How often do guns that arent being shot need cleaned?

[Moparmike]

I have a couple of guns that I havent shot in a while, one I havent shot in over 5 months. How often do they need cleaned? They generally sit in a corner. Do I need to clean them before I shoot them?

Thanks,

 

[M99M12]

If you've got a kid, like I used to be, every day.

 

[Black Majik]

maybe dont need to reclean them, just relube the rails and parts contacting should be fine

 

[redneck2]

Probably more important...

unless they're in a partcularly dirty environment, I'd be more concerned about corrosion, either from the air or from handling

I like to wipe down my stored guns at least every 6 months (they're in a heated safe) and every time after they're handled

If you don't know, it's possible for oil to run down the barrel and into the action and stock of guns that are stored muzzle up. This is the reason that many of the older shotguns have discolored wood where it meets the metal of the receiver. Over time, the wood will soften and break up.

 

[T.Stahl]

In case of my SL8 or Glock, I wouldn't clean them if I didn't shoot them in a year. That's different for my Enfield. That get's cleaned even if I don't shoot it in two or three months.

 

[Wildalaska]

eVERY DAY!

WildacleangunsahappygunAlaska

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Such guns should not need to be 'cleaned.' As noted, they need to be lubed in many cases and for blued guns, wiped down again. Redneck2 described it well. For dead stored, every six months may be fine. For home defense guns, it is good to check them much more often, and then because you do, wipe them down.

I have opted to use lithium grease instead of oil and I find that for those that can be greased that they don't need to be lubed if they aren't used, but blued guns still need to be wiped down for corrosion, fingerprints, etc.