How often to clean
- Thread starter Ken C
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hotpig
Member
Many people clean their tools after every use. I do not but many people do.
With guns the general rule is the more they cost the less reliable they are dirty. My G17 is cleaned every 10k or every few years. Some of my 1911 are cleaned after every use.
With guns the general rule is the more they cost the less reliable they are dirty. My G17 is cleaned every 10k or every few years. Some of my 1911 are cleaned after every use.
doubleh
Member
Actually, not very often. You can see if the action is dirty and when it is take appropiate action. If you are shooting cast bullet loads and the accuracy falls off check for leading and get rid of it. I almost never clean the bore of 22 rimfires. I've been doing this for a long time and have had no problems. I do wipe down the exterior of the gun ever time it is used with paste wax or Pledge (it's still wax,just in a spray can) to prevent rust.
The Bushmaster
Member
If I shoot them, even one round, at least a dry patch then an oiled patch is ran through them. Yes...I clean my "expensive" and "cheap" firearms ever time I shoot them...
xring44
Member
When I get home from the range, mine are cleaned, maybe its because in my youth, some primers were corrosive, at least thats what I was told.
As one poster above mentioned, some guns REQUIRE cleaning to be reliable.
Its part of the game.
As one poster above mentioned, some guns REQUIRE cleaning to be reliable.
Its part of the game.
possum
Member
i clean all my guns after each range trip, especially the ones that i might have to use in a defensive sittuation, the ones that are not defensive handguns or rifles might wait a day after the range but that is even rare, if i shoot it i clean it.
Mad Magyar
Member
I do...I'm just a compulsive nut about such things...I couldn't sleep at night knowing my pistol was filthy....
putteral
Member
I shoot about as often as you do and I clean mine after each trip. But then again I'm retired, so time is no problem.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I wipe off the outside after a trip, clean every once in a while.
3rd Generation American
Member
I have always taken care of my tools and as guns are tools I take care of them too. So yes I clean after every trip to the range.
In this way I do not have to worry if it is time to clean or not and they are always ready to go.
In this way I do not have to worry if it is time to clean or not and they are always ready to go.
wnycollector
Member
I clean my guns after every trip to the range (twice/month in the winter and every week during the summer). I got into the habit when I started shooting mil surplus rifles and corrosive ammo.
Jackal
Member
I clean my guns when thier performance begins to suffer.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I clean every time I shoot then again the next day. Expensive or inexpensive they all get treated the same
10-Ring
Member
Modern ammo in modern guns would allow extended use w/o cleaning for at least several 100's if not 1,000's of rounds. But, if you are relying on one of these guns for SD/HD, or if something prevents you from shooting for an extended period of time, cleaning after very use just adds for the longevity and dependability of your firearms.
RNB65
Member
There is no correct answer to your question. You'll find folks from across the entire spectrum. Some folks do a detailed cleaning each time a gun is used. Some folks only clean when a gun begins to malfunction. And some folks do something in between.
The need to clean any time a gun is used is largely a holdover from the days when powder and primers were highly corrosive and would quickly damage barrel bores if not thoroughly cleaned right after shooting. Unless you're shooting old milsurp ammo, those days over long gone. Modern cartridges are non-corrosive and guns only need to be cleaned to ensure reliable operation.
The only guns I clean fanatically are the ones I use for self/home defense. They get a thorough cleaning and oiling after each use.
Other guns get cleaned just enough to ensure reliable operation. Handguns and bolt-action rifles get a quick wipedown and oiling after each use. Semi-auto rifles and shotgun I wipe out the inside of the receiver and make sure the gas ports are clean. I only clean my O/U shotgun ever couple of years since cycling is never an issue.
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The need to clean any time a gun is used is largely a holdover from the days when powder and primers were highly corrosive and would quickly damage barrel bores if not thoroughly cleaned right after shooting. Unless you're shooting old milsurp ammo, those days over long gone. Modern cartridges are non-corrosive and guns only need to be cleaned to ensure reliable operation.
The only guns I clean fanatically are the ones I use for self/home defense. They get a thorough cleaning and oiling after each use.
Other guns get cleaned just enough to ensure reliable operation. Handguns and bolt-action rifles get a quick wipedown and oiling after each use. Semi-auto rifles and shotgun I wipe out the inside of the receiver and make sure the gas ports are clean. I only clean my O/U shotgun ever couple of years since cycling is never an issue.
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W.E.G.
Member
If its a "recreational" gun I might let it sit for a bit.
If its a primary gun, I try to always clean it promptly.
Some guns need to be "cleaned" regularly even if you don't fire them.
Otherwise, they rust.
I try to stay away from "rusters" these days, except for a few special pieces I'll never let go until its time to pass them along to a special friend or family member.
If its a primary gun, I try to always clean it promptly.
Some guns need to be "cleaned" regularly even if you don't fire them.
Otherwise, they rust.
I try to stay away from "rusters" these days, except for a few special pieces I'll never let go until its time to pass them along to a special friend or family member.
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
Carry gun gets it no matter what. I clean it and re-oil it once a month even if I don't shoot it. I depend on it to work, and it depends on me to keep it clean.
My usual ritual is: get back from the range, secure the ammo, pop a beer and scrub 'em down. I don't clean them every time because I feel they need to be clean to function, I do it because I enjoy handling and cleaning them. It's meditative.
