A little help please?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MightyP

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2007
Messages
6
I hope this is in the right section?

I need a little help. I’ve been shooting all my life but the guns have always been maintained for me. I’m now an adult out on my own and I have no idea how to care for my firearms. This past weekend the little lady and I went out and picked up 2 new pistols and a shotgun. My question is can anyone point me to a good website on how to properly clean and maintain my new purchases? I’ve read the manuals cover to cover and they’re not much help. Field striping them is no problem but I’m not sure what parts to clean and what parts to oil and I don’t want to ruin anything. I’d appreciate any knowledge you guys can throw my way. If it help I’ve listed what we purchased below.

Glock 17
Bursa .380
Remington Model 870 Express

Thank you,
MP
 
If you want some instructional videos, you can check YouTube. There's quite a few on there. Also, as far as cleaning kits are concerned, Otis makes some great ones, and they come with instructional DVD's on how to clean your guns.

My pistol breaks down into four main pieces: the slide, barrel, recoil spring, and the rest. I clean all surfaces of the slide and spring. Then I run a patch soaked in cleaning solution through the barrel and let it sit for a few minutes. I then run a bore brush through the barrel 10 times or so, and run a patch through it again to clean out the carbon. I repeat this until my patches come out clean. I then lightly clean the main body of the gun, and put grease just on the parts where the slide will meet the frame. Not too much grease. Just a few dots here and there, and when I put the slide back on, it will spread around. That's it.

I've never cleaned a shotgun before, but from what I've heard they're much easier.
 
I just lube the stuff that looks to be an obvious contact point - like rails.

One oddball thing I discovered about the Glock (after I removed it) was that the coppery looking stuff on the underside of the slide can be left there based on this random FAQ I stumbled across:

HOW CRUCIAL IS IT TO LEAVE THE COPPER FACTORY LUBRICATION IN PLACE?

Glock applies the copper lubricant known as "Fel-Pro", which is an automotive anti-seize compound, to the rear underside area of the slide of all new Glocks. Word is that new Glocks should be "broken in" (200-500 rds) with this copper lubricant.

Certified Glock Armorers are told that it is permissible to remove the copper lubricant on new Glocks. However, if you do decide to remove the copper lubricant, it is advisable to clean your handgun thoroughly then lubricate it before shooting it (3 drops where indicated) with a quality product intended for firearms.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the help, I'm going to go look for one of those Otis kits this weekend. I need a good kit and if they come w/ DVDs that great too. Thanks for the help!
 
The Otis kit is great. That will really help, but it won't tell you specifically how to break down and reassemble your Glock. YouTube will have tons of videas that will, though.
 
make absolutely sure that the thing is unloaded before attempting to take it apart!!!!!!!

make absolutely sure that the thing is unloaded before attempting to take it apart!!!!!!!

(it was worth saying twice).
 
When taking apart the Bersa make sure you have a very firm grip on the slide and just ease it off or it can go flying across the room.


Whaat? No I didn't do that, well a little, ok,ok, I DID!!! LOL.
 
don't worry arkie, dad and his buddy kept a spare box of 1911A1 recoil spring guidance rods on hand after shooting one to many across the room.
 
First, you should get to know the proper names of the parts. The manual can go a long way here, but you'd do well to find a good website or two that corroborate each other. For example, the semi-auto handguns you have each contain several of the same class of part (and, notwithstanding bluestarlizzard's comment above, neither should contain a "guidance rod" :neener:).

Knowing the proper name will save you having to take pictures and learning to post them on four or five different message board versions to describe what you're wondering about. Field-strip level (slide, frame, stocks, barrel, take-down lever, recoil spring, guide rod, magazine well, magazine (not clip!), hammer, etc.) is sufficient for your guns for now - you can learn more later if you need it (sear, mainspring, firing pin, extractor, ejector, etc.).

Then, once you know the parts, get to know how they work together. There are several nice "cut-away" animations out there that show you how the parts interact when firing. It's a good thing to know, because you will discover that places you were oiling don't really need any, and vice-versa.

Beyond all the cleaning, you should stock up on some parts that may need replacement (recoil springs, for example, need changing sooner or later, and depending on the gun much sooner - my 4" Kimber needs a new spring about every thousand rounds, where the 5" Kimber doesn't care up to about 3,500 rounds).

As you get used to cleaning your guns, you might decide to stretch the length of time in between cleanings, to gauge possible failures due to lack of cleaning - my AR can go for thousands of rounds with only lubrication (no real cleaning), but my precision bolt actions like to be cleaned each time out to maintain smooth bolt movement, feeding and extraction.

Like anything else, your guns will be different than everyone else's (except the GLOCK - that's exactly like every other model - so says GLOCK ;)) When you first start doing this, do it each time to make it habitual, and do the SAME thing each time, to cut down on missing steps. Later, you can back off, and still get a good smooth action.

Good luck.
 
Glocktalk.com as the url says specializes in all things glock. Lots of info and how to's. TJ

Just looked at corneredcat.com very good description and directions about your Glock.
 
How I clean my guns


I just give them to my wife....she runs them through the dishwasher. sorry could not help myself.
Click to expand...

Actually, I have heard many reports of people who actually do this. It purportedly works pretty well.
 
Thanks for all the help. This is a hobby I really want to get into. I've always loved to shoot but since my grandfather passed I haven't had anyone to teach me the correct way to maintain the guns. My fiance and I had a blast when we went shooting the other day so I see this as a great future hobby for the both of us, I just want to do it right!

Thank you
MP
 
well, if he wants to get into guns, specifically semi autos, at some point in time he will have a 1911(who doesn't eventually get a 1911, its classic!) and he will shoot a 'recoil spring guide rod' across a room!
 
I used to clean my Glock by dipping the metal parts in a pot of boiling water!

That was until I got married; now I'm not allowed near kitchen wares...
 
i take the glocks slide and barrel outside, and house them down with gun scrubber. dad accused me of trying to clean the finish off!:eek: but darn it! when i clean a gun, I CLEAN THE DARN GUN!:D
 
bluestarlizzard - I think you mean the recoil spring itself, right? The rod is a little tougher to get to fly (though it is possible). Oh, and yes, I've hurled quite a few of the springs across the living room. And bedroom. And garage... you get the idea.
 
No, I know they can both go flying. Just that in my experience it's the spring, not the rod that has a better chance is all. I learn new things all the time. :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
How Have you Built Shooting Skills?
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
Casefull
Casefull
D
  • Locked
What's in your Range Bag
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
Punkermonkey
P
G
  • Locked
Compiling gun related quotes, asking for your help.
Replies
20
Views
797
Ieyasu
I
D
  • Locked
Military qualification terminology
Replies
23
Views
2K
Al Thompson
A
Jdague12
  • Locked
Is copper fouling real?
2 3
Replies
61
Views
2K
Slamfire
Slamfire
Back
Top