Cleaning question

[lildragon611]

Good Afternoon. Its me again.. I have a question. My step dad has been shooting competitively for years and I asked him should I clean my weapons everytime I shoot them, his response was I clean mine once a year do whatever you want... lol... He shoots 1000 of rounds I would say yearly.

I am anal what it comes to my things. I read posts where people clean everytime they shoot. Is that overkill for a weapon? Any thoughts is appreciated.

Thanks again

God bless

 

[Shienhausser]

Considering I shoot a lot of rounds on average when I go (sometimes 400), Yes I clean every time.

 

[gpr]

clean every time.....and some times in between....gary

 

[jacksgd]

I like a clean firearm.

I believe the issue of cleaning as related to firearms is like most everything else in shooting and that is to be consistant.

 

[gathert]

We probably clean our guns way too much, but it doesnt hurt anything. Going to the range and putting even 300 rounds out of a handgun wont affect it that much unless its a .22 maybe which get quite dirty. If you like clean guns, go for it, but its not vitally important to clean every time. In fact, some people in the military and elsewhere will fire then gun once after a cleaning to make sure it still functions and everything is in place and working properly.

 

[joeq]

I enjoy cleaning my guns so I do it after every shooting session. I don't like putting a bunch of dirty guns back into the safe.

 

[Bovice]

It depends what kind of "weapon" you're talking about

 

[orionengnr]

I try to never let the sun go down on a dirty weapon.

 

[Walkalong]

Not every time, just when I think they need it, or I think accuracy has fallen off.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I clean rimfire handguns when they start to malfunction.

My 1911 gets field stripped and cleaned maybe once a year.

My 17HMR will start to open up groups at about 500 rounds. That's when it gets cleaned.

My shotgun gets the chambers cleaned and oiled after each use, or they will rust.

Other than that, I'd rather shoot than clean, so a quick wipe down with an oily rag after a range session is sufficient.

 

[hey_poolboy]

Depends on the gun. If it's a rifle I clean it before I check my zero for hunting season, then it never gets cleaned until season is over. I like a fouled barrel. Clean barrels lead to fliers or misses, but I don't do a LOT of shooting during hunting season. If I'm out target practicing I'll clean it after a couple range sessions.

Handguns, I usually clean my 45's every 3-400 rounds. Sometimes I don't. Right now my springer hasn't been cleaned for probably 500ish rounds, but I just cleaned a RIA after only 300. It's also new and only has 400 total through it.

 

[Sky]

If the weapon is shot on a regular basis I have seen rental guns that have not been cleaned in over 2 years; these guns have at least a 1000 rounds a week through them. The only care they receive is a couple of shots of Breakfree CLP maybe (if lucky) once or twice a week.

Personal opinion with absolutely nothing to back it up is.....If you are going to shoot and store; clean and wipe down before storing. If the gun is handled on a regular basis ( every week at least ) clean when you feel like it based on the type of fire arm and ammo (corrosive verses non-corrosive) you are using. I shoot and clean because when hunting, a certain weapon, may only be used for a particular hunt and then not used for an extended time. Another weapon is used on the next hunt. I see nothing wrong with a quick bore snake and a couple of shot of lube after shooting even if the weapon will be used the next day. Is it necessary, no; but it makes me feel better.

 

[klutchless]

I clean my carry gun every day when I get home from work.It gets covered in nasty stuff like oil,grease, cow spit, hay dust,ect.Its not really nessasary but I want to keep my guns at least until i'm dead so I like to take care of them. Plus cow spit stinks.

 

[Sav .250]

Different strokes for different folks....... I shoot it, I clean it!

 

[loadedround]

I clean my firearms every time I shoot them with the exception of my two trap shotguns. Those I wipe out the bores with a soft cleaning rod and wipe them off with a silcone cloth. They do get a good cleaning at least once a month however.

 

[Ramrod17]

I have a shotgun I shoot trap with about once every 2 weeks. I shoot 100 rounds each session. When I get home the first thing I do is clean the gun, breaking it down, taking the main pieces apart and giving them a once over and put it back together. Overkill? I don't think so, its just part of shooting for me, I have almost as much fun cleaning as I do shooting. Plus I have gotten to know my Rem 870 real good and how it all works. Just my $0.02