To clean a gun barrel, start by removing any surface debris. Use a clean rag for simple dust or range dirt, your cleaning solution and a rag for caked-on debris, and scrub lightly with an oiled piece of steel or brass wool to remove rust. The exterior of a gun barrel can help prevent long-term damage from rust and dirt buildup. A properly clean gun barrel is crucial for accuracy and reliability.
To clean the outside of a gun barrel, use a gun cleaning brush or a cloth soaked in gun solvent to wipe away any dirt or residue. Be sure to use a clean, dry cloth. The best way to prevent rust from forming on your gun barrel is to keep it clean and dry. After each use, clean the barrel with a soft cloth and gun oil. Store the gun in a dry place.
There are various ways to remove rust from a gun barrel, but the best method will vary depending on the severity of the rust. For light rust, use a commercial cleaner, such as Tetra Gun Oil/Inox or Ballistol, or brush with a bronze or nylon cleaning brush to loosen heavy carbon fouling. Hoppe’s is also an anti-rust product.
For cleaning the bore and outside of the barrel, wet a patch with gun oil and wipe down the outside of the barrels. Use a cleaning rod, caliber-specific nylon or copper bore brush and bore jag, a nylon bristle brush, a bore guide, clean cotton swabs, bore solvent, and other tools.
For cleaning the chamber and barrel, dry brush the chamber and barrel with a copper-phosphate (or nylon) bore brush in a chamber to muzzle direction. Apply some bore cleaner on a cleaning patch and use a cleaning rod with a jag, brush, or patch holder.
📹 Remove Surface Rust From a Gun Barrel (EASY!)
Have any guns lying around that might have been neglected? You may notice a layer of surface rust forming all over the steel.
Should you oil outside of a gun barrel?
To maintain the functionality of your gun, it is essential to oil the inside of the barrel with a firearm-specific oil. This not only protects the barrel from rust but also helps dislodge grime and insects. A thin layer of oil is particularly beneficial for long-term storage and neutralizes any remaining solvents. After cleaning the gun with solvents, it is recommended to oil the barrel with a thin layer of oil.
Always follow up with a dry patch through the barrel twice. If the firearm has been in long-term storage, wipe it out again before firing the first shot. This simple process ensures a clean and functional firearm.
What can I use to clean the outside of my gun barrel?
Learning how to clean the outside of a gun doesn’t require special polishes or soaps. Some gun owners use WD-40 and a clean rag, while others use traditional methods like Rem Oil, Inox, or Lanox. However, don’t load the gun with too much cleaning agents to avoid a greasy or slippery residue. Wipe down the gun thoroughly to shine its finish and remove fingerprints. Keep the gun lightly oiled to avoid dry patches and be aware of excess oil or surface rust, as these can affect the gun’s performance.
Can you use WD-40 to clean a gun barrel?
WD-40 is acceptable for cleaning guns, but it should not be a habit. It can remove moisture and dry out the gun, but it’s crucial to use an actual gun cleaner to clean away the coating left by WD-40. It’s also important not to use WD-40 as a gun oil, and apply a manufacturer-recommended lubricant and protectant regularly. Owning a firearm is essential, and a high-quality gun safety class can teach you how to clean it correctly. Gun Safety Training Pros is committed to providing the best gun safety course online. To learn more about safe firearms ownership and gun handling, contact them at (email protected).
Can you use Dawn soap to clean a gun?
Gasoline and kerosene are dangerous cleaning agents for guns due to their flammability and potential damage to the gun’s finish and protective coating. Dish soap and water can also be detrimental to the gun, leading to corrosion and rust. However, Brulin 815GD concentrated cleaning solution is an exception, as it is approved for use with an ultrasonic cleaner that contains rust inhibitors.
When purchasing new or surplus guns, it is crucial to clean them before use due to the presence of Cosmoline, an oily substance used to protect the weapon from moisture and rust. If the gun has been stored for a long time, Cosmoline may turn into a waxy substance, making it harder to remove. To remove Cosmoline, spray WD-40 over metal and wooden parts, using rags and paper towels to wipe it off.
If a heat gun is available, set to 125 degrees Fahrenheit to melt away the waxy Cosmoline. Use rags and paper towels to continue wiping it off. If an ultrasonic bath is available, disassemble the firearm, place the pieces in stainless steel baskets, and place them in the bath. The cavitation in the water will quickly wear away the waxy cosmoline, allowing the gun to be cleaned quickly. It is essential to dry and lubricate the gun after cleaning.
Should I put CLP in my barrel?
The use of “CLP” lubes in all maintenance events can lead to more frequent jams and fewer rounds in guns. This is because the gun oil cleaners and flushes better than it lubricates or protects, making it less optimal for gun cleaning. Additionally, CLP lubes act as a debris magnet, attracting sand, dirt, dust, and debris to gun parts. This can result in future stoppages and firearm failures, as the oil’s ability to attract these elements can lead to a less optimal lubrication treatment. Therefore, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks of using CLP products in the first place.
What is the best oil to put on a gun barrel?
Eezox is a gun lube known for its superior ability to prevent rusting, using a proprietary dry lubrication formula. It is effective against dust and other contaminants, and comes in a spray can for easy application. Corrosion X, a specially designed formula called Polar Bonding, is specifically designed to prevent rusting on any metal firearm. It creates a strong bond with the metal surface and cuts through fouling. Available in spray applications and small nozzles, Corrosion X provides full coverage on any type of firearm, from machine guns to assault rifles, ensuring every inch is covered.
What is the item used for cleaning gun barrels?
Bore brushes, Jags, and Loops are tools attached to the end of a cleaning rod, each with its own purpose. Bore brushes are used to remove build-up on the inside of the gun barrel, while Jags and Loops use patches to pick up mess. Jags stick the patch on the end, while Loops push the patch through a needle-like hole. Each pass of the patch must be replaced to avoid repeatedly pushing the same gunk through the barrel.
Ultrasonic gun cleaners are a smart investment, as they can clean more thoroughly than manual hand cleaning and have the correct options and chemistry. However, WD-40 is not recommended for greaseing guns, as it leaves a waxy residue that can collect dust and grime. To keep a gun in the best condition, various chemicals should be used after cleaning. These include:
- WD-40: This is a waxy residue that can collect dust and grime.
