joejoeshooter
Member
How often should a 1911 be cleaned? And don't say every time it's shot.
Cleaning a 1911?
- Thread starter joejoeshooter
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Every time it's shot.
Seriously, there is no set number of rounds.
Some ammo is way dirtier then others.
Lead bullet reloads foul the innards with bullet lube quicker then jacketed bullets.
Salt from sweat in the summer gets all over the gun and rusts it.
Dirt & sand gets in the gun and you might need to clean it every 50 rounds
Etc, etc, etc.
When I was in Unkle Sam's U. S. Army, they made us clean them every time we shot them.
And sometimes twice!
rc
Seriously, there is no set number of rounds.
Some ammo is way dirtier then others.
Lead bullet reloads foul the innards with bullet lube quicker then jacketed bullets.
Salt from sweat in the summer gets all over the gun and rusts it.
Dirt & sand gets in the gun and you might need to clean it every 50 rounds
Etc, etc, etc.
When I was in Unkle Sam's U. S. Army, they made us clean them every time we shot them.
And sometimes twice!
rc
j1979
Member
Clean it whenever you want. You obviuosly already know the answer by what you said in your first post. I myself clean mine everytime
geronimo509
Member
if you dont want to clean your gun, buy a glock
If you want a reliable 1911 then you should keep it clean, that means after every time you shoot it you should clean it:banghead:
I like cleaning my firearms so its no big deal to me
If you want a reliable 1911 then you should keep it clean, that means after every time you shoot it you should clean it:banghead:
I like cleaning my firearms so its no big deal to me
Zach S
Member
After about 500 rounds, it doesn't appear to get any worse.
Don't push it and wait too long, unless you have a stainless pistol. After 3 or 4k with just lube, one of mine needed blasted to get cleaned.
I'll normally pull the slide off and do a quick wipe down somewhere between 750 and 1000 rounds, more often on my EDC (due to ammo prices, I don't shoot as much, and it tends to collect lint). They get wiped down once a week, or after they're shot. I also add a few pulls with a boresnake when they see rangetime.
At 2k they get detail stripped, thoroughly cleaned (brake cleaner required), parts inspected, and a new recoil spring installed. FP spring too, since its included.
A recoil spring will last a lot longer than 2k rounds, I just go ahead and change it when I clean it. Its easier to keep up with than every third time I clean it.
I'm not much for cleaning guns. Several folks have told me that something bad will happen if I dont, but it has yet too. I've got a kimber with well over 10K through it that I've cleaned five, mabye six times and its still as tight as it was the day I got it. The lockwork is is the only thing that's really shown any wear, and I cant really see it, but I know its worn, it has a 2.5 lb trigger.
ETA: I should note that I only shoot jacketed ammo....
Don't push it and wait too long, unless you have a stainless pistol. After 3 or 4k with just lube, one of mine needed blasted to get cleaned.
I'll normally pull the slide off and do a quick wipe down somewhere between 750 and 1000 rounds, more often on my EDC (due to ammo prices, I don't shoot as much, and it tends to collect lint). They get wiped down once a week, or after they're shot. I also add a few pulls with a boresnake when they see rangetime.
At 2k they get detail stripped, thoroughly cleaned (brake cleaner required), parts inspected, and a new recoil spring installed. FP spring too, since its included.
A recoil spring will last a lot longer than 2k rounds, I just go ahead and change it when I clean it. Its easier to keep up with than every third time I clean it.
I'm not much for cleaning guns. Several folks have told me that something bad will happen if I dont, but it has yet too. I've got a kimber with well over 10K through it that I've cleaned five, mabye six times and its still as tight as it was the day I got it. The lockwork is is the only thing that's really shown any wear, and I cant really see it, but I know its worn, it has a 2.5 lb trigger.
ETA: I should note that I only shoot jacketed ammo....
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robctwo
Member
I often shoot 400-500 rounds at a session. In the summer I've been known to clean every three trips on mt range guns, but would run a bore snake and spray down good with Essox. I always clean before a match. My defense guns are always clean.
possum
Member
i liet mine go a while without cleanning, here and there, it is not a carry gun or hd so it really dosen't matter how long it goes, i have went over 1k w/o cleanning, but that is rare.
punkndisorderly
Member
I normally shoot about 100 rounds at sitting. Usually, I clean after every range trip. Always clean after trip two.
I've yet to run enough rounds between cleanings to see problems in my Glocks (perhaps 400 rounds), my Ruger MkIII (perhaps 500 rounds), or my Beretta 92 (perhaps 300 rounds). My Springfield 1911 Loaded seems to start having issues if not cleaned after 300 rounds or so. Mostly failures to go into battery or failures to fire. Seems especially so during the summer where I'm going from the 100 degree and 100% humidity Texas summer into an ice cold indoor range and have lots of condensation. Could be that it's just time for a new recoil spring (on it's way now from Midway).
Something a buddy of mine who was a little less anal than me may be in order if you really want to know how long YOU need between cleanings. After buying my H&K USP 45, he proceded to never clean it just to see how long it would take to start having issues. After about 2000 rounds, he gave up and cleaned it. Perhaps you have enough intestinal fortitude to run it dirty until you have a problem. That will answer your question.
I've yet to run enough rounds between cleanings to see problems in my Glocks (perhaps 400 rounds), my Ruger MkIII (perhaps 500 rounds), or my Beretta 92 (perhaps 300 rounds). My Springfield 1911 Loaded seems to start having issues if not cleaned after 300 rounds or so. Mostly failures to go into battery or failures to fire. Seems especially so during the summer where I'm going from the 100 degree and 100% humidity Texas summer into an ice cold indoor range and have lots of condensation. Could be that it's just time for a new recoil spring (on it's way now from Midway).
