, namely stainless steel. It assures any hidden debris left from the factory or some potential customers' crap from fondling it at the gun store is removed so there isn't any possible malfunctions. You never mentioned performing this, but I clean the barrel out to make sure there are no obstructions. A cleaned firearm provides easier inspection of critical components to assure there are no major defects such as cracks or corrosion (yes, there ARE new firearms out there in gun stores with corrosion on them). Merely slapping some CLP does NOT assure the said items are performed.
I'm not attacking you or anyone personally. I am attacking the statements of those that think they can fully trust a "new" piece of machinery coming from the factory is completely safe and cleaning/inspecting it is of no need. It's unsafe for the shooter. It's unsafe for the bystander. And it poses
no common sense to do so in...my....not...so...humble...opinion.
That's my common sense lesson of the day. Class dismissed...