- Jag: This is a small, round patch that can be used to remove gunk from the barrel.\n3
Does it matter which way you clean a gun barrel?
Clean tools from the breech, unless you can’t access the back of the barrel. Use a coated, one-piece cleaning rod with Teflon or other non-abrasive finish to prevent wear on the rifling, especially around the chamber throat and rifling leade area. One-piece rods don’t have flexible joints that rub unevenly against the rifling inside the barrel. Carbon fouling can be removed quickly using cleaning patches on an appropriate-size cleaning jag.
If copper isn’t a concern, use a mild solvent like Hoppe’s No. 9 and brush with a bronze or nylon brush to loosen heavy carbon fouling. Hoppe’s is also an anti-corrosion agent and can be left in the bore as a protectant.
Which end of a barrel do you clean from?
Clean from the chamber end and avoid sticking anything down from the muzzle, except in emergencies. Always clean with the barrel sloped downward and wrap a patch around a brush smaller than the caliber you are cleaning. There are three basic types of cleaning solvents: Powder solvents, Abrasive cleaners, and Copper solvents. Powder solvents are designed to dissolve and soften carbon deposits, and Gunwerks uses KG 1 Carbon Remover. Other quality products are available, and it is essential to use the correct cleaning solvents when cleaning.
What is the best rifle barrel cleaner?
The article discusses the importance of gun cleaning solvents in hunting and shooting gear. It highlights the need for cleaners, such as Break Free CLP, FrogLube Extreme, Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent, Barnes CR-10, Ballistol, Shooter’s Choice MC-7 Bore Cleaner, Lucas Oil Extreme Duty Bore Solvent, and Shooter’s Choice Maximum Strength Copper Remover. Gun cleaning solvents can rank low in the hierarchy of hunting and shooting gear, but they are still important.
The author, who spent over five years working at a local gun shop, observed that many hunters would bring in their rifles for cleaning before the gun opener, and then run a bore snake through it for good measure. Many of these return customers would also complain about missing deer due to malfunctioning guns, garbage ammo, or broken scopes. The author believes that many of these mishaps could have been avoided if they had taken care of their gear, including cleaning their guns.
Can you over clean a gun barrel?
Overcleaning your guns is a common issue, and it’s important to focus on proper gun maintenance rather than just cleaning. Instead of just ramming a brush in the barrel and hosing the bolt down with solvent, take a quick look at every part of your weapon, including the charging handle, optic, and battery-powered devices. Cleaning a gun is only a part of gun maintenance, and it’s crucial not to spend all your time picking carbon off a lug when the bigger picture is more important.
Clean breach to barrel, as the crown, the last part of your weapon that touches the bullet, can be crucial for imparting a list touch of spin for a more accurate shot. Avoid cleaning barrel to breach and use barrel snakes for quick cleans to avoid jacking up the rifling or other parts.
Overzealous cleaning can damage small parts in your gun, such as rings and springs, causing irreparable damage. Use high-quality oil and rag to wipe away loose carbon or debris, but use picks and scrapers with extreme caution. While scraping away carbon may remove some carbon, it’s also possible to scrape away the component’s finish, setting the stage for even more damage down the road.
Lucination is even more important than cleaning a gun, as it runs better wet than dry. Debris will get caught in the oil and cause problems, so make sure your gun has the lube it needs to cycle smoothly. By practicing better gun maintenance, you can prevent overcleaning and ensure your firearm runs smoothly and efficiently.
📹 Smyth Busters: How Often Do You Have To Clean a Gun (Really)?
“You’ve gotta clean that gun after EVERY time you shoot it!” Your mother may not have said that, but chances are some trusted …
Thanks I found 3x shotguns when magnet fishing at a local river 2 of them are sawn off and one a full double barrel,I’ve cleaned them good but been stuck at the rusted parts so will get some of these to try get the rust off but I’m uk so might be hard to get as we have very strict gun laws & gun accessory laws but I’ll get there some day
Hello Cody.. I was gifted an old JC higgins pump shot gun. It too, is extremely tarnished, heavily oxidized. But not pitted barrel. I don’t believe it was blued from the factory? Idk that for fact, maybe all firearms are. But if not, do you recommend another procedure for cleaning/restoration? Thanks for any info 😊
Letting go of the feeling that I had to clean my gun after every use really made gun ownership much more enjoyable to me. We recently moved to the country where I can shoot all my guns right in my back yard. Prior to that, going shooting was an “event” that took hours, was expensive and had to be planned for in advance. After hours of dealing with going to the range, I felt the need to come home and clean everything. So I started going less and less. There’s nothing more enjoyable to me now than wrapping up work, grabbing one of my guns and heading out to the woods to shoot 100 rounds or so. When I’m done, the gun goes right back in the safe, and I go about my day. What used to feel like a 3 hour “chore” is now just a 30 minute fun activity. I’ll eventually clean my guns when they need it, and it will take me a little longer since they’re more dirty. But man… the 10 times I went shooting in between are much, much more enjoyable.
I think for a lot of us veterans, cleaning your weapon after going to the range is something that’s deeply ingrained in us. I can’t come home after the range and not expect, even to this day, a mythical drill sergeant yelling over my shoulder to clean that weapon spotless. After serving in the military, even though it was a long time ago, I have to field strip whatever I shot and clean it to parade inspection standards. This means the cleaning patch comes out spotless after going down the barrel and there’s no carbon anywhere. Love the article and keep ’em coming, but this is a habit I can’t get away from. If it gets fired, it gets cleaned.
I’m new to the world of AR-15s, and I took the Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle course last year in Vegas. We ran the living hell out of our guns without much chance to clean them unless you did it after school. Everyone’s gun ran fine. I’d open mine up for a quick & dirty lube job & get back in the race. 1000 rounds in two days. When I got home I detail stripped my rifle & thoroughly cleaned it, but since last year I’ve shot it occasionally & just ran a bore snake down the barrel & lubed the BCG. Good to go! Thanks for the helpful articles!
I was taught by my father to clean my heirloom 30’06 after shooting it every time when shooting surplus military or older ammunition. He explained that the primers – especially the old mercuric compound primers – chewed out the barrel big time and if I wanted to look after that weapon – clean after use each time. He also noted that modern primer compounds were a lot more barrel friendly and such rigorous cleaning wasn’t necessary. Looking at the comments – a lot of the “Clean after shooting” advice came from our fathers and I wonder if it a hangover from this origin? Hi from NZ.
