Do we overclean nowadays?

[Zeke Menuar]

Overclean? Let's run down the list.
M686 revolver, not very often. I don't worry about stainless steel guns. I usually clean it when I get around to it or when I can no longer tell the gun is made of stainless.
LW Commander. Usually clean the barrel after every extended shooting session. If I run a mag or two through it I don't worry about it. Pop the slide and check for rust every three or four days though. Detail strip and clean every six months whether it needs it or not.
M700 Tupperware Special. Clean every 10-20 rounds. Barrel has been given the extended JB's treatment. The copper racing stripes don't build up much. I started using Wipeout to clean with good results. I hate scrubbing.
Mossberg 500. Pull the barrel and run some Hoppes through it once in a while. I mean it's a MOSSBERG!!! its not supposed to need cleaning right?
M1897 Winchester. I keep it spotless. It's almost 100 years old and I give it the TLC and respect it deserves.

So I guess I don't overclean. I hate cleaning guns. PITA part of this hobby but sometimes necessary.

ZM

 

[Roadkill Coyote]

Another Deputy once said to me, "Jesus, you getting that thing ready for the prom?". To which I replied, "well, trick is, you never know when the prom is gonna be, or whose gonna be your date, do ya?".

Which I though summed up the whole issue nicely...

 

[RustyHammer]

I thoroughly clean them after each range session and
touch them up every few weeks (big chore) of safe life
with some CLP, etc. (I have tended to rotate guns every range session or two lately.)

Well, that's all of them EXCEPT for my "shooter" SAR-1 --
I consider it an experiment. I don't do much more than
run a patch down it to make sure it doesn't have anything
stuck in the barrel prior to shooting it. (It just seems happier
that way.)

So far, over 1000 rounds without a burp!

/Rusty

 

[Hkmp5sd]

It's like sex, no matter how often you do it, you ain't gonna wear it out.

For me, cleaning is just another part of the hobby to enjoy. Like reloading, customizing (limited to skill level), shooting and accessorizing, stripping a gun down to its smallest parts and putting it all back together can be a fun and inexpensive pasttime.

 

[manwithoutahome]

cdbeaver, change underwear every day... wow, you are a clean freak, all you have to do is turn them inside out and they are good for another full day .

I don't know but I just can't stand the thought of having a dirty gun in the safe.... I worry about rust and stuff too much.

M

 

[Mil Novecientos Once]

I think that most people are overcleaning their guns. I know some people that clean their handguns after a box of ammo or two. When I got into handguns I overcleaned the guns, giving lots of time and attention to obtaining a nice shinny barrel.

Those days are long gone. Nowadays I field strip-clean-lube my CCW once a month, regardless of the hardball sent downrange (usually 500-700.) A complete disassembly clean-lube routine is done every 4 months.

 

[tone]

cleaning

Two of the three handguns that I have are mainly for CCW, so I make sure they are cleaned after every range session, but I use nylon brushes and just do a simple wipe down and lube. The other is a 22, so it needs to be pretty clean to function properly and I do tend to put much more ammo through it than my others, but still I use a nylon bore brush and don't over do it.

 

[zahc]

I think people overclean bores. But you can never be too clean. And if they arer careful in thier overcleaning then it doesn't really hurt anything but time lost.

 

[blades67]

Well, not squeaky clean...clean the firearm, then shoot a few to make sure it works and then you're ready to defend the homestead.

Why would you clean your firearm, then shoot a few rounds through it? A simple function test will determine if you reassembled it correctly. If you're afraid that you'll put the gun back together incorrectly, don't take it apart untill you get some instruction. If you only field strip the gun, clean it, and reassemble it as the manual instructs then there is no reason to "test fire" it afterward.

 

[seeker_two]

I also change socks and underwear every day. Does that qualify me as a "clean freak"?

Underwear I can understand, but SOCKS??? They're OK as long as the Odor Eaters last....

As for my guns: I try to clean them after every range visit, but I don't always make it. I'll clean them at least after the second range visit...

One thing I do to mitigate circumstances is to make sure they're properly lubed and not use overly dirty ammo (i.e. WOLF) in my guns. Thank goodness for S&B & Winchester White Box...

 

[Zeke Menuar]

What? I thought skivvies were to be changed when they can stand up in the corner by themselves

I just got done cleaning my M44 after 40 rounds. Wipeout wasn't enough. Didn't even touch the copper racing stripes. After about 100 passes of JB's and cleanup with Hoppes #9, the bore came clean. The JB's treatments will continue a few more times until only Wipeout is enough. This is my idea of too much cleaning. I am glad I don't need to clean like this every time.

