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

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It isn't feasible to fire the gun. I'd have to either clean the gun at the range (probably frowned on at an indoor one), or go home, clean the gun and go back to the range. And there is usually little to go wrong with simple field stripping of an auto, but some guns do have "quirky" reassembly, e.g., directional recoil springs or having to line up link holes with the slide stop pin. I do make sure the slide cycles smoothly and the firing mechanism operates after finishing. I can hear or feel anything out of the ordinary if I did something wrong.
 
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DeepSouth said:
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.
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I'll give you my reason:

I clean my guns at home. I can't shoot my guns at home, what with local ordinances and all about discharging firearms in town.

I suppose I could clean them at some ranges, but I don't bother.

I cycle my gun by hand after cleaning, then holster it.
 
That is definitely a legitimate reason, fortunately I can shoot in my backyard.:):neener:
If I had to go to a range to shoot I likely wouldn't bother to shoot after a cleaning either.
 
Clean the pistol, function test, load a dependable mag with the same ammo as tested, chamber a round, top off mag. If it's a SIG, it's ready to go.

At some point, you must trust your skill at following the manual of arms and the dependability of your equipment.

Choose accordingly...
 
I clean my guns at home. I can't shoot my guns at home, what with local ordinances and all about discharging firearms in town.

I suppose I could clean them at some ranges, but I don't bother.

I cycle my gun by hand after cleaning, then holster it.
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on the rare occasion i clean a gun, i will do it at the range. my wife doesn't like the smell of solvents.
i almost always shoot after cleaning
 
A couple of rounds isn't going to get it that dirty .Wipe off the breach face and run a patch down the barrel .Reload and your done. :rolleyes: You all making to big a deal of this . :neener:

Do you test fire your ammo or just trust it. In a new box I will at random pick a mag full +1 for chamber. Then fire rest of box. Once I did this with very expensive name brand carry ammo . I had 3 rounds that stuck in chamber. out of 12. When shooting . Punched those out with a rod. I removed barrel and dropped all remaining rounds into chamber Found 1 round that wouldn't seat all the way. Slide would drive it in and then after firing would not eject. I contacted the company they replaced the entire box . If that happened in real fight You might be dead .

Only time ever happened, but it happened.

I have advantage my range is about 50' from my door.
 
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It takes only one round to leave your barrel dry. Those of you who test fire, do you swab the bore with oil or other after firing, or just leave it dry?
 
Leave it dry.

Truth be told, I tend to shoot my handguns until they NEEEED cleaning, clean them, and then put them back into the rotation. When I can I shoot at least once a week, but it might be a couple months between cleanings.

I don't stress about not having shot a carry gun after cleaning it, but I prefer to. Chances are very high that many rounds have gone down the pipe of any gun I'm carrying since I last had it apart.
 
It takes only one round to leave your barrel dry. Those of you who test fire, do you swab the bore with oil or other after firing, or just leave it dry?
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Leave it dry, never had a problem other than pocket lint, which I think would be worse if I oiled it. ;)
 
flphotog said:
I was wondering the same thing, if you clean them then shoot them, why bother to clean them at all.
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Actually, we "clean and preserve" them.

Cleaning, obviously, removes the "gunk" and whatnot that builds up in firearms as they're used and carried about. Powder residue, dirt, body salts, etc. Lubrication and coating of parts serves to provide a barrier against corrosion while keeping moving parts lubed.

So long as the "gunk" does not interfere with operation, then keeping the moving parts lubricated periodically is sufficient for most carry purposes. Unless, of course, in extreme instances. Like that time I was canoeing with a brother and ended up in over my head in the river. But that's a laughable story for later.

:)

So, cleaning a carry piece thoroughly, then test firing it for functionality afterwards, isn't going to hurt anything.


I don't think anybody here is advocating this for firearms to be stored away. Just their carry weapon. Long term storage requirements are different.

;)
 
Umm no.

After I shoot for training or qualification, I clean my pistols, reassemble them, reload them in preparation for their next use either in training or for self defense. Now I am a Sig Sauer devotee, and have never, ever, repeat never had one fail to function after I employed it after cleaning. However, when I was a street cop carrying a Model 19, I did exactly the same thing, with the same result. Shoot gun, clean gun, shoot gun next time.
 
If you cannot clean your SD handgun without inducing fear and doubt, there is something seriously wrong with either your choice of handgun or your cleaning regimen.

That is all I will say on this subject.
 
Hummmm, if you experience fear and doubt because your carry weapon has had 5 rounds shot of it since your last cleaning then, there is something seriously wrong with either your choice of handgun or your cleaning regimen.

:rolleyes:

Silliness much?
 
I dont clean my guns all that often, but when i do, I dont stress about making sure they've been fired before Id carry them again. A simple function test is plenty sufficient.

Now, if its a repair or any kind of alteration, then you bet Im going to fire it before it goes back on my hip.
 
orionengnr said:
If you cannot clean your SD handgun without inducing fear and doubt, there is something seriously wrong with either your choice of handgun or your cleaning regimen.

That is all I will say on this subject.
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What other machines do you take apart and put back together and not test when you're finished? When you change your oil don't you start up the car and check for leaks, oil level, etc?
 
As an example; I rebuilt the entire front suspension (bushings, bearings, joints, etc) in my s10 and didnt test drive it before i had to use it to get to work. It went together correctly and without a hitch and there wasnt a shred of doubt that it was just fine.
It wasnt my first rodeo either though. Im fluent in that task.

I dont want to sound like a wiseguy but, would you test fire a cartridge after handloading it, to be sure it would perform when you need it?
 
That's a terrible example. What were the consequences of your truck breaking down on the way to work? Being late? A tow bill? A little frustration?

Hardly life or death which is what you face if your defensive weapon fails when you need it.
 
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