The “truth” changed when we went from corrosive primers and corrosive ammunition to modern less corrosive or non corrosive ammunition and components. When we went from steel and wood to aluminum and plastic your maintenance load also went down. The M1 advice is good for a pinker / shooter but not for a competitive gun because dissembling and reassembling the M1 can change POI at longer ranges. Many high power shooters dissemble the guns much less frequently than each shooting session. Caveat I’m not one of them so this is based on only what I’ve been told.
Thanks for another great article. It took me years to get over the shoot-then-clean habits I learned at Ft Benning back in the 80s. These days I go to the range once a month if I’m lucky and I’ll clean my ARs twice a year. I’m still experimenting with one of my Glocks. I haven’t cleaned it in a year and it is still running like a champ. Unfortunately I know my 1911s need more religious cleaning than that…
Great advice, I am one of those crazy people that love to take their guns apart and clean them lol. After each trip to the range no matter how few or many rounds I fire when I get home I tear the guns down and clean them. My brother thinks I’m absolutely nuts ( lol ), he cleans his maybe once or twice a year. And both my brother and you guys are right guns don’t need to be clean after everytrip to the range. But for the crazy people like me that’s just part of the fun of shooting guns is keeping them clean lol.
I typically clean after every firing session. I agree that it isn’t required, but the fear of having my Marine Corps drill instructor from 40 years ago bursting through my bedroom door and dragging me out of my bed keeps me from going to sleep with a dirty weapon! I just can’t take that chance! Semper Fidelis!
I run my guns really wet, and clean them every time I shoot. When you do it this way, they wipe clean with absolutely no effort. Re-apply lube, and you’re good to go! I know modern guns can go thousands of rounds without cleaning, but once it dries and cakes up, cleaning is much harder, and I enjoy cleaning my guns, knowing how they work, checking on wear, and just plain taking care of my expensive stuff… they’ll last 100yrs if abused, who knows how long they’ll last with good treatment.
Thank you for your practical insights. I can think of another case in which I always clean my gun after shooting (or at least prior to use); that is a duty gun. I don’t want to take any risk, even remote, of a malfunction for any reason when lives are at stake. Since I work on our church security team and train weekly, my duty gun gets a cleaning before Sunday worship every week.
I used to be super OCD about cleaning out every possible speck of carbon from my guns. Nowadays I’ll run an oil saturated patch through the bore a handful of times to soften up whatever carbon is in the bore and to pick it up with the oily patch, then I’ll run a nylon brush through a couple times to get rid of any super sever carbon chunks in the rifling followed by dry patches until they come out clean and dry. Then I’ll throw a very lightly oiled patch through to protect the bore and call it a day. Any exposed metal capable of corroding without protection gets wiped with a rag saturated in gun grease after which I wipe off the excess and when I’m done the metal (and whatever finish it has) is left with a beautiful shine and sufficient protection against ambient moisture and any of the rainy weather that I’d ever stay out in. So far, nothing I own has had even the slightest bit of surface rust occur.
This is good news for me. Cleaning has been a royal PITA since I started shooting at age 5 when my dad started me out shooting his sidearm he carried when he was an officer in the Army in Europe from 1940 to 1946. It was a Remington Rand 1911 .45, built in 1936, and I still have that very gun today, and it is in mint condition. I have other guns too, and after a trip to the range I have been compelled to clean every gun inside and out (it has always amazed me just how dirty the firing pin and extractor holes get 🤔). I would LOVE to be able to give my guns just a cursory external cleaning and save the full disassembly/solvent/oil/reassembly for every fourth or fifth trip to the range. I’ll give it try. Thanks for the informative article!
How often do you go to the range to fire just a few magazines? Like I don’t even bother unless I’m going to shoot a couple hundred rounds at least. But part of that is knowing that if I shoot it, I’m going to have to clean it when I’m done. Not shooting at all means I don’t have to spend an hour or so cleaning it.
I love taking them apart and cleaning them. Something I do even to the safe Queens at least once a year or more if I am just in the mood. I find it relaxing. Hell if I don’t have any that I need to do, friends and family are more than happy to have me do theirs which I totally enjoy since I get a chance to take apart makes and models I may not have.
I’ve become gun specific with my regimen. Long range precision bolt gun only wipe down exterior each use and clean action and powder clean barrel about every 2-300 rounds. Hunting bolt guns wipe down exterior each use and clean barrel once at end of season. Semi autos get gas and actions cleaned each use, barrels cleaned each 2-3 uses. I find the semis like clean gas systems and actions. As always, great show!
I’m one of those that was raised and trained to clean and oil my firearms after every use. And personally I like the habit or routine. It only takes a few minutes to run a brush and a couple rags or a snake through the barrel and wipe it all down for a quick, basic cleaning. I only break them completely down and do a thorough cleaning once or twice a season unless I’m instructing someone else. To me it’s all part of the entire firearm experience and its rather meditative to me as well.
I clean after every trip for 3 reasons: 1. I was in the Marines and that was the first standard I was taught 2. I actually enjoy taking my weapons apart / cleaning. Plus, they are easier to clean when less rounds have gone through. 3. I get a chance to inspect my equipment for any wear / damage / oddities
To me, the question is actually this: Would you rather stake your life on a gun that has been recently maintained, inspected, and lubricated? Or, something that has been fired a number of rounds. If duty called, and I needed to grab a rifle or hand one to a friend; I’d always prefer one that is cleaned and ready for war. Sometimes Dad’s advice should be followed.
Glad to hear you guys mention Lubriplate. A MG owner clued me into this engine rebuild lube years ago and at around 7 dollars a tube, it’s really slick and sticks. I typically use Kerosene, lamp oil or Stoddard’s Solvent as a cleaning agent, as modern FMJ ammo is noncorrosive and pretty clean, epecially compared to the corrosive military ammo of the past-John in Texas
I feel not cleaning a gun, like an AR is a good test for it. To see how far it’ll run until you start having issues, then you’ll know your limits with said gun. That being said you will have maximum reliability with a squeaky clean and lubed gun, but in the case where you may not have the opportunity to clean for a while (or lazy) its nice to know the limits. I just bought a Taurus tx .22 and shot it straight out of the box 500+ rounds all suppressed before I had cycling issues. Now I know to clean it before that 500 mark.
