How much CLEANING do modern firerams really require ?

[CaseHardened]

I read that modern ammunition is not corrosive. Not the Smokeless Powder, not the Primer.

Now I understand that bare metal is protected from rust by oil - though even then, chromed bores and stainless steel may not benefit from oil at all.

So why are we cleaning our guns so often ?

Is it really necessary ?

 

[krishmartin]

You are right enough. There are lots of products used to clean the guns. But the most important and impressing things for me is to check out my gun is working well. For this purpose, I clean my gun very often.

 

[spat]

Once every few months should be more than enough unless you are putting many thousands of rounds through it, maybe just once a year for a safe queen.

Just my opinion.

 

[Depick]

I actually like the smell of ballistol so I clean mine after I use them

 

[oc shooter]

Modern ammo may not be corrosive but some of the range stuff is truly dirty. I try to shoot once a week and don,t reload so I,m using winchester white box or something similar and I can say that stuff is dirty so I try to clean my guns after every trip to the range. May not be the day of but before the next outing

 

[Bananabandit]

I usually clean after I shoot. Not necessary...but I do it. Minimal required at best

 

[CaseHardened]

I have a UBERTI Cap & Ball Replica Revolver.

It's NEW - and although we all love NEW, I typically much prefer USED but gently used.

The reason, of course, is USED is less expensive - and I HATE shooting a NEW gun - I can immediately visualize hundreds of dollars of MY MONEY sprouting wings and flying away.

Anyhow, there are damn few avenues open to me where I can shoot a Black Powder firearm, anyways.

SO - I'd to play with it a bit by firing off a dozen or so PERCUSSION CAPS in it.

I've been told by some, that it would have to be cleaned thoroughly afterwards. Others say modern CAPS are non-corrosive, and oiling afterwards is just fine.

What say you ?

 

[NirvanaFan]

I probably clean the pistols once every few thousand rounds. I'm not sure if I've ever cleaned my Marlin Model 60 (semi auto 22). Centerfire rifles get cleaned every 500 rounds or so.

I clean and wax my wall hangers more than I clean the firearms I actually use.

 

[togmaster]

Clean and lubricate to ensure function and reliability at a minimum. Anything above that is up to you.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Not much at all. A good test for each of your firearms is to thoroughly clean them and then keep track of round counts. Run them until they fail. Not just a few hang ups hear and there but consistent failure. I think you'll find that with most of them you won't be able to shoot it enough to really worry about it.

 

[Jmac00]

I go by the rules a sniper once told me ~~~~ snipers like dirty guns. They clean the action, but nothing else

which, if you think about it, makes sense. at least to me, it does

 

[livingston]

From the comments section

Clay Klemm
I use Lucas Oil Outdoor products exclusively. I've used most of other lubricants on the market, I like the Lucas stuff the most. I was pleased that Lucas partnered with SIG, since I believe in their products. I prefer the Extreme Duty Gun Oil, but the grease and the CLP can work as well. I'm pretty bad about cleaning, which is a stark departure from what the military taught me. I typically clean every 5,000 rounds or so, or as needed. My carry gun gets probably a bit more attention, maybe every 1,000 rounds or so. These guns, and most other manufacturers firearms, will perform extremely reliably with high round counts. I don't clean the barrel, unless my groups are opening up. In 60,000, I haven't cleaned this barrel yet, and it holds extremely tight groups.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Cleaning serves a secondary purpose of inspecting the mechanicals of the firearm.

Cleaning's primary purpose is to remove abrasive components from the wear surfaces. Historically (and I'm guilty) people tend to over lubricate firearms which tends to make a firearm collect abrasive material prematurely. One also has to be aware that each firearm has it's own lubrication quirks. (1911's lube a lot differently than Glocks.)

 

[Podmonkey]

Guns are very expensive are they not? Why wouldn't you take all prudent measures to preserve your fireams as well as you can? I try to clean after every range trip. It shouldnt take long, I spend less then 10 mins on my pistols and around 15mins on my ARs, and that much onky because I'm diligent about scraping off the carbon from the bcg.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Think of it this way. How often do you clean the moving parts on your car? Your car goes through MUCH more stress than your firearm ever could.

