Gun cleaning 101

[Partisan Ranger]

I registered on THR a month ago and asked for some advice on a first handgun purchase. My gun (a Kahr K-9) is now at my FFL and I'm going to pick it up tomorrow. What should I purchase for cleaning? I was at Galyan's looking around but there's so much junk in there, I'd probably buy stuff I don't need. I know I'll be pretty fanatical on cleaning as I'm going to carry the gun concealed and would like it to work if the @##$ hits the fan.

So what should I buy for cleaning?
Partisan Ranger

 

[fatboyclone]

after purchasing my first pistol, i bought the Hoppes cleaning kit. it has a pistol rod, Hoppes #9 solvent, some Hoppes oil and some patches. i would also recommend getting a jag in the appropriate caliber and some additional patches.

that's what works for me, i'm sure that others have different brands that they have tried, it's all pretty much the same.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Bore Snake.

Rod (preferably a good coated one) to push extra patches through, and brass brush if needed for some reason.

Lots of patches.

Breakfree CLP.

That's all I really need, but I use Mpro7 in the bore too, but I still go through the bore with the Breakfree and get more out, so it's a mute point.

I originally bought a KleenBore kit for my .45, would be better just to get a good nylon/coated cleaning rod and patch pushers/pullers to go with it.

And a LeadAway cloth if you want that like new look on Stainless guns!

 

[Calanctus]

I picked up the Otis "Kit & Kaboodle" cleaning kit, myself. Compact enough to wear on your belt, cleans everything from 22 rimfire to 10 gauge, reasonable price. Pick up some extra patches, and you're good to go.

 

[allamricn]

First Timer Mistakes

I am a classic example of reading many posts when I bought my Glock about many different products. My NRA instructor was a Hoppe's/RemOil guy. My deputy friends were Breakfree CLP guys. I read articles making Tetra products sound like the end all be all. Then came MPro7 and Militec! The list goes on and on. With trial and error comes experience in this area. So here would be my recommendations based on successes and failures (but remember, just my opinions):

Must Haves:

Firepower FP-10 CLP- one stop cleaning and lube product
Boresnake (2- one for range bag, one for home)
Copper cleaner (Shooter's Choice or Butch's are good)
lots of patches
q-tips
pipecleaners
compressed air
double ended nylon gun brush (like a toothbrush)

Good but not a must:
Otis Cleaning Kits- just like the way it works better than a cleaning rod
MPro7- great cleaner, but must lube everything after using it

Iffy Products (in my opinion!!):

Militec1
Tetra products


Try the FP-10 and you will love it.

www.fp-10.com

Good luck

 

[KarlG]

This may sound weird, but

One very useful product that I found to lube my handguns is a eyeliner applicator. My wife was going to throw one away and asked if I had a use for it. It looked like a rugged q-tip so I put it in my toolbox for uses unknown. For some reason I decided to use it to clean and lube my gun one day. WOW. It has a plastic flexile paddle inside of a little flat sponge. It gets into the small cracks and evenly distributes oil. It cleans right up and can be used several times also.

 

[Lord Grey Boots]

MPro-7. Clean, no smell, non-toxic.

Reusable handi-wipes. These are the pink or green reusable wipes about 12"x18" you find in stores everywhere. They are great for cleaning as they are cheap, pick up the gunk very well, and are handy for tearing to size. I use only them for cleaning patches.

Old tooth brushes.

Old dental picks are sometimes useful.

 

[Quinch]

If you want a kit, then get a "Kleen-Bore" police kit in your caliber and add a patch eyelet.

The best thing to do is buy piecemeal.
1) handgun rod
2) bronze brush
3) M-pro 7
4) Q-tips
5) patches by the zillion. Buy them at wal-mart or gun shows cheap.
6) Prestone non-chlorinated brake cleaner.
7) Bore-snake

 

[sm]

I prefer uncoated steel rods, so I still use the Kleenbore kit I've had since Kleenbore went into business. I still use the Formula 3 , No. 10 and Copper Cutter solvents by Kleenbore. The muzzle guard is important when cleaning form muzzle.

I also still use the Otis Kit had it for a good while also. I have bought the components (different calibers, pistol rifle...) as I will often just have that in range bag, back pocket afield, range.
This is also the reason I don't have a boresnake...they are fine, its just I've owned the otis for so long and fits anything from .22-12 ga...and I don't have to wash the snake. Also one cleans from breach--the preferred method. If you later get a revolver, or a lever action you will see advantage.

Tackle box, mine has the deep storage on top, and drawers underneath. Extra components, tools, parts...

Long wooden Q-tips, pipettes, applicator brushes ( Radio Shack, Hobby/Craft store), pipe cleaners, double ended nylon brushes...and save your old toothbrushes, from NAPA get the nylon cylindrical brushes, avail in .22 - .45cal.

