RetiredUSNChief
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And there you have it!
Should I clean it?
- Thread starter sappyg
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d2wing
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If you check on the benchrest forums the SOP is 100 rounds or between relays. If you need several fouling rounds you likely have other issues. It is your choice but every gun I have shot benefits from a break in routine for the first 200 or so rounds. Every used gun has improved with a good cleaning. Guns can be ruined by improper cleaning. With some guns and shooters it doesn't make any difference until it really falls off. Some guns can benefit from being a little dirty but not ones with good barrels. if you only shoot a box of shells a year it is not a big deal. but I would a least run a oily patch and a few dry ones or use a bore snake before storing it or once a year.
Ignition Override
Member
Yes.
Even though my pair of Yugo SKS M59s (not /66) are in excellent condition and often considered the toughest type of SKS, I don't want them or any other gun to Ever look like so many neglected guns which people try to get rid of, on gun show tables.
And these rifles are used only to zap plastic bottles on a river bank.
If it helps, playing music in the background or the old tv series "Combat" on Youtube can create motivation.
Even though my pair of Yugo SKS M59s (not /66) are in excellent condition and often considered the toughest type of SKS, I don't want them or any other gun to Ever look like so many neglected guns which people try to get rid of, on gun show tables.
And these rifles are used only to zap plastic bottles on a river bank.
If it helps, playing music in the background or the old tv series "Combat" on Youtube can create motivation.
Clean it? Not so much.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fil...j4&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8
When you actually shoot it regularly, no, it doesn't need extensive cleaning, or, much at all. The above reference is to the legendary Filthy 14, a carbine used as a loaner for course classes. Last I heard, it was over 60,000 rounds, just lubed and wiped down after use, and maybe two or three cleanings over years of use.
Cleaning is made too much of by an institutional need in the Army to find something for soldiers to do, and the obsessive requirements for long term storage of weapons. Most of it was institutionalized a hundred years ago in the service when it was absolutely mandatory. With stainless barrels, nitriding, coatings, and modern lubricants, cleaning one every time it's shot is tradition - not a requirement - for those guns made to modern standards.
Shoot a carbon steel barrel with untreated components and corrosive surplus ammo, tho, you are setting yourself up for a lot of work. Some choose not to by having a different approach to what we use.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fil...j4&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8
When you actually shoot it regularly, no, it doesn't need extensive cleaning, or, much at all. The above reference is to the legendary Filthy 14, a carbine used as a loaner for course classes. Last I heard, it was over 60,000 rounds, just lubed and wiped down after use, and maybe two or three cleanings over years of use.
Cleaning is made too much of by an institutional need in the Army to find something for soldiers to do, and the obsessive requirements for long term storage of weapons. Most of it was institutionalized a hundred years ago in the service when it was absolutely mandatory. With stainless barrels, nitriding, coatings, and modern lubricants, cleaning one every time it's shot is tradition - not a requirement - for those guns made to modern standards.
Shoot a carbon steel barrel with untreated components and corrosive surplus ammo, tho, you are setting yourself up for a lot of work. Some choose not to by having a different approach to what we use.
Arkansas Paul
Member
RetiredUSNavyChief makes a good point. If corrosion isn't an issue then your cleaning habits are sufficient.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
One should also keep in mind other mechanical issues than corrosion, remember. Corrosion is a good benchmark with respect to whether or not your cleaning habits are sufficient, but it's not the only one. I mentioned function, but wear is a long-term issue as well.
Lots of people focus on the short term...i.e., function and reliability. However, with proper care small arms shouldn't last just a few years or decades. They should last generations, and this long view is as important as any other consideration, when it comes to our heritage and rights.
Regardless...take proper care of your firearms and they'll take proper care of you.
Lots of people focus on the short term...i.e., function and reliability. However, with proper care small arms shouldn't last just a few years or decades. They should last generations, and this long view is as important as any other consideration, when it comes to our heritage and rights.
Regardless...take proper care of your firearms and they'll take proper care of you.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Absolutely.
No matter your view on cleaning the barrel, you should definitely keep the inner workings of the action clean and everything properly lubricated to reduce wear.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Here's another point of view that GoWolfpack and I were discussing a while back at work:
He's not as much of a "use it, clean it" guy like I am, and he brought up an interesting point with respect to function and reliability, especially with respect to his handguns: When you reassemble your gun after cleaning it, what assurance do you have that it'll REALLY work when you need it? After all, you could put a slide spring in backwards on some guns and it won't work right...and you're not going to find this out until you shoot the gun.
Much as I'm a "use it, clean it" kinda guy, he does have a valid point there and it's an honest consideration with respect to cleaning.
He's not as much of a "use it, clean it" guy like I am, and he brought up an interesting point with respect to function and reliability, especially with respect to his handguns: When you reassemble your gun after cleaning it, what assurance do you have that it'll REALLY work when you need it? After all, you could put a slide spring in backwards on some guns and it won't work right...and you're not going to find this out until you shoot the gun.
Much as I'm a "use it, clean it" kinda guy, he does have a valid point there and it's an honest consideration with respect to cleaning.
d2wing
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Good read Tirod. The AR is really designed to be self cleaning as that article says. That a weapon will often function without cleaning not what I was thinking of. I was thinking of high level of accuracy and preservation. Also most rifles are not designed to be self cleaning.
I suppose it just depends on what you have and what level of function you want.
I suppose it just depends on what you have and what level of function you want.
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sappyg
Member
I had forgotten about the filthy 14 rifle. 2" groups at 50 yards after 25k rounds ain't bad IMO. Loss of accuracy beyond that is surely due to the barrel being worn out and not from lack of cleaning.
For the rifle that is specific to my question I may run a patch or two through it and call it good.
From my point of view I'll use my truck as an analogy. I use and depend on my truck every day. I do not clean it every day nor do I change the oil every day. I don't need to. So why should I clean my rifle (or any gun for that matter) every time I fire it? There are a whole lot less moving parts subject to a lot less extremes. I'm not using corrosive ammo nor am I abusing the rifle. It works today just as it did when new. Actually it works a little better after the trigger job. I have had some guns break but non were due to a lack of cleaning.
For the rifle that is specific to my question I may run a patch or two through it and call it good.
From my point of view I'll use my truck as an analogy. I use and depend on my truck every day. I do not clean it every day nor do I change the oil every day. I don't need to. So why should I clean my rifle (or any gun for that matter) every time I fire it? There are a whole lot less moving parts subject to a lot less extremes. I'm not using corrosive ammo nor am I abusing the rifle. It works today just as it did when new. Actually it works a little better after the trigger job. I have had some guns break but non were due to a lack of cleaning.
d2wing
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I just remembered that several .22 s I have had or purchased did have failure related to cleaning. The lift in tube feed rifles is a weak point and crud in the action of semi autos can cause stoppages. Most bolts will function as long as they are not broken or parts like extractors are not packed full of crud.
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