Zach S
Member
I look at cleaning a gun every time I shoot the same way I do changing my oil every time I drive my car. And I go beyond the 3000 mile interval that most people suggest...
When I shot a lot, 5" guns would get detail stripped, cleaned, and a fresh recoil spring between 2000 and 2500 rounds. At some point in the middle I'd pull the slide off and clean the rails off with a rag. The detail strip is mainly for inspection purposes. 3.5" and 4" guns would get detail cleaned and a fresh recoil spring between 500 and 800 rounds. Anytime the outside world ends up inside my firearm, it gets cleaned regardless of round count.
Several things have cut into my rangetime in the past few years, so I clean and inspect once a year, usually around my birthday as I take the week off and get bored.
Some folks don't trust a dirty gun. I don't trust a clean one.
I've heard numerous numbers regarding recoil spring replacement, one of the most common seems to be about 5k. Hot or +p ammo shortens the lifespan. If you hear a "ca-chuck" after the boom its past time for a new one...
When I shot a lot, 5" guns would get detail stripped, cleaned, and a fresh recoil spring between 2000 and 2500 rounds. At some point in the middle I'd pull the slide off and clean the rails off with a rag. The detail strip is mainly for inspection purposes. 3.5" and 4" guns would get detail cleaned and a fresh recoil spring between 500 and 800 rounds. Anytime the outside world ends up inside my firearm, it gets cleaned regardless of round count.
Several things have cut into my rangetime in the past few years, so I clean and inspect once a year, usually around my birthday as I take the week off and get bored.
Some folks don't trust a dirty gun. I don't trust a clean one.
I've heard numerous numbers regarding recoil spring replacement, one of the most common seems to be about 5k. Hot or +p ammo shortens the lifespan. If you hear a "ca-chuck" after the boom its past time for a new one...
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