Why do people consider gun cleaning to be a chore?

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??

BR - re contents of cleaning stuff.

IIRC - at least way back - #9 contained nitro benzene - which also IIRC is a cumulative carcinogen/toxin thru inhalation, skin absorbtion etc. Still the case? Or am I wrong on that one?

Also - seems a fair bet with any gun cleaners, to assume cyclic compounds within - even chlorinated HC's ... none of which strike me as over ''friendly''. Maybe it is this also which stops me from unnecessary cleaning and very protracted cleaning sessions. I certainly do my best to minimize contact.
 
Probably going to anger some people with this, but none of my guns like being cleaned. The only thing I do to clean my .22 is wipe down the crown, the bolt and extractors, and I'm done. Most of the other shooters in my club are the same way, some haven't put a rod through their guns in the past 20 years. Be warned, these are .22 target rifles I'm talking about and we only do it this way because we know that's what our guns like. I would not even think about not cleaning the 1911 I'm going to get one of these days, or the various other guns. :D
 
On the chore scale cleaning guns is one of the best. It is on the chore scale however and not on the entertainment scale.
 
Because it is a chore. What is this, a trick question??
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly :)

I absolutely hate cleaning guns. I like shooting. I like looking at them. I like practicing and going to matches and learning about the history of firearms. I like owning guns. I like all of it.

Except cleaning them. It sucks.

- Gabe
 
fortunately for me cleaning guns is an evil task. my retardo roommate hates the smell of hoppes so when i want to relax in peace and quiet i just crack open the hoppes and start cleaning guns. good for about 3 or 4 hours of guaranteed solitude.

i dont mind cleaning guns. any of you want to send your dirty guns to me to clean, i'll do it for only the cost of hoppes and a big bag of patches. and just a bit of ammo as well. can't send ya back a gun that i don't know 100% is functioning!
:D
 
So maybe the answer for me is to buy more guns so I can understand the plight of extended cleaning session... I'm not opposed to that. Of course, I may just be odd, too. Consider that I spent two hours polishing my new set of oxfords a couple of days ago, getting a good shine out of them, even though it'll probably be 3-4 months before I'm in uniform again. What can I say, I take motivation from results, whether it's a toe cap I can see my reflection in, or a nice shiny bore.
 
I enjoy cleaning my gun. Go to my basement, turn on the stereo and away I go. Never timed myself, doesn't seem like it takes long and it's kind of a bonding time between me and my fire-arm :)
 
Years ago as a 18 year old Marine recruit, I learned the value of keeping my gear, and particularly firearms, "squared away". Twelve months in a rifle company in I Corps RVN and my weapons served me well without failure. To me, keeping my weapons in top notch condition it's a point of pride and readiness. Consequently, I don't see it as a chore but rather part of an honorable relationship I have with these deadly tools. "This is my rifle..."
 
Cleaning guns is just one of those things you do...

I look at it like this: If I'm just field-stripping and swabbing, that's like throwing a bag of popcorn in the microwave. But if I detail strip and remove every last bit of crud, re-oil, and maybe a bit more--that's like taking the time to season meat, cook it right, make a good sauce or two, boil potatoes, cook some veggies, and open a bottle of nice wine.

It's not the doing that's necessarily the fun part (which it sometimes is). It's what you have after-the-fact that you can sit down and enjoy. :)

It's also the same with sharpening knives. To not do it is just pure irresponsibility. Who likes a knife that can't cut or a gun that won't fire?
 
One time I went to an eyeball/shoot with folks I met online. I brought nine revolvers and used them all.

Cleaning nine revolvers (54 chambers and 6 barrels) IS a chore.
 
This thread reminds me of a story my father told about cleaning weapons during WWII.

It seems that everyone was setting around cleaning their rifles and complaining about it when one guy says rather enthusiastically that when he gets out of the army he is going to buy one of these rifles.

Everyone chimes in with the usuall comments etc and someone ask him "What the hell for?"

His answer was "I'm going to set it by the back door and piss on it every time I go in and out and watch it rust."

Vern
 
P95 - through the power of the interweb, you too can research the carcinogenic and other toxic effects of chemicals. And nitrobenzene as far as we know isn't definitely a carcinogen, though it is probable. More tests are pending.

OK, I'm taking the BR method of cleaning from now on. I always wear some old clothes when I clean anyways - old shirt and slacks, toss in wash when done.

Or alternatively - does anybody know of any low-toxicity cleaners? How effective is that Slip 2000 stuff, and how "safe"?
 
