I am talking about shooting 100 rounds of non-corrosive ammo, then clean/oil barrel only, repeat those range visits and barrel cleaning only every few months and then detail clean and oil entire gun once a year. Is that ok? That will change my current routine of cleaning everything after every visit even it was only 50 rounds per gun. I have a friend that detail cleans once a year and said he has no issues or rust so far. I used to enjoy gun cleaning when I started the hobby and back then it was even relaxing , now I find it a hassle …
Cleaning only a gun barrel between range visits
- Thread starter dekibg
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brewer12345
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What kind of gun? Some are more finicky than others. ARs I shoot until they either start having issues with function, start losing accuracy, or I drop them in the snow/dirt.
Bazoo
Member
Cleaning the bore is about useless unless it’s fouled badly or a precision gun that needs it. There isn’t nothing wrong with just an oily patch down the bore, wipe what soot you can reach in the action with an oily rag, and use a clean rag for wiping the finger prints off the outside.
I do that sometimes and sometimes just wipe off the fingerprints. I do a deep clean about every year or two depending what I use the gun for.
I do that sometimes and sometimes just wipe off the fingerprints. I do a deep clean about every year or two depending what I use the gun for.
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Skeptic13
Member
The answer to your question is maybe. It depends on what type of gun you are shooting and what type of environment you live in and possibly what your tolerance is for a dirty gun. I like to clean the bolt and bolt carrier on my simi auto guns every couple of months as well as cleaning the bore. Is it necessary that often? Probably not since I live in a dry climate but I think that cleans guns function better and last longer.
AR, AK , and a 357 revolver - I live in NE Ohio, so it is continental climate
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Living in the Cleveland burbs myself.
Depends on the gun and the conditions I shoot it under. Bolt action rifles for example. I may shoot 100 rounds of 223 or 308 on the range. Before I pack out I'll wet the barrels and drive an hour home then finish the barrels. The entire rifle gets a good cleaning annually. Now if I get hit with rain and using a wood stock then the rifle gets cleaned as to not leave water in my barrel channel. Rifles like an AR type? Normally I use a spray to remove soot and crud from the action and trigger parts. So really it all depends on gun and conditions. I want summer and I want it now!
Ron
Archie
Member
Skeptic13 has it rifle. I will of course be a little more wordy.
An AR 15 needs more than a H&R single shot break open shotgun. Each type of arm has it's own problems in this area.
A double action revolver of any sort can get powder fouling (and dust and debris) in the cylinder 'works' to the point where the cylinder doesn't turn or even close when loaded.
Any rifle of any action type needs the chamber clean enough to chamber a round. (Pretty rare when it won't, but that chambering function HAS to happen.)
Any thing blued - and most other coatings to some extent - need some consideration to keep them 'new' looking.
I'm sure all the readers here can understand this and figure out their own requirements.
An AR 15 needs more than a H&R single shot break open shotgun. Each type of arm has it's own problems in this area.
A double action revolver of any sort can get powder fouling (and dust and debris) in the cylinder 'works' to the point where the cylinder doesn't turn or even close when loaded.
Any rifle of any action type needs the chamber clean enough to chamber a round. (Pretty rare when it won't, but that chambering function HAS to happen.)
Any thing blued - and most other coatings to some extent - need some consideration to keep them 'new' looking.
I'm sure all the readers here can understand this and figure out their own requirements.
GBExpat
Member
Sure.
JFrank
Member
Clean whenever you want, know one will know or care unless you talk about it.
GBExpat
Member
<chuckle>
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dekibg, I have "dirty" firearms downstairs that have not been cleaned in at least a decade. Before I put them in the rack or gunsafe I simply wipedown the outside with my "wipedown rag". No corrosion. No problem.
If I kept them in the garage or my vehicle or a shed, I would have to treat them more carefully ... but they "live" in my (mostly) climate-controlled house.
FWIW.
Jim Watson
Member
The gun I am shooting the most these days gets weekly oil and a cleanup of the feed ramp and chamber.
Every once in a while I will get disgusted with its appearance and strip it down to clean.
Every once in a while I will get disgusted with its appearance and strip it down to clean.
wesmonster
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With good commercial (non-corrosive) ammo, I do not clean the barrel after every trip. I will clean or scrub the chamber, bolt face, extractor, ejector, or at least wipe em down with a CLP.
IMHO if you’re worried about rust, worry about how you store your firearms and what the humidity is.
I DO give the outside a quick wipe to get oils from my hands off.
IMHO if you’re worried about rust, worry about how you store your firearms and what the humidity is.
I DO give the outside a quick wipe to get oils from my hands off.
wiscoaster
Member
Detail clean once a year sounds about right to me. Just run a patch through the bore a couple times with some Hoppe's, maybe Q-tip the ramp and extractor, every other range trip or whenever you have time, and you'll be good to go forever. Don't get too hung up on cleaning, unless it's something you really enjoy doing (like me, weirdo that I am).
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