I fully agree with this article. That said, I still clean mine every time after the range, not because the guns need it, but because I want to keep up the habit and practice of cleaning the gun. Also, it’s a ritual for me, where I can veg out listening to people like yourselves talk about guns while I am cleaning.
Sometimes I pull a gun out of the safe just to clean and inspect it because it has been months since being used. I want to ensure no rust. I also clean and inspect my carry gun monthly. Don’t want lint or rust in that one. And as so many have said, the ritual, the smells and the quiet of cleaning a gun is good for my head.
It’s not just muzzle loaders that use black powder, some people shoot in in cartridges too(like .38 special, and especially stuff like .50-70, .45-70, .45 colt, etc) so if you do that you better clean every time. And another thing is if you’re using smokeless powder but with corrosive primers it should be cleaned every time, although the consequences of not cleaning tend to be way less than with black powder.
The purpose of my “cleaning” regimen is mainly just to get a fresh coat of oil on the insides to prevent corrosion in case some time goes by before I shoot the gun again. You’re right that most guns don’t need to be cleaned very often at all. A lot of the scrubbing and abrading that most people do is likely shortening the life of the gun. I’ll shoot 1000 rounds and be happy just pulling an oily bore snake through a few times and then brushing the bolt carrier and receiver with an oily toothbrush. You don’t need to do anything else. Maybe check the firing pin website for grime every now and then.
Retired maintenance manager from a S&P 500 company. Over maintenance is a real issue. Taking equipment apart for inspection, cleaning and calibration will wear out the equipment. Stop doing it because (enter armed services division name) made you do it. That comes from the government bureaucracy that push the unrefined M16 into service in the 60’s. No chrome barrel with dirty powder to push 5.56 600 meters. We all clean a little too much because “it may be an issue when we need it to go bang.” That is not a reality for 99.99% of us citizens. Lighten up Alice, enjoy shooting.
Gentlemen, I absolute love, enjoy and learn from this series . . . Thank you and keep ‘en coming. I truly don’t know whether to be ecstatic or disappointed by this busted myth. I was raised — I’m 75 and I have been shooting for a LONG time — by my FBI firearms instructor father that a thorough field strip, cleaning and lubrication was MANDATORY ever time a round was fired. But, based on this article, I’ll feel comfortable in being somewhat more lax, although my beloved dad will roll over in his grave.
Personally, I think it depends on the amount of usage. If it’s a gun you don’t use very often and it’s going back in storage for several months after you use it, it’s probably a good idea to clean it. If it’s something like a varmint or target practice gun that you use several times a month to a couple of times a week, then you probably only need to clean it once in awhile. But it also depends on your area, if you live in a humid or high rainfall area, then you probably should clean it more often.
As always, you bring good information to the table. That being said, a firearm is a tool and I don’t readily put dirty tools back in the drawer just like I don’t put dirty firearms in the safe for storage. For me, the barrel always gets cleaned and oiled, BCG always gets a disassembly, cleaning/inspection/oiling and reassembly, trigger mechanisms and recoil systems see less cleaning, usually every three months or so. Does all it happen the second I get home from the field, rarely do I feel so spry after driving back and forth to the shooting hole, but within a day or two that all gets sorted.
All depends on how you we’re taught older people we’re taught after every outing they need to be cleaned and a light coat of oil wiped over the gun so no rust .for your long range precision rifles after every use a fast wipe down with a damp oily cloth. a little build up helps fill in any imperfections in the barrel when the grouping starts to get inconsistent thats when its time to clean it
+1 on the M1, dad and gramps strict, clean and lube even after a just a clip . . . for me, there’s once through w/ cleaner and lube necessary parts (like boresnake w/ cleaner thru barrel, lube slide, lube charge handle and bolt etc), then there’s a quick clean (solvent, brush, then lube). ANd once a season / year, take it all apart and clean.
Lots of comments here on an old article I just watched. But I wanted to throw this in. I believe I heard this in the movie “Lonesome Dove”. The old Mexican cook said something to the effect ” A blade is like a woman. You have to stroke it regularly” . Well, I think that applies to my firearms as well. I’m not cleaning… I’m stroking.
Great article fellas! And you are correct! You don’t need to break down and clean your weapon every single time coming home from the Range or a Hunt. I DO agree with your point of training in the rain, mud, snow, etc. YES clean your weapon. Using your weapon to sturdy yourself from falling into the drink? YES clean your weapon! And I would like to add another not so common reason today to clean your weapon…CORROSIVE PRIMERS…! I.E. “Corrosive Ammunition.” Not a problem by todays cartridge industry standards but a lot of your surplus ammo can be corrosive. I can’t tell you fellas how many times friends of mine would go out and fire their Mosin Nagant’s and then put them away without cleaning and oil…nothing but rust and pitting in the barrels 3 months later…
If using corrosive ammo, definitely needs to be cleaned with the correct solvent or water-based solvent, preferably two days in succession. Otherwise if using good commercial or modern ammo, run some Hopps#9 down the barrel a few times, wipe fins tnf internal mechanism, and lightly oil the outside of the firearm. I refrain from field stripping a firearm too often as this loosens up the parts and it is not necessary!
I’m not one to mag dump 500 rounds a session. Sometimes I shoot 50 rounds over the course of 2 hours. So I have no qualms going without cleaning after every single range trip but I frequently inspect my gun. The least I’ll do is run a bore snake after every trip but I make sure to do a deep clean before I hit a couple hundred rounds since last cleaning.
I would say that the very back of your bolt on an AR-15 that is not nickel boron should be cleaned every time along with the hole that it rides in. I remember in the army that after 40-60 rounds there is plenty of carbon building up on the back of the bolt. I don’t clean my own ARs to army standards, but I do keep the back of the bolt clean of carbon because if I need it to go bang, I don’t want to worry about it.
