how often do you clean your weapons?
- Thread starter gpwelding1
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Hizzoner
Member
I want to say "Every time my daughter brings home a new boyfriend" but that would be a lie.
I clean mine every time I shoot them even if it's only 20 rounds.
I clean mine every time I shoot them even if it's only 20 rounds.
Me, either. I clean every time I shoot, and sometimes in-between just because I like to clean. I rotate range trips between a Colt Series 70 1911, Colt Python, and S&W M29. I get home, get out the patches and the Shooter's Choice, crack a cold one, and go to it.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,294
I clean them every time I use them. If it's been awhile between range visits and some of them haven't been used recently, I will clean those as well.
Copeland1990
Member
Same routine here aside from the getting everything out I lube when I it then away and leave them be till I use them again, no other users know my safe combo so no one else can use them either.
Omaney
Member
After shooting as a rule. However, I will take to the LCP a blast from the compressor often to blow out the pocket lint.
chieftain
Member
In Vietnam, 67,68,69 as a Marine with the 3rdMarDiv I never saw a man get wounded or die because his weapons were too clean. I saw a bunch get it because their weapon's were dirty.
Later I got kicked off the Drill Field for pointing out the finer points of a clean M14 rifle to one of my young troopers. Lucky for me the Skipper was a very salty Bull Col. and he understood my Sargent's angst perfectly, relieved me without charges or problems. The NEW CORPS did not like Sgt's who thumped, The Col and I commiserated together about it.
To this day, I get very "hinky" around dirty weapons, after all at one time in my life clean weapons was a survival skill in the literal sense.
So I classify my weapons for either play or fighting. A fighting weapon needs to be kept functionally clean, not white glove, although........... A weapon for play, hunting, competition, plinking, teaching etc... Is your business. But I sure liked the folks who used the bathing and tooth brush analogies.
I guess each of us should set our own standards. For me I vote clean weapons.
Go figure.
Fred
Later I got kicked off the Drill Field for pointing out the finer points of a clean M14 rifle to one of my young troopers. Lucky for me the Skipper was a very salty Bull Col. and he understood my Sargent's angst perfectly, relieved me without charges or problems. The NEW CORPS did not like Sgt's who thumped, The Col and I commiserated together about it.
To this day, I get very "hinky" around dirty weapons, after all at one time in my life clean weapons was a survival skill in the literal sense.
So I classify my weapons for either play or fighting. A fighting weapon needs to be kept functionally clean, not white glove, although........... A weapon for play, hunting, competition, plinking, teaching etc... Is your business. But I sure liked the folks who used the bathing and tooth brush analogies.
I guess each of us should set our own standards. For me I vote clean weapons.
Go figure.
Fred
MtnSpur
Member
All my weapons are thoroughly cleaned after every use, period. Every few months I check every weapon in the safe just as a precaution to make sure no issues could have reared it's ugly head. Habit.
deputy tom
Member
I clean mine as follows...
1.After every range trip.
2. Once a year shot or not.
3.Carry guns every six months.
YMMV. tom.
1.After every range trip.
2. Once a year shot or not.
3.Carry guns every six months.
YMMV. tom.
el Godfather
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2012
- Messages
- 1,847
After every time I use it.
Deputy Tom is more where I'm at.
Clean 'em after I shoot 'em. (This might not be the case in a multi day class.)
Clean 'em after a hunting trip, shot or not.
Even the stuff in the safe gets a 6 month wipe down.
Clean 'em after I shoot 'em. (This might not be the case in a multi day class.)
Clean 'em after a hunting trip, shot or not.
Even the stuff in the safe gets a 6 month wipe down.
GMHAYESUSN
Member
Usually after every range trip or every 2 weeks of carry however the new M&P isnt getting cleaned til it fails over 600 rounds so far no issues
I clean my hanguns and ar's after every outing. I like them shiny!
however.. I have a maverick 88 I havent cleaned since I got it and have put around 250 rounds through it only some clp to lube it up! Shotguns are working guns right?
WOOOO post #100!!!
however.. I have a maverick 88 I havent cleaned since I got it and have put around 250 rounds through it
only some clp to lube it up! Shotguns are working guns right?WOOOO post #100!!!
I tend to clean all my guns after each range session, but I'm not above putting some of them away dirty if I don't feel like breaking out all the cleaning supplies. I will also occasionally check out and re-oil guns that have been in storage for a while to make sure nothing is corroding.
DeadFlies
Member
This is basically what I do too. I'll put them away dirty but only for a day or two. Sometimes I just don't have the time to give them the attention they deserve right after I'm done shooting or hunting.
And yeah, every few months I give them all a good rub-down with a silicone cloth, whether I've shot or even handled them or not.