Might as well do it right. Here, again,are some tips:

I've used this procedure on all civilian guns for over 30 years, except that I don't think I had Breakfree and Rem-Oil for the whole time:
1. Clean with Hoppe's #9, one of the smells of freedom, the other being burnt JP-4, or Breakfree aerosol (carburetor cleaner works almost as good), depending on how dirty the gun is.
2. Saturate with WD-40 (no, I've never had a problem) or Rem-Oil, whichever comes to hand first.
3. Wipe off thoroughly with cotton rag and Q-tips and slotted tip/jag with cotton patches. Get chambers bone dry (oil can kill primers).
4. Drip tiny drops of Hoppe's gun oil on points of wear.
5. For autos, put a little dab of a good grease like Rig (or the old black Outers/Garcia stuff) on the slide rails and any bright spots.
6. Apply very thin coat of Hoppe's gun oil in barrel using a wool or cotton mop.
7. Thoroughly wipe off any excess.
For magazines and moon clips, I use only Hoppe's #9 and dry thoroughly. Absolutely no oil, it can kill primers.
In the military we used milspec bore cleaner and LSA. Worked great. If you're on a budget get some of these at a surplus outlet and you'll be OK. Lots of guys have used thin motor oil or transmission fluid for gun oil with good results too.
 
Why do people consider gun cleaning to be a chore?
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In my case because:
> I have less time available to me than I used too. At least it seems that way.
> As I've gotten older I've developed sinus problems and the smells of the solvents and lubes irritate them. (But so does shooting in indoor ranges)
> When I get home from shooting I have to clean the guns, clean the brass and prepare it for reloading. Put up all the shooting stuff. And all that takes time.
> Becasue I'm stuck doing this in the basement with poor ventilation. The house is too small and I have no space available up stairs to do it. (I'm serious.)
> Because I'm in Illinois and if I took it outside for ventilation I'd have every LEO in Sangamon County at my house pointing guns at me.

Other than this, it's no chore at all.

J:cool:e
 
from the MSDS sheets (online Material Safety Data Sheets):
http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/NI/nitrobenzene.html

Nitrobenzene:

"Highly toxic. May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Possible carcinogen. May cause reproductive disorders Skin and respiratory irritant."

Sitting around cleaning guns with nitrobenzene solvents will certainly expose you to inhaled and skin absorbed exposure. Now, to be honest, the MSDS people tend to way overstate the danger of many chemicals... sometimes to the point of absurdity, however it is usually better to be safe than sorry. I do know that lab animals have come down with kindney and liver problems due to expose to nitrobenzene, so use at your own risk. My biggest worry would be that where there's nitrobenzene, there's probably some plain jane benzene around, and that is some NASTY stuff. I've seen experienced organic chemists pause before considering the use of bezene, which is carcinogenic/toxic enough to warrant its replacement with toluene.

I haven't checked on what they are still using in Hoppe's #9, but if it also contains halogenated hydrocarbons, those can be really bad too. They're pretty much all carcinogens and should be avoided.

I don't know how well the nontoxic cleaners work... even if they are a pain to use, it might be more convenient than donning a hazmat suite every time you clean your guns. Seems that every effective cleaning agent out there is toxic... remember good old carbon tetrachloride? Guess why they don't clean your carpets with that anymore. :what: Oh yeah, you know what one of the easiest ways to remove lead fouling from a rifle bore? ... wait for it.... wash it with... mercury. :eek:
 
I used to find it a chore because I expected I could do it quickly and easily when I first started shooting.

Now I found that isn't the case, especially with a revolver. My semi-auto doesn't take as long, but I still take the time to make sure it's done right.

The Break-Free Powder Blast works wonders for me! :)

Since the revolver doesn't get carried daily anymore, it's usually cleaned about once every month or two. The semi-atuo gets carried everyday, so therefore it's wiped down daily to clear any dust and lint, and cleaned every week to two weeks.

All guns are always cleaned after shooting them.

I either do them at work (one of the security contracts I work pretty much allows me to sit around and do whatever), or sit at home in front of a good TV show or movie and relax.

I'd say the revolver takes me about 2 hours. The semi-auto, usually less than an hour.

Either way, the end result is always worth it! :D

-38SnubFan
 
I usee to enjoy it as well. Now it's just a pain. I like to do it right - and right takes a lot of time- which I no longer have. I don't mind it if it's only one or two...but six or seven is a bit much. I shoot them one day and clean them over the course of a week.
 
I am meticulous with my cleaning, if the swab is still coming out dirty... I keep going. I restrict myself to 3 guns tops when going to the range... some are easier to clean... a glock takes next to no time, while a 1911 is still a pain for me to strip and clean to perfect condition. I usually do it right after a range trip, but now I put it off for a few days sometimes. my full auto mac 10 .45 gets a good lubing before every outing just cause I think about the sort of beating it gets in every day use.
 
If they made an FP-10 air freshener, I'd buy it.

I like to clean guns for several reasons. It's simple & threapeutic. I like clean, well maintained guns. I love the smells.
 
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