Simple cleaning after every use, full cleaning after 500 to 1000 rounds ( depending on the type of firearm ). All depend on the environment that they are being used in, mud, rain, dirt, sand, dust etc. Carbine deposits and build up can cause problems. If you use it, clean it. It’s not a big deal to clean a firearm, but a dirty firearm can fail to perform properly. Gun powder resin is abrasive and can wear moving parts. Use your own judgement. We clean after every use.
The habit…in the context of history…is a good one started with the use of black powder which you know is very corrosive. However, I do not discharge my muzzle loader after hunting…I don’t shoot a tree when I leave the woods. What I do do is wipe it down because of the condensation and swab the barrel with bore lube until the next time day when I go out. Interestingly, once that next day was a year later. It fired fine. Why? Stored in a mild dry place did not upset the powder’s ability to do it’s job. After all, the pioneers and frontiersmen didn’t keep an unloaded smoke pole over the fireplace for looks. As far as the other guns and post use cleaning I agree. May I add, its a good thing to take them out of the safe a couple times a year. A spider nest egg can draw moisture and do some pitting. And also, it nice to just pay your investments a nice visit now and then.
The ar-15 is similar to the 1911 in that the lube is as if not more important than the cleaning. That being said, I have been shooting a psa basic ar pistol with nothing but steel case to prove a point. I’m over 4000 rds and not a hiccup 1. The trigger is gritty, and it’s filthy, when it fails I’ll let ya know lol.
It’s different with every single gun. Once you are familiar with a weapon they all seem to have their own personality. Some like to be thoroughly cleaned and some really don’t care. But I think you should be that familiar with your weapons individually and that comes from training and use . I keep an oiled rag in the safe and always wipe down the outside of everything before I put it away. It takes about 10 seconds and the oils from your fingers and sweat from holsters are never good on surfaces for long periods of time. I have been using the same quart of Mobile1 synthetic for about 10 years on internal parts and I wipe down with a rust preventative gun oil of whatever is laying around. Works for me so far. Only thing Ive ever worn out are a few recoil and buffer springs from many thousands of rounds.
The rest of the story. Some guns require frequent cleaning. Ammo has a lot to do with it. I had a Ted Williams 20 ga auto. A new england single action six shooter 22. Both required constant cleaning to keep from jamming. About 20 rounds for the 20 ga. About A box of 50 for the pistol. About A Ruger single action; 22/22 magnum. The 22 cylinder would get where the shells wouldn’t push into the cylinder. Less 150 rounds. A Winchester 22 auto rifle the same way. Don’t get me wrong. I also had a 30/40 Craig. A Mossberg 500 12-gauge and 410. A Ruger Blackhawk 357. Ruger security six double action 357 Magnum. That never failed.
I clean my guns often, nearly every time I shoot them because I was taught that growing up. Not complete break downs but barrel, magazine and bolts and recievers and the actions… major parts and then after so many rounds through the guns I break them completely down and thouroughly clean them. So for me keeps all my guns functioning every time I pick them up to use them and why have a collection of guns if they are not clean enough to shoot? LOL! Spent a fortune for guns… and have to earn the money to pay for them… and want them to function for their purpose… well keeping them clean helps keep replacement cost down… and also my father was a Military Officer and he hammered me about taking care of all the things in my responsibility zone of life under his roof…seemed extreme to me when I was young… but when I got older understood better his point of view… LOL! A clean gun is a safer gun to shoot… and on and on… he would say… LOL! Interesting article… thank you for creating it…
I am not a gunsmith. But…..The Semi-Auto that I might CARRY, the one that might be for self defense, I clean every time I shoot it, to keep it READY. ANY Semi-Auto can JAM at any time if it is dirty. But my practice guns, I clean them “as needed”. Revolvers, I clean less often, I do wipe them down, but I clean them “as needed”. “As needed” should work for everyone. If it ain’t dirty, don’t clean it.
I don’t entirely disagree but I think that there are enough people out there who are shooting old surplus ammo which may be corrosive that there needs to be a caveat about that. Also, several times I’ve discovered minor problems with my guns while cleaning them and if I had continued to fire them that way, parts would have been broken rather than just requiring re-tightening or Loctite, etc. Finally, some guns can get VERY dirty quickly (like those firing cheaper .22LR ammo, or ones that operate by blowback – even roller-delayed blowback like the HK91/G3). If you don’t clean them often, you end up with a massively worse cleaning job when you do clean them, as the carbon deposits can become somewhat hard. I don’t clean absolutely every range trip with modern ammo, but maybe every 1.5 (2 out of 3 times) and I just do a very quick job (disassemble, spray everything down with CLP, including the bore, run a boresnake through several times, wipe everything off, then reassemble).
I’ve always done a field strip and clean on every firearm I’ve owned, after every visit to the range, and thought I was doing good. Then within the last year I had an alarming experience with both my Glocks. Now I do a full detailed clean once a month, regardless of use. I have a G30 and G23, both Gen 4’s. I alternate between the two as my EDC’s. Both firearms are relatively new, had less than 1.5k (maybe even less than 1k) rounds through them, and had worked flawlessly during every range visit. It was many months between my last range visit and the more recent visit where I would discover that neither firearm worked anymore. At sometime, between visits to the range, both firearms stopped functioning. I was alternating in carrying non functioning firearms and had no clue. During a full detail clean of both firearms, I found in both firearms, a “build up” in the firing pin chamber and the firing pin safety chamber. After the cleaning both work again as they should. Lesson learned.
I do love taking apart my weapons and cleaning and inspecting them as well it is enjoyable. BUT I was always taught you don’t HAVE to do it until you’ve gone through 800-1000 rounds without a cleaning (so a handful of range trips) and like they said in the article that’s modern firearms that are in good shape to begin with not grand dads old 12 gauge that’s been in the attic for 50 years and so on and so forth
Here’s what’s amazing to me with the “no need to regularly clean guys”. All of you, YES ALL of you say the same thing: “no need to clean it until it starts to malfunction OR accuracy starts suffering “. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Are you guys listening to yourselves? You wait until it’s so freaking dirty that the weapon is unserviceable??? This is why you keep the thing clean. AND……regularly cleaning is 100X easier than after you have excessive buildup which requires a ton of work. Let’s not forget the primary goal of our weapons are self defense. Waiting until it malfunctions or is inaccurate could cost the life of yourself or family member. -USMC Combat Vet AND Primary Marksmanship Instructor Keep them clean and stay alive ffs
Very good to know. Bought an FNX .45 Tactical and I clean it after going to the range but I definitely didn’t see any severe build up this time around and was questioning how necessary it was. Either way I don’t mind it, and I like knowing that it’s clean and all for the next range session. Open to your thoughts on this, and the potential of lead risk you may be at if you aren’t cleaning your firearms…. It’s not like I eat off of it but I take lead warnings seriously
Firearms, like boots, or a truck, are meant to be used. Being a little dirty doesn’t hurt them either. Unless you’re shooting corrosive ammo or are serving in the military, you’re just wasting time and money. Plus as your collection gets larger and larger, cleaning every gun after every shoot just becomes unfeasible.