Something a buddy of mine who was a little less anal than me may be in order if you really want to know how long YOU need between cleanings. After buying my H&K USP 45, he proceded to never clean it just to see how long it would take to start having issues. After about 2000 rounds, he gave up and cleaned it. Perhaps you have enough intestinal fortitude to run it dirty until you have a problem. That will answer your question.
jonnyc
Member
I shoot about 50 per session.
Every time I do a general wipe-down and run a Bore-Snake a few times. Every third session or so I do the full strip and clean.
Every time I do a general wipe-down and run a Bore-Snake a few times. Every third session or so I do the full strip and clean.
franconialocal
Member
Every time you shoot, wether you wanted me to say that or not....
But, no, really....every time you shoot....
But, no, really....every time you shoot....
HZOX221
Member
When it stops working. I have one that has about 65K on the lower without disassembling. The topend gets cleaned about every 5K.
Cleaning is over rated, especially if you are shooting jacket ammo.
Cleaning is over rated, especially if you are shooting jacket ammo.
model of 1905
member
I clean my guns after I shoot them. Every time. Your guns are yours, clean them when you feel the need.
HorseSoldier
Member
If you're relying on it for any kind of serious/real/defensive sort of use, I don't see any reason you wouldn't want to clean it up and inspect it after any range session.
If it's just a range gun, I would think you can let it slide. Maybe just start cleaning it when the gun starts having occasional failures.
If it's just a range gun, I would think you can let it slide. Maybe just start cleaning it when the gun starts having occasional failures.
Ridgerunner665
Member
OK...
1911's should have the rails, bushing/barrel lockups, and lugs cleaned and lubed the after each use...but I will admit that I don't always do it either.
Detail stripped and cleaned...at least twice a year
1911's should have the rails, bushing/barrel lockups, and lugs cleaned and lubed the after each use...but I will admit that I don't always do it either.
Detail stripped and cleaned...at least twice a year
INSULATION TIM
Member
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Some people never change their car's oil. Some people change it when it gets dirty. Wanna guess whose engine lasts longer?
That I believe is the perfect, concise answer. Well spoken.
BTW, I'm an "after every use" guy.
That I believe is the perfect, concise answer. Well spoken.
BTW, I'm an "after every use" guy.
Mad Magyar
Member
With all due respect, you were never in the MILITARY!
MICHAEL T
Member
If its is fired even 1 round .I will clean it. If in safe I give a general wipe down 1 time a month. Carry pistol Every Sunday a wipe down and check over.
I was taught by father and military if you use it clean it. Might be a reason all 10 of my 1911's are relieable and have been since day 1
I was taught by father and military if you use it clean it. Might be a reason all 10 of my 1911's are relieable and have been since day 1
cjw3cma
Member
As someone else stated - There are gun owners and then there are gun shooters.
A gun owner takes his weapon to the range (or other SAFE area) and shoots it, then puts it away until the next time.
A gun shooter makes sure the gun is clean before taking it to the range (or other SAFE area) then shoots it and then cleans it. And just for the heck of it will clean it again (when ever) because it is relaxing and the more you handle the gun the more it becomes a part of you.
A gun owner takes his weapon to the range (or other SAFE area) and shoots it, then puts it away until the next time.
A gun shooter makes sure the gun is clean before taking it to the range (or other SAFE area) then shoots it and then cleans it. And just for the heck of it will clean it again (when ever) because it is relaxing and the more you handle the gun the more it becomes a part of you.
fastbike
Member
What a crock!
"As someone else stated - There are gun owners and then there are gun shooters.
A gun owner takes his weapon to the range (or other SAFE area) and shoots it, then puts it away until the next time.
A gun shooter makes sure the gun is clean before taking it to the range (or other SAFE area) then shoots it and then cleans it. And just for the heck of it will clean it again (when ever) because it is relaxing and the more you handle the gun the more it becomes a part of you."
"As someone else stated - There are gun owners and then there are gun shooters.
A gun owner takes his weapon to the range (or other SAFE area) and shoots it, then puts it away until the next time.
A gun shooter makes sure the gun is clean before taking it to the range (or other SAFE area) then shoots it and then cleans it. And just for the heck of it will clean it again (when ever) because it is relaxing and the more you handle the gun the more it becomes a part of you."
bang_bang
Member
I clean my pistols and rifles religiously. Especially my pistols, due to the fact that those are the first thing I grab when something out of the ordinary happens. SKS is also cleaned after every use, it's another home defense gun if things really get ugly.
.22lr's get a cleaning every so often, not too picky about those. Shotguns rarely get shot, and are cleaned after every use.
Deer rifles are kept clean throughout most of the year. I'll clean before I check zero, dirty up the barrel a bit and leave it for hunting season. Once hunting season is over, a really good cleaning and lubrication is preformed.
.22lr's get a cleaning every so often, not too picky about those. Shotguns rarely get shot, and are cleaned after every use.
Deer rifles are kept clean throughout most of the year. I'll clean before I check zero, dirty up the barrel a bit and leave it for hunting season. Once hunting season is over, a really good cleaning and lubrication is preformed.
why would you not clean it everytime you shoot it?
if you want a gun you don't have to clean as much, i'd also recommend a Glock
if you want a gun you don't have to clean as much, i'd also recommend a Glock
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