Do you test fire your self defense fire arm after cleaning it?

[C0untZer0]

I have to pay for range time here in Northern Illinois, since I don't want to pay the range for the time it takes me to clean my firearm, and I can't fire it (except for self defense) anywhere else except at the range...

No, I don't test fire my firearms after cleaning them.

I do a function check after cleaning and re-assembly.

 

[Panzerschwein]

There is no need to simulate recoil on a revolver.

Pull the trigger and make sure the firing pin snaps out as it should and that the cylinder turns. That's all you need to do.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

So shoot it, clean it, then shoot it, and clean it, shoot it, clean it............................................. ..................................................................................................?

More like shoot it a lot, clean it, shoot a mag or two and put back into service for self defense.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Kinda defeats the purpose of cleaning them, doesn't it?

Nope. I dry-fire them to ensure they work, but that's it.

 

[DeepSouth]

Kinda defeats the purpose of cleaning them, doesn't it?

Nope

And like I have said here more than once, the only problem I've ever found could have only been found by fireing it.

 

[Snyper]

I saw a few online videos about cleaning/checking/fixing minor issues with Glock semi auto pistols where a guy claims the instructors in his Glock factory armorer class advised the students to completely disassemble the Glock & clean it in a alcohol solution once a year, .

That makes sense for an armorer student. just for the practice
Not so much for the average shooter

 

[gamestalker]

Actually, I just discovered a problem with one of my M66's recently, something I wouldn't have discovered with dry firing. For what ever reason, the cylinder stop had worn down over time, something that may have been induced by, and possibly accelerated by dry firing. I suspect it was a soft MIM part, but either way, I wouldn't have been aware of the problem by dry firing alone.

Another example of this occurred a few years back with a different K frame. In that circumstance, the main spring had weakened and was producing light strikes, something I wouldn't have been aware of by dry firing alone. The sensitivity difference between CCI-500's and 550's was enough to cause light strikes with the weak main spring.

Both of the above issues didn't occur with lower pressure practice loads, only with full tilt self defense loads. So IMHO, it's necessary to run the ammo I intend to carry, not all problems will present with low pressure target or practice ammo. My life depends on knowing that my firearm and ammo both function flawlessly, dry firing doesn't always expose serious functionality failures or issues.

GS

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nope I just cycle it by hand then reload it and put it up.

 

[entropy]

Do you test fire your self defense firearm after cleaning it?

No, that's what a proper function test is for. If a semi is malfunctioning before I took it apart, that is why I am a gunsmith. It certainly shouldn't mechanically fail after I've reassembled it. Any malfunction that wasn't mechanical wouldn't show up until fired, true, but then maybe not even after 100 rounds; see where I'm going with this? You'd expend all your ammo attempting to ensure functionality.

Firing a long-range rifle after cleaning to eliminate the 'cold-bore' shot is entriely different.

 

[Elkins45]

I want my carry gun to have a clean bore. Not for reliability purposes but to make it obvious my gun hasn't been fired. Not sure that would ever matter, but I can't see how it could hurt.

 

[Sav .250]

Anything can fail at any time. Who`s to say, after you`ve fired the 'box or two" it won`t fail?

If it`s in working order when last tested............ Can`t ask for much more. J s/n.

 

[DeepSouth]

You know, after reading all the responses from people who don't test fire after cleaning, I still can't think of a decent reason why not to, nor has anyone pointed one out.

But honestly the fact that shooting a mag after cleaning has found a problem that I caused has convinced me. I can't imagine any argument could convince me not to at this point, because I have seen the benefit. Do what you want, but I'll know my gun has run at least a magazine full since it was last broken down into pieces and reassembled.

 

[Choctaw]

How do you know that last round didn't break something and your gun won't fire again?

 

[TimSr]

For the self defense ones, I like to take them to the range and run a box of shells or a magazine or two through them just to make sure they work.

Sounds like a loop with no end to me if your reason for cleaning a gun is because you've been shooting it.

 

[DeepSouth]

How do you know that last round didn't break something and your gun won't fire again

I don't, but the odds of that happening are drastically lower than the odds of me making a mistake in reassembly. It's playing the odds, I'm just playing the better ones.

 

[Driftertank]

Nope. I reassemble my guns exactly as I disassembled them. Only cleaner.

I'm a mechanic by trade, so perhaps the faith in my skill in assemby of machines is above average, through experience. I WILL ensure all the moving parts move as specified after reassembly. But firing after cleaning seems like it would nullify the point of cleaning, IMO...that being, to remove fouling and debris from the firearm to ensure reliable function and prevent damage due to chemical reactions caused by deposits left by firing.

 

[DeepSouth]

I forgot, some people are perfect and never make any mistakes.
Sorry, my bad.

 

[Driftertank]

Aw, hell, I'm FAR from perfekt. I've "sproinged" my share of parts across the room. I just have a lot of practice at puttin stuff back together. I've also shot some corrosive ammo, and seen humidity combine with copper residue to produce blue fuzz, and surface rust and pitting appear in and on firearms.

I like to leave them clean and lightly oiled...

 

[DeepSouth]

Well if I shot corrosive ammo I certainly wouldn't shoot it after being cleaned. But you'll never convicte me that 6 rounds of gold dots is going to get it dirty enough to hurt anything.

 

[Driftertank]

Dont get me wrong. I'm not saying that it is wrong or dangerous to test fire a firearm after cleaning. Just contrary to my own personal training and habits.

Responding to the originally posed question.

 

[DeepSouth]

A plain case of different strokes for different folks. Sorry I came off rude, been on midnights for a week and that's makes me come of as cranky, according to everyone that knows me.

 

[sauer1911]

sounds like an OCD nightmare. I cleaned it because I just shot it. If I test it with ammo, it is now dirty again, time to clean it again.

There are not that many parts, just put it back together and cycle the cylinder, or the slide and put it away.

be safe.

 

[Jeff White]

Test firing weapons after maintenance and before going into harms way is a long time military practice.

More weapons are damaged from over cleaning then you would believe.

The white gloves military weapons inspection is more about teaching discipline and attention to detail then it is about functionality. The adoption of CLP for cleaning small arms has pretty much made white glove inspections obsolete.

The small amount of residue from test firing with smokeless powder is not going to harm anything. I gladly trade a little residue for the peace of mind that I am carrying a functional weapon.

 

[hatt]

I always like to shoot my carry gun after cleaning to make sure nothing funny happened.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Test firing weapons after maintenance and before going into harms way is a long time military practice.

It was SOP for the Vietnam era MACV-SOG folks. That was the first I had heard of it.