MedWheeler
Member
My Ruger Mk-II and my Ruger 10/22 both got cleaned after a session a few days ago, and it was the first time in probably two decades for each of them, other than an occasional wipe-down of the exterior.
I have no "safe queens". Other guns, most of which are potential defense pieces, get cleaned probably after every other range trip. Range trips for me occur about once every four-to-six weeks, and involve 50-100 rounds per centerfire gun (less for the P32 due to availability of ammo), and about twice that for rimfires.
Not all of my guns go with me to each session. If one stays home but wasn't cleaned after its last session, it will get cleaned with the day's shooters if they do.
I have no "safe queens". Other guns, most of which are potential defense pieces, get cleaned probably after every other range trip. Range trips for me occur about once every four-to-six weeks, and involve 50-100 rounds per centerfire gun (less for the P32 due to availability of ammo), and about twice that for rimfires.
Not all of my guns go with me to each session. If one stays home but wasn't cleaned after its last session, it will get cleaned with the day's shooters if they do.
I'm with this gentleman.
Yes, I'm sure that they don't need to be cleaned after every trip to the range. Yes, I know they'll work just fine even when dirty. But knowing that my weapons are properly cleaned just makes me feel better.
What about the fact that, according to some of what I have read (and it is totally logical), your firearm is more likely to malfunction when it has been disassembled and then put back together since the last time you fired it?
Isn't there something to be said for having verified proper function since the last dis-assembly?
Isn't there something to be said for having verified proper function since the last dis-assembly?
chieftain
Member
For those that do not know how to maintain, reliably reassemble and check their weapon, that is true. Where I learned to take care of my weapons, we were required to be able to take them down and put them back together and able to function properly, blind folded. Test fire was not an option. Sort of a ZEN thing.
We cleaned our weapons a MINIMUM of twice a day in the bush, more if you were involved in any fights. Test fire was not part of the drill.
After a fire fight, orders were to take care of the wounded/dead if any and count heads, defensive positions when necessary, 50% of the rest of the troops were to reload their magazines and quick clean their weapons, then switch, and distribute any extra ammo. The NCO's & SNCO's checked their fireteam/squad's personal and heavy weapons if any and radio's. Then count weapons, ammo, radio battery's, etc...... Firing your weapons to see if they worked wasn't anymore an option then, than where I live in suburbia today.
Where I learned to fight, and did my post training graduate work, turning your light on in the middle of a firefight to fix your weapon, even under a poncho, was not conducive to a pain free existence.
Nothing wrong with test firing a weapon, but not very practical for most folks. Particularly those who carry a weapon for a living. Learn how to maintain your weapons properly is my best advice for any professional.
Good luck.
Fred
meanmrmustard
Member
Ha! Me three. Nothing more relaxing than a Sam Adams, CLP, and a bore snake!
chieftain
Member
Used to be the old Hoppes with nitro, but okay, that works. I will bring the beer.
Good luck.
Fred
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Chieftain, got it right. ( Welcome home brother)
Long ago, in a far off land, a younger me learned to do right, and do it often.
The CCW of the day gets cleaned that night. I can do each blindfolded, not as fast as before but fast enough to impress the grandkids.
Im not preaching, Y'all do whats best for you.
ETA,
LOL, Dr Pepper for me, nothing better than cleaning guns and reliving the glory days with good friends.
Long ago, in a far off land, a younger me learned to do right, and do it often.
The CCW of the day gets cleaned that night. I can do each blindfolded, not as fast as before but fast enough to impress the grandkids.
Im not preaching, Y'all do whats best for you.
ETA,
LOL, Dr Pepper for me, nothing better than cleaning guns and reliving the glory days with good friends.
Last edited:
chieftain
Member
Doc, I can't do anything as fast as I used to.
Welcome home Brother.
Go figure.
Fred
Welcome home Brother.
Go figure.
Fred
Carry and self defense guns get cleaned after shooting and before being returned to defense activities. If I am ever involved in a situation, I do not want there to be any doubt that I did not fire the gun if in fact I really did not fire the gun..
Safe queens get cleaned shortly after shooting before being returned to their well earned retirement position.
Guns that I just shoot at the range, or match guns get cleaned periodically, generally after no more than 500 or so rounds. If i think I will not be using a particualar gun for a while, like when it gets too hot to shoot skeet, I try to get it cleaned before putting it away.
Safe queens get cleaned shortly after shooting before being returned to their well earned retirement position.
Guns that I just shoot at the range, or match guns get cleaned periodically, generally after no more than 500 or so rounds. If i think I will not be using a particualar gun for a while, like when it gets too hot to shoot skeet, I try to get it cleaned before putting it away.
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