My usual ritual is: get back from the range, secure the ammo, pop a beer and scrub 'em down. I don't clean them every time because I feel they need to be clean to function, I do it because I enjoy handling and cleaning them. It's meditative.
chieftain
Member
Actually it depends on what purpose your guns are for.
If they are not for defense or fighting, they are officially toys and you can do what you will with them.
If you use a gun for defense/fighting, then it must be cleaned every time you use it.
Only an amateur would bring a dirty weapon to a gun fight. It must be maintained, lubricated when and if needed. Springs must be fresh and current. If your weapon has some known points of wear or weakness, those parts need to be replaced on schedule.
Every piece of the weapon should be closely inspected on a regular schedule. Ideally you should know every nook and cranny of your fighting weapons. And clean them every time you use them.
No excuses, remember Darwin awaits those who don't.
I can get very anal about weapons cleaning. Understand I did two tours in Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Division, and I was a DI in Hollywood. Myself I went through my boot camp at PI.
But that is where I am coming from. I have shot competitively on and off since 1957 from small bore rifle, bullseye/2700, to today I shoot Steel Challenge, IDPA, Bowling pins etc... I have worked for The Sheriff's office in my home county in Florida and Florida DOC.
That is where I am coming from. Where are you coming from beside rationalizations and excuses for not cleaning and maintaining your fighting weapons.
Please don't insult me, or yourselves with the myth of damaging a weapon by cleaning it. Not if it is done properly.
Decide for yourself, it is you and your loved ones that rely on that fighting weapon, not me. And probably it will work. I know mine will.
Go figure.
Fred
If they are not for defense or fighting, they are officially toys and you can do what you will with them.
If you use a gun for defense/fighting, then it must be cleaned every time you use it.
Only an amateur would bring a dirty weapon to a gun fight. It must be maintained, lubricated when and if needed. Springs must be fresh and current. If your weapon has some known points of wear or weakness, those parts need to be replaced on schedule.
Every piece of the weapon should be closely inspected on a regular schedule. Ideally you should know every nook and cranny of your fighting weapons. And clean them every time you use them.
No excuses, remember Darwin awaits those who don't.
I can get very anal about weapons cleaning. Understand I did two tours in Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Division, and I was a DI in Hollywood. Myself I went through my boot camp at PI.
But that is where I am coming from. I have shot competitively on and off since 1957 from small bore rifle, bullseye/2700, to today I shoot Steel Challenge, IDPA, Bowling pins etc... I have worked for The Sheriff's office in my home county in Florida and Florida DOC.
That is where I am coming from. Where are you coming from beside rationalizations and excuses for not cleaning and maintaining your fighting weapons.
Please don't insult me, or yourselves with the myth of damaging a weapon by cleaning it. Not if it is done properly.
Decide for yourself, it is you and your loved ones that rely on that fighting weapon, not me. And probably it will work. I know mine will.
Go figure.
Fred
My carry G23 is cleaned as soon as I get home from any range trip. As is the AR-15.
The CZ-40P and Ruger 10/22 and cleaned after every range trip, but it might be a day or two before I get around to it.
The Remington 870 and S&W 4014 get cleaned when I feal like it, to be honest.
The CZ-40P and Ruger 10/22 and cleaned after every range trip, but it might be a day or two before I get around to it.
The Remington 870 and S&W 4014 get cleaned when I feal like it, to be honest.
Dksimon
Member
I clean my .22 every time I go shoot since I usually shoot about 300+ rounds per trip. For my hunting rifles I usually clean them every third use or so.
jaydubya
Member
Every time. I might wait until the next day, but I'll dream of what is happening to my weapons because I waited. This is a good thread.
Cordially, Jack
Cordially, Jack
MarshallDodge
Member
I clean my .22's more often than anything. I watch my CCW (a 1911) to see how cruddy it's getting and it usually gets cleaned every other range visit. I shoot a lot of lead reloads and it can build up pretty quick.
On my Kimber Target I had been doing a wipe down, with a patch and solvent down the barrel. It had over 5000 lead reloads through it when I decided to detail strip it. Let's just say I won't do that again. It took me over an hour to get all the gunk out of it. Some of the issues were self inflicted by letting a little solvent get into the receiver everytime I cleaned it. Plated bullets would help as well.
On my Kimber Target I had been doing a wipe down, with a patch and solvent down the barrel. It had over 5000 lead reloads through it when I decided to detail strip it. Let's just say I won't do that again. It took me over an hour to get all the gunk out of it. Some of the issues were self inflicted by letting a little solvent get into the receiver everytime I cleaned it. Plated bullets would help as well.
jhco
Member
if its a gun that i expect a certain level of accuracy out of then i clean it every time i shoot it but other thing like my sks never get cleaned and glocks get cleaned if i have time but i always clean and oil the exterior
Feanaro
Member
Firing modern ammo, I've never had a gun rust or corrode from not being cleaned for a couple of days. Or a week. My SD pistol gets cleaned when I get home. Everything else is cleaned when I can, when I feel like it.
I don't bother cleaning my .22s much anymore, just give them a wipeoff.
I don't bother cleaning my .22s much anymore, just give them a wipeoff.
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