I don't really knock anyone for keeping a spotless gun, and it DOES reflect one's respect for the gun, and as mentioned, respect for the way one was taught. I believe in practical cleaning, at the minimum. I once was bored one evening, manning a guardshack for a combined police and security force I worked for. I had anyone that was interested bring in their S&W revolver that night (about 16 guns) and I gave them mine while I fully disassembled and cleaned guns, some that hadn't been thoroughly cleaned since manufactured, and some were 15 or more years old. Pretty interesting. I felt good that each officer now had at least an inspection AND a serviceably clean gun. I'm sure this chased Murphy away for at least a few more years, as some of those guns might have malfuctioned for all the dirt, rust, and lint I found in them. My dad was a notorious poor gun cleaner. He regarded guns as tools, and he often had rust on his tools, too. We boys used to pick up the slack and clean Dad's guns every so often when we visited. It was so bad with his "yard gun", that we bought him a stainless Marlin .22 mag with a synthetic stock (matching silver Tasco scope) for critter control. He used to leave a gun near the window in the garage, and it was always getting wet from rain spray.........