grumpy66
Member
Hand guns are spotless.
Rifles get about ten rounds through them before a match or hunting.
Rifles get about ten rounds through them before a match or hunting.
clean weapon vs fired
- Thread starter Redlg155
- Start date
- Status
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,712
As I think has been well-established, there is a big difference between a rifle expected to hit MOA and a pistol expected to perform reliably.
mljdeckard
Member
My carry gun, I clean every couple of hundred rounds. I don't remember if it has ever had a malfunction. Some guns are made to run rough and dirty, like my SKS. Some need to be cared for meticulously to ensure the level of performance you bought them for in the first place. Like my Rem 700 VS-SF. It makes little sense to spend more for an extra accurate rifle and then leave it dirty. With that one I use a bore guide and a specific process. But for most of the old beat-up rifles I inherited from my dad, I run a boresnake through it a couple of times, hose out the action with gunscrubber, let it dry, and lube the moving parts.
I will admit I bite it off a little when I hear the guys who practice with their carry gun, clean it, and then shoot a magazine through it to make sure it still works. If you are going to shoot it again, why clean it? If you don't trust it to run after cleaning it, is it really a good carry gun? Just sayin'.
I will admit I bite it off a little when I hear the guys who practice with their carry gun, clean it, and then shoot a magazine through it to make sure it still works. If you are going to shoot it again, why clean it? If you don't trust it to run after cleaning it, is it really a good carry gun? Just sayin'.
Zach S
Member
About the only time I clean anything is when the outside world ends up inside my firearm. If its something I'm dropping off at the gunsmith, I'll clean it then as well, so he doesn't have to work on a nasty gun (I hose off the undercarriage and engine bay of my cars for the same reason).
I would be singing a different tune if I shot corrosive surplus ammo.
I would be singing a different tune if I shot corrosive surplus ammo.
Averageman
Member
My issue weapons were cleaned with hot soapy water once I wised up. More Military weapons are ruined by over cleaning and steel cleaning rods than by the bullets passing through them.
I clean my glock and my AK each time I fire it, with a simple boresnake and wipe down if it needs more than that, I havent seen it often; detail cleaning and a complete armorer level tear down about twice a year.
My .22's are boresnake and wiped and I have yet to have an issue.
I clean my glock and my AK each time I fire it, with a simple boresnake and wipe down if it needs more than that, I havent seen it often; detail cleaning and a complete armorer level tear down about twice a year.
My .22's are boresnake and wiped and I have yet to have an issue.
mljdeckard
Member
It's not necessarily that you are doing anything wrong. Just realize that when you are really looking for the most in accuracy, there is a difference between a clean, cold bore shot and a shot from a fouled barrel. If you fire one shot to foul the barrel, the next shots that follow will be much more predictable, and repeatable. For ME, if I am benching a rifle to truly see accuracy, it's a distinction that is visible, but not something I would worry about for most hunting.
EvilGenius
Member
The only rifles I have are .22, I don't remember the last time I cleaned them. But I also don't shoot them as often as I should.
My 1911 on the other hand gets cleaned after every firing, whether it's one bullet or 10 mags. I also lube it liberally, but that's only because it's still on the tail end of the break in period and also why I clean it so often. I can probably cut way back on that now without any issue.
The issue I have with a fouling shot is that it exposes the inside of the action and mag area to all the gasses and whatnot that come out of the cartridge when fired. The initial exposure isn't a big deal, it's exposing the internals to all that and then just leaving it there. I know the likely hood of the debris or possible future rust jamming the pistol isn't super likely, but if a simple cleaning will prevent that then I consider it cheap insurance that gives me an advantage. As we all know, any possible advantage you can have for a potential self defense situation is one worth having. It may not be as predictable or accurate as a fouled bore shot, but I'm not gonna be trying to hit anyone at 100yds either.
My 1911 on the other hand gets cleaned after every firing, whether it's one bullet or 10 mags. I also lube it liberally, but that's only because it's still on the tail end of the break in period and also why I clean it so often. I can probably cut way back on that now without any issue.