( pipettes use for solvents, and tranferring lubes into smaller bottles...keep things safe and non contaiminated.)

Caveat: Careful getting a bunch of different products and mixing them...some do not mix and can cause harm.

Isopropyl alcohol, and Zippo lighter fluid...oh yeah almost forgot...

RIG Grease to protect externals.

I given so much stuff away , its easy to get caught up, when you win this stuff, in a shooter's kit or gifts...just keep what works and save money for ammo, mags, lessons.

NAPA Breaklean is cheaper than Gunscrubber btw

 

[Partisan Ranger]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm learning that when you ask 100 gun people a question on guns, you get 100 different answers, but there is always some consensus from the various responses.

I did order a 4 oz. bottle of FP 10 CLP yesterday. I think I'll head back to Galyan's and buy piece meal some of the things you all recommended.

PR

 

[allamricn]

Partisan--

Good choice on the FP-10 purchase. Just remember, as I failed to do when first doing cleaning, that a little goes a LONGGG way. I am sure I used too much at first, but as you get better at cleaning, you will use less.

As many have said on here, patches are a must and get a big ol bag of the them at Galyan's or Gander Mountain. I like the ones that are big enough to wrap around the ends of the nylon brushes.

FWIW, read the FP-10 instructions carefully when it comes to bore cleaning. The suggestion George makes about a patch covered bronze brush really is a neat little trick. Oh yeah, and really let the FP-10 soak for about 5-8 minutes (or longer if you like) to break up much of the fouling.

For me, cleaning is very relaxing and you look forward to doing it when you have a good product to use.

 

[blades67]

I recommend a Bore Snake, CLP, Q-tips and patches, a good quality cleaning rod and a double ended nylon cleaning brush.

 

[Penforhire]

I wish someone told me about bore snakes 20 years ago (were they around back then?). Greatly reduces the number of patches you have to finish with. Be extra careful not to scratch or dent the muzzle crown of your barrel.

And go easy with the lubricant. Less is better than more.

 

[Partisan Ranger]

All your advice was most helpful, thanks. I went to Galyan's yesterday and got:

1. Hoppes 9 copper solvent
2. Hoppes 9 grease
3. Boresnake
4. Patches
5. Rod
6. Rag to get lead off the stainless steel finish

I saw a double sided brush there, but I thought, pay $4,99 for this or use an old toothbruth for the time being? Guess which I chose?

CLP will come in the mail soon. Now is the CLP an all in 1 sort of thing that you use as a solvent and a lubricant, or do I use a solvent first? I imagine this is on the instructions of the bottle, but I like to hear what all you experts have to say. Thanks.

PR

ps. Picking up my K-9 tomorrow! Yay!

 

[kalibear45]

I use FP-10 for cleaning & lubing.

Works like a charm. Gets all the gunk out. On top of it, the smell is not bothersome. All you need is a cleaning rod, brush, cleaning patches, and some cuetips for those hard to reach places

 

[allamricn]

CLP will come in the mail soon. Now is the CLP an all in 1 sort of thing that you use as a solvent and a lubricant, or do I use a solvent first? I imagine this is on the instructions of the bottle, but I like to hear what all you experts have to say. Thanks.

PR


Partisan,

FP-10 is all you need for cleaning and lubing (forget the grease..check posts by Firepower re: grease vs. oil on www.thefiringline.com or www.1911forum.com). Use the copper solvent if you get heavy buildup which shouldn't occur right away.

 

[Spackler]

Sigarms has a nice document on their web site covering cleaning and maintenance.

http://www.sigarmsacademy.com/pdf/preventative_maintenance_guide.pdf

 

[ImJustRick]

Don't worry TOO much!

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new purchase!

I suspect that at your gunshop they'll have an all-in-one kit that should have everything you need. Bore cleaner, patches, a brush or two and a rod. I also have some cloth diapers I use for after I've cleaned the guts, just to clean up the outside.

Taking care of your firearm is easy; better to do a little regularly than a thorough job once a year. Personally, cleaning is part of the range experience for me... as soon as I get home, I strip and swab!

FWIW, I love the smell of Bore Cleaner.

-Rick

 

[larryw]

Two other items to keep things safe and healthy: eye protection and disposable surgical/latex gloves.

Old bit of wisdom: Never breathe without eye protection if guns, tools or chemicals are around.

Disposable gloves keep the chemicals from being absorbed through the skin and make life much easier when washing up afterwards. I get the non-powdered ones, a bit more work to get on, but that talc gets everywhere I don't want it. Note that brake cleaner (recommended) will remove the gloves from your hands.

 

[PressCheck]

Clean my Pistol?? It's a Glock!