cbmyers2007
Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2005
- Messages
- 114
I've heard people talking about putting 1000 rounds through these things w/o cleaning with no problems. I've probably put close to 150 rounds through mine so far..... When should I clean it?
How often should I clean my G17?
- Thread starter cbmyers2007
- Start date
- Status
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
(Moved to autoloaders)
Depends IMO how fastidious you want to be
I know of many Glocks that have had precious little cleaning and still go on truckin".
For me - I would certainly make sure ''carbon'' build up in and around bolt face was kept reasonable ... and also have slide running better than dry - just some light lube now and again. The bore seems not to mind how little it is cleaned!
For me? This type of gun? ..... probably every 500 or so would still leave me feeling at ease.
Depends IMO how fastidious you want to be
I know of many Glocks that have had precious little cleaning and still go on truckin".For me - I would certainly make sure ''carbon'' build up in and around bolt face was kept reasonable ... and also have slide running better than dry - just some light lube now and again. The bore seems not to mind how little it is cleaned!
For me? This type of gun? ..... probably every 500 or so would still leave me feeling at ease.
BADUNAME13
Member
I clean my guns after I shoot them.
Take care of them and they will take care of you.
Take care of them and they will take care of you.
possum
Member
+1
just because you can go that long dosen't mean you have too or should. my rule of thumb for handguns is if they are hd/sd, or carry guns they get cleaned right away after returning from the range and cleaned imaculantly.
all my guns get cleanned or at least wiped down after a trip to the range, but some get more love than others.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I might add - my comments were not recommendations per se ... I think regular cleaning is fine but Glocks in particular are noted for their resistance to needing cleaned.
There is such a thing too IMO as excessive cleaning - it can be overdone in as much as, it can go beyond necessary.
That said I did when starting in active handgun shooting religiously clean every range session ... that was 30 or so years ago and now cleaning has little or no thrill! It is just a chore that needs done.
No Glocks back then tho
There is such a thing too IMO as excessive cleaning - it can be overdone in as much as, it can go beyond necessary.
That said I did when starting in active handgun shooting religiously clean every range session ... that was 30 or so years ago and now cleaning has little or no thrill! It is just a chore that needs done.
No Glocks back then tho
The-Fly
Member
I clean after every range session. Mind you, I don't clean my guns to death. I just boresnake the barrels, use a nylon brush to get the crud off in various spots, and then gently lube.
Usually takes me 3-5 minutes to clean per gun (revolvers and AR's do take longer).
Usually takes me 3-5 minutes to clean per gun (revolvers and AR's do take longer).
Johnny B
Member
I clean immediately after every trip to the range simply due to the fact that I was made paranoid about pitting by an uncle since I was a pup. I have since found out that about 95% of what passes from his lips is in some way an exaggeration (we still love the guy), but I feel like it's a habit that can hardly do any harm. Plus, I just like knowing that my guns are clean, and that's pretty much all she wrote.
BADUNAME13
Member
You CAN wear out a gun with excessive cleaning...
This is why you must learn to clean them properly.
Most worn out guns are worn out due to the manner of cleaning, not from shooting.
-The last statement I have from a Trusted gunsmith, and my observations have lead me not to doubt the truth of the statement.
This is why you must learn to clean them properly.
Most worn out guns are worn out due to the manner of cleaning, not from shooting.
-The last statement I have from a Trusted gunsmith, and my observations have lead me not to doubt the truth of the statement.
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
+1
Duh!!
CountGlockula
Member
I clean a day or two after a range trip, because I end up going back to the range. The range is my refuge.
WeedWhacker
Member
While I don't doubt the truth of the statement, I can't see how it would be physically possible to add any wear at all to a firearm when using mild cleaners (such as CLP) and nylon brushes.
For tough jobs, I may break out the brass brushes, but never steel or anything harder.
Slvr Surfr
Member
+++1
BADUNAME13
Member
Most people do not use coated cleaning rods...
Some people scrub too much. (Military is at fault... I was issued a NEW M16 in Bootcamp, there was NO finish on the 6" barrel part 13 weeks later.)
-That habit took concious thought to break.
I have seen people use steel burshes, HARSH steel wool, I have heard people talk about sandpaper for taking off rust...
The general public is NOT as sharp as you'd think!
Some people scrub too much. (Military is at fault... I was issued a NEW M16 in Bootcamp, there was NO finish on the 6" barrel part 13 weeks later.)
-That habit took concious thought to break.
I have seen people use steel burshes, HARSH steel wool, I have heard people talk about sandpaper for taking off rust...
The general public is NOT as sharp as you'd think!