The issue I have with a fouling shot is that it exposes the inside of the action and mag area to all the gasses and whatnot that come out of the cartridge when fired. The initial exposure isn't a big deal, it's exposing the internals to all that and then just leaving it there. I know the likely hood of the debris or possible future rust jamming the pistol isn't super likely, but if a simple cleaning will prevent that then I consider it cheap insurance that gives me an advantage. As we all know, any possible advantage you can have for a potential self defense situation is one worth having. It may not be as predictable or accurate as a fouled bore shot, but I'm not gonna be trying to hit anyone at 100yds either.
test drive
Member
me too. however on my cary guns i will test fire a round or two just to make sure function is correct.
Handguns, no.
Handguns are used within spitting distances. Even when I start out shooting a clean handgun at 25 yards, I cannot hold hard enough to tell the difference between impacts from a clean bore and a dirty bore.
I put a Ed Brown solid bushing in my Series 80 Colt, took it to the range, and first shot out of an oiled bore hit dead center at 25 yards.
This was such a remarkable accident, considering no sight adjustments from the old bushing, and it was the first shot, that I took a picture. Subsequent shots were not nearly so well placed and I did not take any pictures of them.
One shot groups make for the best bragging.
For a rifle, you have to take into consideration the distance and how well worn your barrel, and did you clean all the carbon and copper fouling from the thing.
The last M1a barrel on my Super Match, it was rocking around 4500 rounds and I JB bore pasted the thing and used Sweets to remove all fouling.
Point of impact radically changed for the first five or so rounds, I was clicking big MOA until the thing settled down and shot to the old zero.
Installed a new 308 Kreiger barrel on one target bolt rifle. Not a lot of rounds through the thing. First couple of shots with a clean barrel at 600 yards were exactly where I finished an across the course match a week or two before.
So it all depends. Mostly depends on how well you know your firearm.
Handguns are used within spitting distances. Even when I start out shooting a clean handgun at 25 yards, I cannot hold hard enough to tell the difference between impacts from a clean bore and a dirty bore.
I put a Ed Brown solid bushing in my Series 80 Colt, took it to the range, and first shot out of an oiled bore hit dead center at 25 yards.
This was such a remarkable accident, considering no sight adjustments from the old bushing, and it was the first shot, that I took a picture. Subsequent shots were not nearly so well placed and I did not take any pictures of them.
One shot groups make for the best bragging.
For a rifle, you have to take into consideration the distance and how well worn your barrel, and did you clean all the carbon and copper fouling from the thing.
The last M1a barrel on my Super Match, it was rocking around 4500 rounds and I JB bore pasted the thing and used Sweets to remove all fouling.
Point of impact radically changed for the first five or so rounds, I was clicking big MOA until the thing settled down and shot to the old zero.
Installed a new 308 Kreiger barrel on one target bolt rifle. Not a lot of rounds through the thing. First couple of shots with a clean barrel at 600 yards were exactly where I finished an across the course match a week or two before.
So it all depends. Mostly depends on how well you know your firearm.
BSA1
member
I clean my guns once a year whether they need it or not. More guns are damaged by improper cleaning and disassembly/assembly than from the effects off being dirty. I keep them wiped down to avoid surface rust and shoot them with good quality reloads.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Depends on a few things. Provided not having a rusting problem due to humidity, water, sweat, or corrosive ammo.
Since my handguns are lubed well enough for a few hundred rounds minimum before going dry, I'll let 'em stay "dirty" if only a box of ammo was sent down the pipe.
Having a brief exposure with cap and ball revolvers showed me what truly dirty is.
Since my handguns are lubed well enough for a few hundred rounds minimum before going dry, I'll let 'em stay "dirty" if only a box of ammo was sent down the pipe.
Having a brief exposure with cap and ball revolvers showed me what truly dirty is.
wanderinwalker
Member
Normally clean. Not manic, compulsive, obsessive, but cleaned.