There’s no way in hell I would ever clean my guns every time I shoot them. That would be just as silly and impractical as changing the oil in my car every time I drive it. Ain’t nobody got time for that. In either case, I’ll check the oil and add a little if needed, but that’s it until I reach a certain number of miles driven or rounds fired.
LOL as an avid dove/quail/duck hunter, I clean my main shotgun once a year when I’m done. So from sept 15 til mid feb, it’s a filthy mess. I start shooting clays again around June/July to get back in the motion and I’ll clean it before then so I work out the cleaning bugs on clay. I have found that with gas operated guns, they jam more “clean” than if they’ve been cycled and worked. I’ve put 10,000+ rounds through this specific gun and it’s still tight. I have a pump winchester model 12 that also has ~10,000 rounds through it and when you pull the trigger, the slide comes back because the previous owner was a nut about keeping it clean and oiled. Put me in the camp of “the more I clean it, the more problems I have” or “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” at least that’s been my experience…
I am glad to hear this. You can’t imagine how much guilt I carry around thinking I don’t clean my guns often enough or we’ll enough. Now in my older years, I finally have a shop/gun room in my basement where I’m much better about keeping them clean but years ago when I was in school I’m embarrassed to say how long between cleanings
Well for a gun you shoot often I agree, but if it’s not gonna be shot a whole lot, I think it’s better to be clean .My dad told me just like you said … I was always taught to take care of my stuff so it will last .. Guns, Cars, whatever, maintenance! So I usually do clean my guns after shooting Especially my Damascus BBL doubles ..I do have Dad’s old Winchester Model 50 auto in 12 ga. that only gets cleaned once or twice a year . That is my go to shotgun for varmints and Stellar Jays. These Jays are theives and steal our outside mouser cats food off the front porch . When you interrupt their threir meal they start squalking at you in that horrible screech . I tell ’em, Hey ! I pay the taxes here at this here ranch not you! So I say a prayer,Lord ifin y-all don’t want me to kill this blue jay you created,please shut him up and make him fly away ! Amen Sometimes they shut up and sometimes they are sent to BlueJay Hell. My buddy says, that’s not sporting why don’t you use a 4-10 or a pellet gun? Nope I say that gives them too many chances .. With a 12 ga they only get 2 chances …slim and none ! You guys are doing a terrific job on your website .. Well Done!
I don’t like the feel of the gritty trigger after a few hundred rounds of the cheap stuff. Cost is getting a little better but still 5X what is was a few years back. Takes 2 seconds to break it down and give a light clean. When I shoot the steel case Winchester it really junks up things fast. Best I found is 600 rounds of .9mm at .24c a peice, I bought the guns to shoot and to enjoy and shoot lots of ammo every day, hey if they wear out ill buy a few more as it is now we still have our 2nd ammendmant thank god and thanks to the guys over at Brownells. Stay safe everyone.
It is known in the military, weapons and weapon systems are cleaned, inspected, maintained and lubricated after each use. With the vast amount of Veterans and military families, as well as being raised in ‘taking care’ of the things you have…the concept of cleaning after each use had become a second nature aspect. To me, the concept of build up from lubrication, burnt powder and unburnt powder remaining in the working mechanisms of an action and chamber flute, such as misfeeds, jamming, misfunction of internal springs and levers. The grossest falicy I have observed/witnessed is in the LEO community. As a former Police Officer, I have on a few occasions been issued a weapon that had not been cleaned for a long period of time prior to it being presented to me. Evident, by the caked on carbon build up that became challenging to remove. As well as the conditions of other Officers weapons. In as much, to depend on these tools to protect yourself, fellow Officers and the general public…I believe that one should take the highest possible care of their weapons. Literally, lives depend upon their proper function.
I accidentally read the instructions and then treated my parts with Frog Lube many, many moons ago, and because of this I only have to do a quick wipe down every thousand rounds or so. I don’t see any excessive wear at all even though I’m STILL nervous about how dry everything looks. I guess time will tell.
I think it depends on what type of ammo you use and how much you go through at each range session. The more carbon build up you have and the longer you leave it on, the harder longer it is too clean. I don’t know about you but I rather clean gun before the carbon gets cakes on. And if you use a CAN forget it. it will be a nightmare to get it clean if its an AR any type of weapon. It make my range day easier if I clean them the same or next day. My EDC pistol gets a wipe down looked over and re-lubed every range session matter what… But god forbid the day you’re depends on it and it doesn’t go bang you have only yourself to blame. for thinking it cool to clean you just at 2-3k rounds. but you do you.
When I lived in Florida, I cleaned and oiled my guns after every use so they wouldn’t rust. Having lived in the very arid West for few decades, not so much – with the exception of my EDC handgun and fighting rifle which get bi-monthly and monthly preventive maintenance, respectively, to ensure they’re ready to go out of the holster/safe. I think the clean it after every use trend is left over from black powder days. You had to clean your musket or Kentucky Rifle!
My father, a soldier, taught my brother and I marksmanship and weapon maintenance. In JROTC I was taught weapon maintenance and in the Army I was taught weapon maintenance PLUS I was also a Unit Armorer. All of my instructors stressed cleaning your weapons after using it and I inspected the weapons before securing them. If it was dirty I gave it back and told them to clean it. I never failed an inspection.
