Gun Cleaning....love it or hate it?

Armored farmer said:

You might make an excellent trapshooter.

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I was when I was in my 20s and had better vision but these days I would say I’m only average.

I don't enjoy cleaning them EXCEPT for when I buy a new or new-to-me gun. In that case, I kind of enjoy going through it, checking everything out, getting it spotless and making sure everything is as it should be.

I usually don't "clean" the bore after shooting until it needs it. But after getting a borescope I can't NOT push an oiled patch through 22 LR bores after shooting them (there's so much power residue in there I just don't like leaving it). I never so much as handle a blued steel gun without wiping it down afterwards. No rust for 5+ decades. <knocks on wood> Even coated and stainless guns are likely to get a wipe-down, but not every single time. I also wash and dry my hands before handling guns, to get any salt off.

I'm ok with semi auto pistols and probably enjoy doing it to some extent. revolvers not so much. bolt action is ok. ar not as much and m1a not as much. i never detail clean just field strip. but it is sort of relaxing when you are just taking your time.

i can't imagine cleaning inside the house with the fumes from hoppes or even break free clp or flicking off some leading inside the house.

Bazoo said:

I have a small gun and reloading room. Only 6’ square or so. Right now I’m using one bench for everything. But I’m going to rearrange it and build two benches, opposite of each other. One for reloading and one for cleaning and gunsmithing things. Should be just enough room. Shelves over each of course.

I keep all my cleaning stuff in an MTM shooting range box. I keep a small kit in a outers plastic box for a grab and go outside kinda thing. I clean outside a fair amount. It’s pleasant.

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Why are you in a closet, I thought we grow out if that after 35-ish. I had a reloading coat closet too! NOW! furnaces room

Airedale1 said:

I've never viewed it as a chore. What are your thoughts on it?

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Depends.

When I field strip my Garand, I put on a WWII era music play list and just immerse myself in the 1940s. So, yeah, that's good.

My hunting rifle, no thanks. Ever since I switched to Barnes copper solids, it just seems like the gun is never ever clean. There is always blue residue on the cloth, indicating there is still copper in the bore. I could (and have) clean it for hours to no avail.

Everything else is not too bad.

Like most other soldiers that were in combat units and shot a lot, especially full auto, I learnt to dislike cleaning guns. Nowadays I wipe my guns down but only field strip and clean when really necessary or on guns that are sold.

I enjoy it when im not tired and rushing, which these days is rare.

Mark_Mark said:

Why are you in a closet, I thought we grow out if that after 35-ish. I had a reloading coat closet too! NOW! furnaces room

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Well, it’s what I got, and I guess all I need. I had just an “area”, but after having a baby, decided to close off my gun area into a small room to keep the lead residue contained.

Bazoo said:

Well, it’s what I got, and I guess all I need. I had just an “area”, but after having a baby, decided to close off my gun area into a small room to keep the lead residue contained.

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same! I’m super cautious about getting lead anywhere the kids are.

I love it. I keep a rag soaked in Hoppes #9 under my pillow.

Scrod314 said:

I love it. I keep a rag soaked in Hoppes #9 under my pillow.

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That’s how I explain the yellow stains to my wife too...

Mark_Mark said:

same! I’m super cautious about getting lead anywhere the kids are.

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I used to shoot every day. Now not so much, just a few times a month. It’s often not convenient to have to shower as soon as I get done.

Gun Cleaning....love it or hate it?
Neither. It's just a bit of work like changing the oil or washing the car. It has to be done so you do it.

If I do a session, usually outdoors, where I want to bring several weapons with me, then I dread it. Time consuming. And if it's a rifle that won't be fired again for a while, I'm not going to do a half-a** job on it.

Just a single pistol at the local indoor range to keep up my abilities? It's not so bad, but I'm still not a fan.

Time spent with my firearms is quality time.

Nicky Santoro said:

Gun Cleaning....love it or hate it?
Neither. It's just a bit of work like changing the oil or washing the car. It has to be done so you do it.

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I don’t think I’ve ever washed my van in the 5 years I’ve had it. A car is just a way to and from the store for me.

Used to like it especially any new gun that I bought. Stripping right down and putting back together. However at my age these days not so much.

I would clean everyones Guns if Primers just come back at normal prices!

I enjoy it on my time and my terms, like breaking a few guns out on a lazy Sunday with some music on. On the other hand, I hate rushed water flushing after shooting blackpowder or corrosive primers the moment I get home.

Personally I really like cleaning my firearms. Get to sit in my home office, music playing through the speaker, and little interruption to just sit down and clean some firearms. Or holsters. Or something else in there.

Now in the Army. They could ruin even the most enjoyable tasks, like weapon maintenance. Didn't enjoy it so much then. Because where I would be done at hour 2, it continued until hour 8 or 9. Only so many ways you can scrub a bolt before just looking like you are busy until released for the day.

Another task I used to like doing but have come to hate is sharpening knives. Anymore now, I'd rather buy a cheap new one than spend an hour or so getting an edge back on an old "good" one.

Old Dog said:

I enjoy cleaning guns (unless I've taken say, several ARs to the range that day). Handguns are easy. Get out some TV trays, put in my Blu-Ray discs of seasons 1 and 2 of Miami Vice or my complete Dirty Harry collection, open some windows and turn on the fans... wife'll still come home from work, sniff once, and say, "You been cleaning guns in the family room again?"

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Guessing you use Ballistol?

I don't mind cleaning my firearms when I have time. I don't always clean them right after a range visit anymore like I used to....at least most of them. Some go several hundred rounds without cleaning.

My blue and wood guns get much more TLC than my evil black blasters.

My Glock's can get pretty cruddy by the time I clean them (excluding my carry guns which are cleaned every shoot). My latest method of cleaning my Glock lowers is just to spray it down good with Ballistol, let it sit 10-15 minutes, then plunge good it in a bucket of water with some Dawn soap. Then plunge good in a bucket of clean water. Then, set it in front of a fan overnight or set it in afternoon TX sun if it's a warm day with some breeze (which is most of the year...)

Some oil in a few key spots and put it back together.

I came back from a good day trap shooting and sprayed Ballistol in both barrels of my Huglu Trap Deluxe o/u and let it sit for a few minutes. A couple of patches on a bore brush and I'm done. I left it out because I'll probably go back after dinner and run an oily rag through the slots on the ventilated rib. Every one.