ZM

 

[esheato]

Why would you clean your firearm, then shoot a few rounds through it? A simple function test will determine if you reassembled it correctly. If you're afraid that you'll put the gun back together incorrectly, don't take it apart untill you get some instruction. If you only field strip the gun, clean it, and reassemble it as the manual instructs then there is no reason to "test fire" it afterward.

Simple. Peace of mind. I do function check it after re-assembly, and I have had instruction on how to completely break it down, not just a field strip. Although, I do prefer to put a few rounds downrange even when field stripping it for the same reason. (at least for CCW and competition guns...plinking guns are different). For example, I never clean a match gun the night before the match.

I had a similar conversation the other day with a shooting friend. Shooting well, whether target or self-defense, is about removing variables. Using a load that works flawlessly, knowing your gun is in good condition and keeping your skills sharp. The only thing left to worry about is lining up the sights.

I apologize if I was vague in my original post, but I was referring to the 1911 and doing a complete disassembly.

esheato...

 

[Captain Bligh]

I clean mine religiously after firing. If I didn't, I'm afraid my deceased Daddy would either start spinning in his grave so bad as to affect the earth's rotation or he would start to haunt me. Being taught to do it aside, it seems to be only to be good common sense to have your equipment in good operating condition at all times.

RJ

 

[spartacus2002]

I spent too much money on my M1A to have it corrode or gum up.

At least with an M1A, you just clean the barrel and wipe down the bolt area, scrub the bolt face with a toothbrush. DOesn't take too long. Makes me want to shoot it more. My FAL was a PITA to clean only because of how long it took to get it squeaky clean, especially the gas system.

 

[Nando Aqui]

If I'm in a hurry and can't get it reasonably clean thorughout, I will do as Zach S suggested; i.e., wipe down the rails and run a BoreSnake through it. Speaking of which...
Zach S also wrote:

I change recoil springs about evey 2000 rounds...

Just curious - Have you measured the spring constant (force/inch of deflection) of the 2000-rd 'old' sping vs. a new one? It would be interesting to find out - really. You'd be surprised how a well-designed and manufactured spring holds up. Think 'valve springs' in a car engine - millions of cycles and practically never fail.

Blades67 wrote:

Why would you clean your firearm, then shoot a few rounds through it?

<< For that very critical first shot.>> I understand that snipers, as an example, as well as some hunters will shoot a few rounds after cleaning so their rifle bore will more closely exhibit the shooting conditions as when they sighted-in their scopes.

There have been a number of threads related to the critical first shot for real-life circumstances, and most people say that in their experience, the POI of their first shot frequently is different than after a few rounds. This can be attributed to two things: Temperature of the barrel, and condition of the bore. Not much you can do about the temperature, but at least you can remove the other variable. Definitely, if the bore is rather oily, it will shoot differently. But even if dry, a squeaky clean bore can produce a POI different than after it has had a few rounds through it. Of course, there also are those who will carefully set the POI (adjust their scopes) based on the first shot with a clean bore...but that's another story...

Alex

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Why would you clean your firearm, then shoot a few rounds through it? A simple function test will determine if you reassembled it correctly.

Military used to do it all the time. In Vietnam, patrols would test fire their weapons prior to leaving the base. One less thing to worry about.

 

[sm]

Do folks overclean?

Yep!
Folks improperly clean as well. Failure to inspect and maintain.
I'm in agreement with Art and Sean, I also agree with Shuemann,as Sean posted link to.

I focus on chamber, extraction, actions, and magazines. I shoot mostly jacketed ammo. If I expose the bore to wet,snow, mud and the like - yes I take care it, patches only 90% of the time. I have treated bores with RIG for too many years when a complete deal is done.


Yes I fire rounds to test, I want a fouled bbl , POA/POI is affected. Exception to me carrying a fouled bore, CCW out of State, it is clean, not obessive-compulsive clean, just to where the gun hasn't been fired of late.

Here is one for you, I've shared this with Art and CRSam. Got a fella whom went through some minor surgeries, and the smells of cleaning solvents and probably a combination of anesthesia and meds didn't set well. No biggie, I cleaned his guns and treated with RIG universal grease as he always and myself have always done. He is shooting mostly lead out one of his K frames.

So after a bit he asks me clean, and I forget to get solvent from him . Well heck, I swab bore with RIG with a long Q-tip, toss in a safe place until I can get some.