Thanks, im new to shooting and barely have anyone to turn to for stuff like this. Just 1 friend, and my step father whos a cop. I picked up guns on my own, and im the type to google/youtube up everything i need to know (youtube university) when starting anything. now i can be a part of a new kind of self taught generation that doesnt clean their guns very much 🤣🤣🤣
Love you guys you’re obviously Patriots the way I look at it as if you’re going to spend a bunch of money on something you should take care of it also guys if you just keep putting dirty guns in the safe then look at all you’re going to have to hire somebody to come and clean all your guns or you’re going to have to spend a couple days depending on how many guns you have I mean when I take an hour apart to clean it and I clean it really good
I always clean my shotguns after a clay shoot meticulously, ie bore, action, chokes and make sure all wear points are greased on my o/u hinge pins. With my .22’s i don’t run my barrels through every time, maybe every couple of hundred rounds or so but i always clean the carbon/lead deposits from the crown and remove the silencers before storage.
I spend 99% time shooting 1% cleaning. I run least 10k rounds through my primary a year and it might get fully stripped once during that. It’s a tool. I don’t care about scratches. Scuffs. Mud. Dirt. Train hard. Run it hard. Stuff breaks replace it. I absolutely hate cleaning guns. My edc pistol gets the same abuse but I do clean it a little more often
Being retired army and my dad instilling in me to clean your firearm after every use, it’s difficult for me to understand why you wouldn’t clean it after every use. I can still hear my dad asking if I cleaned my rifle after a morning of hunting. He’d say, don’t be lazy, you used it, you clean it. He’d even tell my mother not to do my laundry or wash my dishes. He’d say you like dirty things? Ok. We can do that.
I worked at a gun store and range for a bit, and I was just cleaning the rental guns non stop. I hated cleaning guns ever since then. Now I don’t even care to clean guns after every shooting session. My Glock has 1000+ rounds through it (10,000+ total life), and still functions with reliable accuracy. Some of my other guns can’t function as well if they’re dirty. It’s a case by case basis, but generally, I don’t care to clean them as much unless it’s my carry gun.
In my experience as the proprietor of a small shop in SE Iowa about the only really dirty firearms I encountered were .22 autos, slide and/or lever actions that were so crudded up to the point of being barely to completely inoperable. And it was about a 50/50 split in the cause between the “never cleaners” & the “always cleaners” – by which I mean those guys who scowered the bores, knocking more crud into the actions, which they almost invariably only had a modicum of actual cleaning followed by copious amounts of lubing, causing the expected results over time. (Over lubrication also was also a “fix” frequently employed by the never cleaners too once problems began to develop.) I seldom encountered any of these rimfires with any actual broken parts/mechanical malfunctions save firing pins ruined through dry firing. Running a very distant 2nd was MilSurps damaged by corrosive primers. Even rarer was a shotgun abused in the manner you guys noted. I did occasionally get some pumps/autos with mangled magazine springs ruined by Game Warden inspired plugs, lol! I thought when I moved to the “big” city (Des Moines) I would get a lot more varied & interesting work. Which I did. But I also got a proportionate increase of dirty .22’s also. So I strongly recommend cleaning your .22 RF’s – properly & throughly – every 500 to 1,000 rds. PLEASE!
I don’t clean my guns every time. I started that way but it didn’t make sense when I realized by the looks and operation of my guns that I was overdoing it, and somewhere along the way I read about a Remington 1100 that went for a record number of years not being cleaned at all and it still worked perfectly. I decided to slow down on my cleaning based on my experience, but it’s good to hear this perspective from some experts. 👍
It depends how much you care for accuracy. I was good friends with a professional shooter and he said that cleaning the bore after more than 5 shots makes a difference. I have tried and agree. Most AR style guns are more resilient. However, I am big on keeping the best accuracy for my deer hunting rifles.
I think the quality of ammunition you use is a factor too. I’ve shot some cheep stuff that left my barrel, spring, and internals looking like I dragged them through the coke dust from a smelting plant. Conversely, I’ve shot higher quality ammo where I think it actually left the weapon cleaner! (Joking)🤣 When I was in the Navy we were required to service our weapons after every use (when we had down time), even if it was after only a single visit to the range. These days I tend to clean/lube every 200-400 rounds of range shooting (depending on ammo and weapon type – my shotguns get TLC more frequent than my handguns). Some weapons get more TLC depending on their age and how they operate when “dirty”. If a weapon hits the dirt/mud/water/etc. it gets cleaned ASAP. After awhile you get a feeling for when your weapon needs cleaning and lubing, just don’t wait so long that you end up damaging your weapon through neglect. Good (and safe) shooting everyone! 👍
Great article!!!🙂👍I’m new to firearms, less than 2 years, and only do target shooting at a shooting range for enjoyment. I bought 2 semi-automatic handguns, a Stoeger STR-9 9mm, and a Browning BuckMark Pro-Target 22lr. Really love both of these handguns. I really don’t mind cleaning them, but I was wondering in numbers of rounds fired through them, how many rounds maximum approximately is typical to shoot through them before problems might come from lack of cleaning??? Thanks.
I live in a humid area and I’ve noticed very significant rust even pitting develop on old surplus guns that sat for a month after shooting without cleaning. And that was with non-corrosive ammo. Now every plain steel barrel I bore snake at least once after shooting and every blued or worn finish steel I wipe with an oily rag. I’ve never had an issue with new guns tho
I would think this would depend upon the individual guns in question. New guns should require less maintenance, but may be fussy (like with newer cars requiring thinner viscosity oils because of tighter mechanical tolerances). Further, if one cleans a gun frequently, especially if it is new and little used, how can one know how reliable it is since it is always performing under optimal conditions?
This kinda confirms something I felt instinctively but having so much time in the Army, it’s pounded into your brain, clean you weapon every time you fire it. Thanks for relieving those nagging thoughts in my head. That said, I keep them clean so they’re at the ready for immediate & prolonged use at a moment’s notice. That’s just me.
I used to do it religiously after every range outing but then it dawned on me these things are built to run 100’s… 1000’s of rounds. My running 50 -100 rounds through rifle&pistols one weekend is a nothing burger. I will say I do run a bore snake through(ensure barrel is clear nothing that will cause catastrophic failure) and occasionally will put cpl drops of lube on rails, bolt carrier etc etc
Old guy here, myth or no myth (I love your articles) but I brush my teeth twice a day, I wipe my butt after every crap, I shower my nasty body twice a day…..and neither one will save my goat smelling ass in a pinch (and yes I am former military and law enforcement)…..yes, I clean my weapon after every use, same as I use toilet paper and toothpaste and soap. No disrespect just saying…. again, love your articles but some things never change with old farts like me.