Something like my Glock pistols, I know will function way beyond my tolerance for letting it get dirty. Which is saying something, because I once ran the 17 an entire summer and only cleaned it because I didn't want to touch it anymore.
My AR-15 service rifle? Depends on my mood and the "importance" of the next match. The early season offhand and rapid fire matches and practice sessions, I'll run it, spray some more CLP on the carrier and keep running it. Normally I try to clean it every couple of hundred rounds, and JB once a season. The last matches I shot this year were the NH State Championship followed by an EIC match the next day. I JB-ed the rifle on Saturday night and went and shot a 490 on Sunday. The rifle went right to zero and stayed there, as expected. (And FWIW, that 490 was good for 3rd place that day.
)
Oh, and my revolvers get cleaned a bit more often than the autoloaders, mostly because I dislike getting my hands covered in grey soot when handling them after a range trip.
Something like my Glock pistols, I know will function way beyond my tolerance for letting it get dirty. Which is saying something, because I once ran the 17 an entire summer and only cleaned it because I didn't want to touch it anymore.
My AR-15 service rifle? Depends on my mood and the "importance" of the next match. The early season offhand and rapid fire matches and practice sessions, I'll run it, spray some more CLP on the carrier and keep running it. Normally I try to clean it every couple of hundred rounds, and JB once a season. The last matches I shot this year were the NH State Championship followed by an EIC match the next day. I JB-ed the rifle on Saturday night and went and shot a 490 on Sunday. The rifle went right to zero and stayed there, as expected. (And FWIW, that 490 was good for 3rd place that day.
)Oh, and my revolvers get cleaned a bit more often than the autoloaders, mostly because I dislike getting my hands covered in grey soot when handling them after a range trip.
hey_poolboy
Member
I clean my handguns every couple hundred rounds. Like has already been said, the distances are near enough and I can't hold steady enough to tell impact difference on a handgun.
Rifles, on the other hand, only get cleaned when hunting season is over. I generally tweak my load(s) and make sure the rifle is good and clean. Head to the farm to test loads, clean, then fire two or three fouling rounds. When Wile E. Coyote is at 300yards I don't want to send the first shot down a clean bore. I want to know exactly where it'll land.
Rifles, on the other hand, only get cleaned when hunting season is over. I generally tweak my load(s) and make sure the rifle is good and clean. Head to the farm to test loads, clean, then fire two or three fouling rounds. When Wile E. Coyote is at 300yards I don't want to send the first shot down a clean bore. I want to know exactly where it'll land.
Ogre One
Member
Speaking from the mechanic stand point, there are times when "seeing" the mess helps with a diagnoses.
Being technically new to the fine art of guns and the "clean vs. no-clean" debate, I thank each and all for their input. I guess I will have to experiment on my own to see what will work best for me and mine.
Last edited:
Ogre One
Member
How much detail?
When cleaning, how far in-depth (disassembly wise) is recommended for a pistol? How about a revolver?
When cleaning, how far in-depth (disassembly wise) is recommended for a pistol? How about a revolver?
sixgunner455
Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,052
I maintain my weapons, but I do NOT trust my rifle to shoot to the same POI if it has been cleaned, so no, I do not trust it if it is clean for that shot that I MUST make.
Handguns, I clean when they are dirty. Usually, that means really dirty. If I am shooting lead handloads through my sixguns, they get cleaned when I'm done - especially the .357, because I'd like to be able to use .357 brass in them again after a hundred or two hundred .38 lead loads.
Hiking around in the rain with my deer rifle on Friday. When I got back to camp, it got a complete wipe-down with an oily rag. Checked the bore, but NOTHING goes down that bore if I can't shoot it after.
Handguns, I clean when they are dirty. Usually, that means really dirty. If I am shooting lead handloads through my sixguns, they get cleaned when I'm done - especially the .357, because I'd like to be able to use .357 brass in them again after a hundred or two hundred .38 lead loads.
Hiking around in the rain with my deer rifle on Friday. When I got back to camp, it got a complete wipe-down with an oily rag. Checked the bore, but NOTHING goes down that bore if I can't shoot it after.
- Status
