[USMCDK]

Hello again everyone,

Now I know that there is a thread out there right now that's asking a question about how often to clean your weapon, but one thing that I believe the OP could/should have done was post a poll with it to guage his findings.

So here it is.

THe Millon dollar question... Should you clean your weapon after every firing session???

and you can only pick one. To be honest I am asking a question that doesn't require any typed answer I really am doing this as to aid the OP of the other thread by posting this link every so often so that he may see results that may help/swade him to either side of the FORCE. HAHAHAHA. *Cough* umm well here we go.

USMCDK

[bakert]

It varies with me. Usually if I haven't shot a very large number of rounds at the range and intend to shoot again in a few days, all I do is wipe the guns down with a dab of Breakfree, maybe brush the cylinders out on revolvers and wipe the feed ramp and breech face off on autos. In fact getting ready to shoot some more today with the guns I shot last Friday. I'll probably give 'em a thorough cleaning after todays session. Others here are much more fastidious than I am:)

[primlantah]

should you? yes. do i? no.

[phoglund]

I voted "No" but I usually do.

[NG VI]

I don't always clean immediately like I used to, I used to swab them out religiously after every firing, and sometimes just because I had some time. I think I was worried about ammunition being corrosive or something, now I know it isn't really an issue with modern rounds.

[easyg]

THe Millon dollar question... Should you clean your weapon after every firing session???
Absolutely!

Not only will your firearm be nice and clean and ready for the next range session, it will also allow you to inspect your firearm for any possible damage that might have occurred during the last session.

Who knows...you might discover a crack in the frame, or a broken spring, etc....and you wouldn't want to discover those problems in the middle of the night while facing an intruder in your home!

[PPGMD]

Unless it's a carry gun I think it's best to go 500-1000 rounds between cleanings, particularly of the bore on a handgun.

[brentfoto]

Should one clean every time?

Sorry, I don't like the question posed. I think it better 'is it necessary to clean every time'?

And, then, that's a very general question. I guess that it depends on the firearm and its intended use.

Overall, generally, I do not believe it 'ill-advised' not to clean every time.

So, with that in mind, I voted "No".

[DawgFvr]

But of course!

[Feanaro]

I clean my .22s when they stop working, which hasn't happened yet, and wipe off after every range session. I usually clean everything else after I shoot but sometimes they sit dirty for a week. I've yet to be struck by a bolt of lightning and none of my firearms have disintegrated into a pile of rust. ;)

I always clean my go-to pistol and anything I've put corrosive ammo through.

[Dirtypacman]

I voted yes but then again I don't.
I tend to clean em when I got the time.

[Im283]

I voted no. It is better to have a slightly dirty weapon than to over clean them.

[Silvanus]

I don't know what you "should" do. But I can't put a dirty gun in my safe (or holster).

[VHinch]

Probably, but I don't always do it either. If it's something that I don't carry and just sits in the safe after each firing, then it does get cleaned and then put away. My carry gun, it depends on how dirty it is. .22's, never anything beyond a wipe down.

[GrendelPrime]

I'm not qualified to answer whether or not one should clean after every firing, but I enjoy cleaning my weapons, it's kind of therapeutic.
I run through a checklist before heading to the range, physically laying hands on every item I'm bringing.
I run through the same list before leaving to make sure I bring everything home.
I clean each weapon before storing them.

A little OCD never hurt anyone. :rolleyes:

[Thernlund]

I answered yes, because you should. But you don't have to by any stretch. A tough cheap gun like a Glock can go a hell of a long time without cleaning. I have a buddy who hasn't cleaned his in a year and a half.

I have an AR-15 that I cleaned once right after I bought it. Never cleaned it since (about a year). Still works fine.


-T.

[MS .45]

If the gun is being used on the range only, than I clean it after each use and put it in the safe. For my carry piece, I like to run at least a magazine through it after a cleaning just to function check it. Just a wierd habit of mine.

[Vicious-Peanut]

IMO, it depends. My handloads burn way way cleaner than the factory stuff does so I may not clean it everytime. Is cleaning everytime a good idea? Yes.

[rklessdriver]

I voted YES.

I guess it's the Marine in me, but everytime I fire one of my weapons it gets cleaned afterwards. I'm a real stickler on having my weapons well cared for. Sometimes espc nasty "range reloads" and other dirty ammo of the like, require the Q-Tips to come out... boot camp style :).
Semper Fi
Will

[Eroc]

I voted yes primarily because this is the handgun forum, and handguns are used for CCW. My $0.02

[OOOXOOO]

Not only do I clean my firearms after shooting, I clean every weapon in the arsenal at least once a month. I also do this with my hand tools I use everyday. Clean tools work better and know I love them.

[Dale_Hash]

I try to clean my guns every couple thousand rounds. I do drag a bore snake through them once in awhile. Thank god for Brian Enos Slide-glide.

[HM2PAC]

OOOXOOO wrote:
Not only do I clean my firearms after shooting, I clean every weapon in the arsenal at least once a month. I also do this with my hand tools I use everyday. Clean tools work better and know I love them.

I think this is perfect, and by the way, welcome to THR.

I clean after each range session, and sporadically. My wife says I am anal retentive and a gun nut, she may be on to something.

Cleaning the weapon gives you a chance to inspect the weapon for flaws. A crack in the frame, a burr here or there.....

[Fish828]

i usually clean 'em after every trip to the range.

[neededausername]

I voted no, but then again I own a Mark III and I'm intimidated about the first time taking it apart and putting it back together.

[10-Ring]

I clean after every shooting session. Now, I've also learned to wipe down my carry guns on a weekly basis.

[JohnBT]

I voted no. See the other thread for my reasons.

I am much more concerned about cleaning firearms that have gotten wet, dusty, sandy or muddy. This includes handguns, hunting rifles and especially my waterfowl guns. It's not uncommon to get them wet or dirty and never take a shot.

I'm the guy who'll disassemble everybody's shotgun after a rainy morning in the duck boat. And if you let your gun get too muddy I'll hose it off in the marina parking lot before I clean it.

John

[m38shooter]

It depends on the weapon. A buddy of mine has a Taurus that has feed problems unless it's got residues built up in the chamber. No idea why it does it, but he started only cleaning it at the common 1000 round mark and then putting 50 through it right off the bat in case he needs it in middle of the night.

[sm]

No.

-Carry a dirty gun on purpose, for serious use.
-Never show up for serious competition, with a clean gun.

How I was mentored , raised and therefore still practice.

[Guitargod1985]

I don't know what you "should" do. But I can't put a dirty gun in my safe (or holster).


This is how I am. I have a compulsion to make sure my guns are clean before I put them away. The crazy thing is I hate cleaning the damned things. But I feel I must as soon as physically possible.

Also, I do not put a gun back in the case or holster until it has been thoroughly cleaned. This is borne out of experience. A one particular range trip, I put my guns in the case and in one case I didn't clean one of them for a couple days. When I finally got the shotty out to clean it, it was rusted on the barrel. That was the only time I have neglected to clean my guns immediately after shooting, and it was the last time I put a gun in the case after shooting.

I just don't like the idea of powder residue and crap getting all over my gun. Nobody poops on their shower towel, right? Because nobody wants to get dirty after they've just taken the time to clean up. The same thing applies to guns. If you put a dirty gun in its case or holster, you should not use that case or holster for a clean gun. To do so would be counter-productive.

[XavierBreath]

Closed due to spamming of the poll in this thread (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4435168).