I usually clean my pistol after a day at the range. But a full day of training and practice at the range usually consists of 300 to 500 rounds. The thing is, the pistol I train and practice with is my EDC and I want to make sure it is cleaned and lubed at all times so I know it will be as reliable as possible if God forbid I ever had to use it. I don’t want a failure in a life or death situation because I got lazy and didn’t clean and lube it. I can do a full strip down, clean and lube in 10 minutes. A field strip, clean and lube in 5 or less. So it!s time well spent for piece of mind.
Nice article, first time seeing this and you both seem knowledgeable when it comes to firearms. Me personally, I do clean my guns every time I shoot but I think it’s because of the things that I was taught growing up from my father but even more so when I served in the military. During inspections and things of that nature everything had to be clean, folded properly and dress right dress as they used to say. Fast forward to now where I have been out of the military for 30 years ago last month to be precise and my wife picks on me because I am a neat freak as they say. She says I am OCD but I am okay with that. I also take my weapons apart so that I can get used to field stripping them, it makes me get to know my firearms better so to speak. Anyway you got yourselves a new subscriber!
Thanks fellas. Like many folks lately, I went out and got a few pieces, Sig P365 and an AR15. However – never ever been a gun guy. After the summer of 2020; and then a few weird instances in my neighborhood happened when my kids were at home doing online schooling, I told myself it was time. Got my conceal carry license and have been trying to practice and learn my new equipment to the point I can solve any issues on the spot and protect me and my family. This article answered my most nagging question – do I really have to clean all this shit after unloading 3-4 mags at a range, maybe once month? I just can’t afford massive amounts of ammo to be practicing every month, let alone every few weeks. Thank you for help. Also, I’ll check out your page – but with all the nonsense in the world today, I really would like some advice, guidance or discipline in carry my AR daily with me. Me, my wife and kids all work and go to school at different areas of town, and if SHTF real quick and I don’t have enough time to go home; suggestions as to how to ensure my protection is near by seems like a reasonable concern. It’d be cool if you folks did a vid such as that. Anyways, thanks again
if you take no other advice, take THIS ADVICE. NEVER CLEAN YOUR GUN WHEN YOU ARE INTOXICATED. ALWAYS REMOVE ALL AMMO FROM YOUR MAGAZINES DURING CLEANING. this may seem excessive or superflous but it could save your life. you will naturally become distracted during the boring process of cleaning so ensure you are clear headed and have NO ammo in your mags to prevent accidental discharge
So the myth is you HAVE to clean it after every use? No, you don’t. But why wouldn’t you? You have down time, make sure it’s going to work the next outing. And who waits until there is a problem before cleaning? That, sir, just makes no sense. I’ve also come across rifles which barrels weren’t broken in yet (because most don’t know how), and let me tell you, a broke-in barrel cleans SO easily. No you don’t HAVE to, that myth is busted, but I heard some nonsensical practices in this article. Dip your weapon in the water to steady yourself?? And where is the muzzle pointing during all of this? What is in the water that could potentially ensnare ‘sensitive controls’? “That’s not your daddy’s shotgun, cowboy!”
I respect your professional opinion understanding you are talking from a “plinkers” position. My guns are tools I use to defend my family and myself every day so waiting until it is at the point of failure is not an option for me. I clean it every time. It makes sure it is in optimal fighting condition and allows me to inspect parts to stop failures before they happen. Plus, there is no good reason to NOT clean them.
You do not have to clean rifles. Period. I have an Ar15 that has shot thousands – maybe 10k+- and I’ve never cleaned it. Ever. 10+ years I have a tiger 10/22 that I have NEVER cleaned, EASILY 100,000 rounds through it. I have a 20g pump I’ve never cleaned, ever, and easily has 10k plus rounds through it
I clean my handguns, revolver or auto after every range day and my carry guns every 3/4 months because of lint and dust accumulations. Got into target shooting with .22lr. I clean these after each range trip but have heard from avid fans of long distance. 22lr that they don’t clean their barrels for weeks, if not for months, claiming that in the long run an uncleaned barrel holds its accuracy as apposed to a fresh, clean, barrel. Your thoughts PLEASE. Thank you, looking for professional advice..🤔🇺🇸
“You’ll find out”. That’s what my sergeants (Vietnam combat vets) said, when I asked why they were yelling, “Bang Bang Bang”, and laughinh in a war game fire fight (Alaska). I DID find out! After returning to the base, from 8 weeks in the wilderness, we were allowed to leave, only after our M16s were well cleaned and turned in to the armory. Theirs were fast/easy to clean. Mine was full of gunk from the MANY blank rounds (Thought I was Rambo) and the barrel plug that makes blanks function. Nothing left that barrel/action. Took hours to clean it enough for the Armory Sergeant to accept it for turn it, so I could go. Next time out, I was, “Bang Bang Bang!”
Good reasons TO clean an AR-15 every time: 1) So I remember HOW. 😉 2) If I cannot clean for some reason, I know it will not stay dirty for long. 3) You mentioned this, but cleaning is also our (me/wife) social time and post-shooting learning discussion time. 4) Check screws, nuts, or anything else that may have come loose. More important for my Browning Buckmark, frankly, but that habit carries over. Love this website, and this list particularly. Keep it up!
Corrosive ammo; black powder; I clean before putting it away for any extended time. Not usually if I’m going back out the next day. Others, well, I have a groundhog problem and I used to clean it after each dispatch event. Now, if that rifle goes on a 10 minute groundhog hunt, it goes right back into the safe when done. What about the .22LR? Are they also ok to set a while?
Well, 30 years in law enforcement, I’ve seen stupid officers wipe down their duty weapon, Sig Sauer, because of the dreaded weapons inspection. And guess what happened? Their beloved Sig wouldn’t function, and had he left it dirty and oiled, it would have worked. Then there’s the buddy who was dispatched to a gun/burglary call. Officers had to shoot, but my buddy wasn’t involved in the shooting, but his Glock 17 was dirty, and he was questioned as to why he shot at the man. He had to explain in detail why. So, in law enforcement, my duty weapon was always clean.