10-Ring
Member
IMO, if the pistol is your primary SD gun, clean after each time you shoot it. Why add a variable to the mix? Clean guns are more likely to function properly than dirty one so to me, a clean weapon is what I want to have handy if the need arose.
tbtrout
Member
every time you shoot it.
longeyes
member
Some level of cleaning--at least a Boresnake through a Hoppes-saturated barrel and CLP on breechface, etc.--after every use. Field-strip and serious run-through every few hundred rounds.
270Win
Member
I have made a habit out of cleaning every gun immediately after my range trip. I generally perform a light but thorough cleaning - not fully tearing the gun down or scrubbing with full force at every nook and cranny. It's treated every gun I own well so far. Done in this way, it's more like preventative maintenance - dirt and grime are never given time to collect and cause a bigger mess, or any other potential problem. The gun is MUCH easier to clean at this stage, also.
theken206
Member
every damn time you shoot the thing IMHO
Lonestar49
Member
Less is More
...
I'm certainly not PH'd in the art of Gun Maintenance, but I know less is more, as mentioned above, that one can wear out a gun with too much cleaning, or do more harm than good.
Basically, when I know my guns are cleaned, oiled, rdy for shooting, and after any shooting, I usually do some simple, quick cleaning doing the following.
I first spray a little cleaning solution on a Bore-Snake and run it thru 3 times.
Then I spray some EEX0X on the Bore Snake and run it thru 3 times and let the guns sit for some 5 mins, as I do the same to my other 2 guns.
Then I take a clean cleaning pad and gently swipe the barrels for the gu de gra, final spreading and removable of any excessive spread of all that went thru each barrel.
I also, remove the slides, and with either a cleaning pad, or Q-tip, do the same light cleaning of slides, etc.
Then I use another Q-tip, and put a dab of oil on it and swipe all the slide-rails, and other areas that need oil.
Last, I then take either the clean oiled Q-tip, or a dry clean Q-tip and smooth out all the oil and remove any oil from areas that really don't need it.
It all takes about 5 mins per gun, and it's done, they're clean, maybe not 100% perfect, but the key areas IMO, are, and it's worked, in that, none of my guns has had a FTF, or jam, which is a confidence factor that's worth its weight in gold, IMO.
I usually only go deep, with cleaning solvent, at around each 700 - 800 round mark, per gun, unless it's outdoor shooting in windy, dusty conditions.
In general, it's an easy inspection to see if any unusual wear and tear may be occurring, (which none has occurred thus far) but, if some did, or does, show up, to take care of it before something could really get damaged, or worse, go wrong.
IMHO, using only new Top brand ammo is a factor as well, as I don't do my own reloading, and using either Federal-American Eagle, or Winchester (white box) ammo helps in reductions of leaving over-dirty trails/deposits.
LS
...
I'm certainly not PH'd in the art of Gun Maintenance, but I know less is more, as mentioned above, that one can wear out a gun with too much cleaning, or do more harm than good.
Basically, when I know my guns are cleaned, oiled, rdy for shooting, and after any shooting, I usually do some simple, quick cleaning doing the following.
I first spray a little cleaning solution on a Bore-Snake and run it thru 3 times.
Then I spray some EEX0X on the Bore Snake and run it thru 3 times and let the guns sit for some 5 mins, as I do the same to my other 2 guns.
Then I take a clean cleaning pad and gently swipe the barrels for the gu de gra, final spreading and removable of any excessive spread of all that went thru each barrel.
I also, remove the slides, and with either a cleaning pad, or Q-tip, do the same light cleaning of slides, etc.
Then I use another Q-tip, and put a dab of oil on it and swipe all the slide-rails, and other areas that need oil.
Last, I then take either the clean oiled Q-tip, or a dry clean Q-tip and smooth out all the oil and remove any oil from areas that really don't need it.
It all takes about 5 mins per gun, and it's done, they're clean, maybe not 100% perfect, but the key areas IMO, are, and it's worked, in that, none of my guns has had a FTF, or jam, which is a confidence factor that's worth its weight in gold, IMO.
I usually only go deep, with cleaning solvent, at around each 700 - 800 round mark, per gun, unless it's outdoor shooting in windy, dusty conditions.
In general, it's an easy inspection to see if any unusual wear and tear may be occurring, (which none has occurred thus far) but, if some did, or does, show up, to take care of it before something could really get damaged, or worse, go wrong.
IMHO, using only new Top brand ammo is a factor as well, as I don't do my own reloading, and using either Federal-American Eagle, or Winchester (white box) ammo helps in reductions of leaving over-dirty trails/deposits.
LS
Jenrick
Member
I've personally gone about 850 with my G34 before cleaning. No malfs or other problems during that time.
