Explain your cleaning methods...?

[SilentStalker]

I am wondering if some of you will explain your cleaning methods of your pistols. I realize that there is only a couple of ways to do this but I am curious as to your product usage, order of use, etc. etc. Do you use a bore snake, silicon rags, etc. I am also wondering how many of you actually oil the actions, barrels, etc. for long or short term storage. Why is this technically a bad idea? I have just always wondered why this is bad or why too much oil is bad? I could see how excess oil would lead to extra dust and dirt collection but if it is in a case within a drawer within a closet or in a safe or whatever, the dust and dirt should be pretty dang slime to nothing. I am also wondering how excess oil leads to premature wear, some please explain that one. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

[CDH]

Like I'm sure a lot of us here, most of my collection goes unused for long periods of time.
So whenever I clean any of them, I do a very detailed job and finish up with a very liberal coating of protective oil (I like Slip 2000 but any good gun oil will do).
Then before I take one out to shoot, I just run a single dry patch through the bore and cylinders (if revolver), wipe it down with a clean towel, and go shoot.
The idea that too much oil will cause excessive wear is nonsense. Where that might come from is that excessive oil can hold more dust, grit, and bullet residue to where it could turn into an abrasive paste. But that simply won't happen if a person cleans the pistol after a day at the range.

Here's a short anecdote from just last night: I hadn't shot my Dan Wesson .22 revolver for quite a while so I thought I'd take it out and give it a onceover.
I immediately saw that there was a white powder inside the front ends of all the cylinder holes, so evidently, it had been so long since I'd cleaned it that what I think happened is that the little lead residue that remained started to oxidize.
If you pick up a lead bullet that you've overlooked at the bottom of your shooting bag for a couple of years, you'll probably notice that the lead itself is coated with a white powder, and that's what was inside the chambers of my DW .22.

So even when you slobber them with oil, that's not a permanent storage solution and they still need to be looked at once in a while. Of course, the stainless ones are probably less critical, but I generally like to re-clean a pistol at least every year or so. This DW had been at the back of the safe for probably 5 years untouched.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I use Hopps #9 as my cleaning solvent. I usually dip a Q-Tip in it and rub down all the dirty surfaces then wipe them clean with an old rag made from my old white t-shirts. I also us it on the bore. I start with a wet patch of #9 down the bore and follow with a brass brush then a dry patch. I finish with a lightly coated patch with a bit of oil on it. When I'm done cleaning I use a Qtip with Weaponsheild or Mobile 1 oil on it and I put a very light load of oil on all the inside working surfaces and moving parts. I'll also use a patch and oil the slide and wipe it dry again to avoid any rust. I'll do that to the frame too if its a metal frame instead of polymer.

If I'm going to store it I spray it down and wipe it off with Birchwood Casey's Barricade. It seems to work really well to prevent rust.

This seems to work fine for me.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I strip the grips off and soak them over nite in Kerosene if they are really dirty. If not I blow them out Brake Cleaner and lube.

I always clean the barrels after every shooting session with Hops #9.

I lube with either Rem-Oil or Clp.

 

[JZ06]

Usually

field strip it.(BE SURE it is UN LOADED before beginning) i start with the barrel. lightly brush it(wet with hoppe's 9) then send a patch through. i'll send a few more either wet or dry patches through until it's cleaner.

i wipe everything down with a dry paper towel then use a towel with some hoppe's 9 on it to get any crud off. in tight spaces, i like to use a patch. maybe use a small screw driver to aid in the patch removing the grime/dirt.

once it's all nice and clean, oil the parts, re-assemble, function check then go blast it.

if it's going to sit in the safe or not be used for a long time....i'm heavier on the oil. and i'll coat a patch with oil and put it down the barrel.

enjoy!

 

[Kevin108]

I use a toothbrush and a bore brush with Simple Green to clean most everything. I rinse it and wipe/blow dry then follow up with a slightly oily cloth or just fingers with CLP on them. I then use precision oiler and put Militec 1 in the regular places like rails, trigger connector, etc. Function check with a pencil with the eraser end down the barrel.

 

[Prion]

A bit ago I read an article or post from a chemist, sorry no link, not to use carb/brake cleaner on fire arms because it is too strong. He said that it can damage finishes, harm plastics, and open up metal pores on a molecular level and makes them vulnerable to rust and wear. Sorry I can't provide more details but this guy seemed to think it was a really bad idea. Thought?

 

[WarHall]

I never heard of such a thing!

As letting a perfectly good firearm 'sit' at all - I rotate through them and clean them as I go...

 

[bluetopper]

Deltaboy, our unorthodox cleaning methods are very similar.
I clean/bathe my guns in diesel. I disassemble, then put parts in a plastic tub to soak for a while then clean. Afterwards I blow off the excess with an air hose, wipe dry, then lube with a few drops of my favorite 10/30 motor oil. Nothing I've found is slicker or stays put better.

 

[geronimo509]

I field strip the gun first. I use Gun scrubber on the slide. Then use hopps 9 on the slide with Q tips. If i have to I use dental tools to get in the tights spots. Also, a lint free rag. On the frame I use Q tips, a lint free rag, the dental tools for tight spots, and hopps 9. I used the lint free rag for the springs and guide rod and stuff. I use a bore snake with hopps 9 for the barrel. I wipe it clean and put some more hopps 9 as a lubricant. and its good to go!

 

[BernieD]

I usually just field strip them and give them a good wipe down using a rag made from an old t-shirt, som q tips and some hoppes. I hit the barrel with a bore brush and hoppes, run some patches down to remove the crud I just loosened with the brush, give it all a light coat of oil, then reassemble. I do a quick functions check and call it good. If they aren't getting used I give them a quick look and external wipe down every 2-3 months.