[N3rday]

Say I buy a gun...what all is required to clean it? I hear alot about break free CLP and FP-whatever. What parts do you have to clean when you clean a gun, and how much cleaner/lube/protectant/whatever should you use?

[WonderNine]

Just buy a gun cleaning kit and a brush for whatever caliber you use.

[GigaBuist]

As has already been said, just grab a kit. It'll contain:

- solvent (for removing carbon buildup)
- lubricating oil (for them friction areas)
- patch cloths (for swabbing our the barrel... or rubbing clean anything else)
- rod (for attaching cloths to)

Aside from that, grab some cotton swabs (Q-tips) for getting in them hard to reach areas.

A brush and/or mop for your caliber is nice to have too for getting barrels clean that are -really- dirty without going through 20 extra patch cloths.

Rem Oil isn't a bad idea either. It's a teflon lubricating spray. I'll put down a light coat of this stuff on my slide, let it dry a bit, rub the excesss off, then maybe a little lubricating oil.

This is in the auto-loader pistol section, but if you buy an AR-15 pipe cleaners come in handy too.

A small tooth brush has been handy from time to time.

A retired marine told me once that carburator cleaner works well if the thing is -REALLY- dirty. Just remember to get that crap off your gun, clean it properly, and oil it back up when you're done. I don't know if I'd ever try it.

A feller that was in Singapore's army said that when they were in Taiwan they'd just dump their entire M16 into a tub of something that seemed like kerosene -- handguards and all. Again, I wouldn't try it... and they didn't do it with their own firearms either.

Oh, and toss a rag/t-shirt into your shooting bag so you can rub the outside carbon buildup off your firearms before you put them in the case. No point in putting a dirty firearm in there... it'll just get that crap back on it when you pull it back out.

That should have you covered for pretty much any situation I can think of. Hope this helps.

[Peetmoss]

As WonderNine said just buy a cleaning kit and the correct caliber brush and some patches. Then follow your owners manual for cleaning instructions and lube points.

If you buy a used gun and it doesn't come with a manual just call or write the manufature and they will send you one.

[No4Mk1]

Lots of good suggestions already! As already mentioned, the owner's manual will give you good information on proper field stripping and cleaning. I would also ask if the store you are buying from is willing to teach you this before you leave the store with your new purchase. Most good stores will. Also, a lot of ranges offer detail cleaning as a service and if you pay them to clean your gun they will let you watch how they do it. That is usually also helpful.

Best of luck!

Edited to add... You could also join the military, they will be happy to teach you! :evil:

[P95Carry]

No shortage of useful suggestions already ......... may I suggest tho you also try a search .. use keywords like ''gun cleaning'' .... etc .... there is already a mountain of post info on this .... give it a try.

[Scarface]

Dear N3Rday,
This must be cleaning time.

I recommend Militec-1 for all firearms. It bonds with the metal and tends to make dirt not adhere to the piece. It makes cleaning very easy and makes autoloaders run like a sewing machine. It also offers corrosion protection. Militec offers free samples if you contact them at http://www.militec-1.com.

Nice people!

Be well,

Scarface

[scottsw1]

I totaly break down all my pistols after each shooting session and use #9 in the barrel and then coat the entire pistol with CLP. I never know how long it will be before shooting session and that is why I clean the way I do.

[tbeb]

Go to this web site: http://geocities.com/kemays/pistolclean.html

At the bottom of the page you can choose semi-automatic pistol or revolver.