The biggest thing with not cleaning a Glock after every session is to keep it lubed. The barrel and the slide rails all need a touch of lube on a regular basis even if your not cleaning the rest of the pistol regularlym IMHO for optimum perfomance w/ a newer pistol. A well broken in Glock will shoot just fine dry (for a while), but still runs better with lube.
The only area you'll really see causing a problem due to fouling is going to be the slide hold open. If you get too much gunk in the works it can start to stick and have trouble locking the slide back on the last mag if you've got weaker mag springs.
Overall clean your Glock at what ever round count makes you comfortable. These days as my G34 is my duty gun I usually clean it about every 400 rounds or so, about every two weeks. For me that's about when I should wipe things down with some hoppes, a patch or two down the barrel and I'm good. If you feel fine going 1K+ rounds, go for it, you sure wouldn't be the 1st person. If you feel you need to clean after every range session, you certainly wont be the 1st.
-Jenrick
The biggest thing with not cleaning a Glock after every session is to keep it lubed. The barrel and the slide rails all need a touch of lube on a regular basis even if your not cleaning the rest of the pistol regularlym IMHO for optimum perfomance w/ a newer pistol. A well broken in Glock will shoot just fine dry (for a while), but still runs better with lube.
The only area you'll really see causing a problem due to fouling is going to be the slide hold open. If you get too much gunk in the works it can start to stick and have trouble locking the slide back on the last mag if you've got weaker mag springs.
Overall clean your Glock at what ever round count makes you comfortable. These days as my G34 is my duty gun I usually clean it about every 400 rounds or so, about every two weeks. For me that's about when I should wipe things down with some hoppes, a patch or two down the barrel and I'm good. If you feel fine going 1K+ rounds, go for it, you sure wouldn't be the 1st person. If you feel you need to clean after every range session, you certainly wont be the 1st.
-Jenrick
the ABC's of reloading states that the salts from smokeless powder are corrosive to your barrel.
I wouldn't risk it, even though the glocks get a torture test, on my own gun. Just because you can take a 4x4 across a lake on TV doesn't mean I'll try it in my pickup.
I wouldn't risk it, even though the glocks get a torture test, on my own gun. Just because you can take a 4x4 across a lake on TV doesn't mean I'll try it in my pickup.
mb419
Member
I've got a Glock 22 that I've put around 5000 rounds thru, with the last 2500 without cleaning. It has yet to jam or malfunction of any kind, and is still just as accurate as when I clean it.
Granted, it's not my carry gun, but it is the gun on my nightstand.
If you are planning to carry it, I would recommend cleaning it after using it, but if you skip it once or twice, I really don't think you'd be putting yourself in harm's way.
Granted, it's not my carry gun, but it is the gun on my nightstand.
If you are planning to carry it, I would recommend cleaning it after using it, but if you skip it once or twice, I really don't think you'd be putting yourself in harm's way.
LeonCarr
Member
I believe the old saying is, "Don't let the sun set on a dirty gun".
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
4fingermick
Member
That was in the days of black powder arms Leon, if they were left dirty when the night air rolled in, they would draw moisture in and pit and rust and generally gum up.
Like the expression 'lock and load.' If you think about it nowadays it should be load and lock, the blackpowder arms were locked and then loaded.
If its a carry piece and you are going into harms way, clean is cool, otherwise pretty much when you feel like it, they will go the distance. What I make sure of is if it is hot, humid and you have been handling the piece with sweaty hands (or if other people have been handling it, don't know how sweaty they are) I give it a wipeove$r with an oily rag. Otherwise, when the fur inside builds up a bit too much, I give them a clean. I used to be very anal about it all, but over the years realised that I was wasting time, the gun didn't need it. With high power rifles, however, at those pressures, I am a claen after shooting guy. If I hunt at night under a spotlight, I wipe through regularly with oil to prevent corrosion from the night air.
Like the expression 'lock and load.' If you think about it nowadays it should be load and lock, the blackpowder arms were locked and then loaded.
If its a carry piece and you are going into harms way, clean is cool, otherwise pretty much when you feel like it, they will go the distance. What I make sure of is if it is hot, humid and you have been handling the piece with sweaty hands (or if other people have been handling it, don't know how sweaty they are) I give it a wipeove$r with an oily rag. Otherwise, when the fur inside builds up a bit too much, I give them a clean. I used to be very anal about it all, but over the years realised that I was wasting time, the gun didn't need it. With high power rifles, however, at those pressures, I am a claen after shooting guy. If I hunt at night under a spotlight, I wipe through regularly with oil to prevent corrosion from the night air.
- Status