Later ..next day..

Being curious, I use a Otis pull through with a patch first, humm we have lead coming out. Okay...so I apply more RIG , this time I very ever so slightly heat with a hair dryer, just enough for RIG to become liquid. I pull a patch through again.

Well phooey now I'm curious, so I pull a pc of copper scrubber through with machine oil ( I've yet to find my Lewis lead remover or Kleanbore equiv) and I I get no lead!

To heck with it, Clean is clean, No lead is no lead. Now I always knew RIG "seeped down under and protected"...I just never thought...

I repeated this on another of his K frames he shoots jacketed ammo. Well , phooey those solvents he had been using, may just get dusty sitting on a shelf. That new bottle of Hoppe's Benchrest Copper solvent may have to wait a bit before it gets opened. I didn't heat with dryer just let it set for about 30 min.

Bores are pristine when clean, both of ours after all these years. Guns are kept 100% reliable with ammo used. Old man Bulova once said " I can teach a fella how to clean and fix a watch - I can't seem to teach the fact when the darn thing is clean and fixed, to quit fixing and cleaning the darn thing!"

Yeah, this old boy would rather spend money on ammo than cleaning stuff...be it reloading or shooting it...gotta agree.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Marlin 60? Yup. Every time I get back from the range, before I do anything else.

SAR-1? Nope. I'll take it shooting, put ~240 rds through it, and pack up and go home. A couple of months later, I'll take it out shooting again. Then I'll clean it a month or so after this. Nothing bad yet.

 

[Dave T]

In over 30 years of shooting I have never seen a weapon malfunction because it was cleaned too much. I have seen countless weapons malfunction because they were not cleaned or improperly cleaned and lubed.

I learned the finer points of weapon maintenance from a gentleman with the title "Sergeant". I have a suspecision the military is big on weapon cleanliness for a reason. My own experience above would seem to bear that out.

I will clean my weapons thoroughly and regularly. The lazy may do as they wish.

 

[ChopperKen]

I used to clean all my guns after every use.
18 years ago I bought my Dan Wesson 357,after shooting 150 rounds or so and getting my sights set just right I cleaned it.
It took a few rounds top get it hitting right again.
I havent cleaned it since and it still hits where I aim.
The shotguns still get cleaned often.
Ken

 

[TonyB]

My CCW I clean after every outing...it's a revolver so especially the cylinders..my auto's I clean about every 200 rounds...otherwise I just lube before I shoot.....my 10/22..almost never....

 

[Zach S]

Why would you clean your firearm, then shoot a few rounds through it?

Even though this wasnt directed at me, I'll answer. As you can figure out from my cleaning routine, I hate cleaning guns. Therefore, I'm accustomed to dirty pistolas, and dont entirely trust a clean one since my experiance with them is limited.

the range I got to always has filthy rentals. IIRC, the para P14 hasnt been cleaned in years, just the occasional wipe and oil.

 

[mod29]

New Guy Here..

Hello, everyone! Might as well jump on in.
Dad was a Capt in the Army. He taught me a thing or two about firearms, starting when I was old enough to begin shooting.
Safety first, last and foremost. Marksmanship. And, taking care of your RIFLE (not 'gun', boy).
Our firearms were NEVER stored dirty. Never. Always carefully cleaned and oiled after each outing. That was the rules. If you want to go shooting, you have to clean your rifle when the day was done. Period.
I know lots of people don't think it's necessary to keep their firearms clean. Indeed, I have seen many neglected handguns and rifles over the years. Very few people I know even come close to the care I take of my weapons. However, every firearm in my safe is in outstanding condition and perfect working order, inclulding the Model 64 Winchester my grandfather bought used many many years ago. Everytime I take that rifle out of the safe to wipe down and re-oil, I am thankful my dad took such excellent care of it. Overcleaned? BS. That rifle still shoots excellent, even after all these years.
OK, I'll get off my soapbox now!

Jim

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

I do a light cleaning when I get home from the range...

But it's mostly to inspect the firearm and to make sure no "black stuff" gets on my pants.
I do remember a post by the late Gale McMillom who stated that he thought we cleaned a little too much". When Gale posted--I read. (And remembered. I miss his posts.)

Will

 

[shooter1]

Hmm, just got through detail stripping and cleaning/lubricating two of my 1911s and two Glocks. I do the detail strip at least twice a year. Routine cleaning is done once a month on carry and duty weapons (field strip) or more frequently if they are fired. Doesn't seem excessive to me.
Will