 

[Podmonkey]

Think of it this way. How often do you clean the moving parts on your car? Your car goes through MUCH more stress than your firearm ever could.

Your cars major components are also lubricated by a pressurized, filtered oil system or are in sealed housings packed with grease. I also imagine you wash and clean the exterior and interior as well, eh?

 

[Uzi]

You are right enough. There are lots of products used to clean the guns. But the most important and impressing things for me is to check out my gun is working well. For this purpose, I clean my gun very often.

My guns cleaned so often I can used them properly and functional work good too.

 

[Jmac00]

I got a buddy that will clean his barrel after every shot, not kidding either. I'll shoot 200 rounds to his 5 LOL

 

[Podmonkey]

I got a buddy that will clean his barrel after every shot, not kidding either. I'll shoot 200 rounds to his 5 LOL

Well, that is excessive. In fact he is probably incurring extra wear on the bore doing that. I'll sometimes do 1k through my rifle in a sitting. Thing runs all that without a hiccup or complaint but is extremely dirty afterward, definitely needs cleaning. If I only put a few mags through a gun I may not clean it, or maybe just a quick wipe with a CLP rag.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Well, that is excessive. In fact he is probably incurring extra wear on the bore doing that. I'll sometimes do 1k through my rifle in a sitting. Thing runs all that without a hiccup or complaint but is extremely dirty afterward, definitely needs cleaning. If I only put a few mags through a gun I may not clean it, or maybe just a quick wipe with a CLP rag.

But does it need it? Does the rifle start malfunctioning? That's the point I'm trying to make. So yes like the car analogy people clean the body exterior and interior but do they ever clean the carbon out of the engine? You put oil in the engine but don't clean it out. You could do the same with a gun. Especially one like an AK. Of course eventually it will need to be cleaned but most people will either never shoot it enough or will clean it before then.

 

[Robin]

Why wouldn't you clean your guns? Probably the most common failures in weaponry is lack of and or improper lubrication. you take care of them and they will take care of you.
Robin

 

[Robin]

I have a UBERTI Cap & Ball Replica Revolver.

It's NEW - and although we all love NEW, I typically much prefer USED but gently used.

The reason, of course, is USED is less expensive - and I HATE shooting a NEW gun - I can immediately visualize hundreds of dollars of MY MONEY sprouting wings and flying away.

Anyhow, there are damn few avenues open to me where I can shoot a Black Powder firearm, anyways.

SO - I'd to play with it a bit by firing off a dozen or so PERCUSSION CAPS in it.

I've been told by some, that it would have to be cleaned thoroughly afterwards. Others say modern CAPS are non-corrosive, and oiling afterwards is just fine.

What say you ?

Seriously? Oh wait you're just blowing off caps? I'd clean it anyway, if only to make sure the nipples are clear and unobstructed, even primers leave fowling.
Robin

 

[CaseHardened]

Seriously? Oh wait you're just blowing off caps? I'd clean it anyway, if only to make sure the nipples are clear and unobstructed, even primers leave fowling.
Robin

Sure, just Percussion Caps for starters.

The first thing I do when I buy a Modern Firearm is I get some A-ZOOM Snap Caps. I want to check it that the Cartridges feed, how the Trigger feels, if the Safety functions, etc.

And only a fool would not put a Flintlock through its paces before loading it with Ball and Powder. You need to know that it will spark when it needs to. I never want to be trying to unload it.

 

[Chipperxd]

My carry guns, I clean after every range session. Not just to clean it but break it down to see if any thing looks out of order.

My range guns? I only clean them when I feel like it. I mean I wipe it down after the range session but don't break them down for a cleaning.

 

[Podmonkey]

But does it need it? Does the rifle start malfunctioning? That's the point I'm trying to make. So yes like the car analogy people clean the body exterior and interior but do they ever clean the carbon out of the engine? You put oil in the engine but don't clean it out. You could do the same with a gun. Especially one like an AK. Of course eventually it will need to be cleaned but most people will either never shoot it enough or will clean it before then.

In feild expedient conditions? A quality, reasonably maintained AR should be able to do 1,000 rounds or even more without any maintenance. Therafter dumping in some CLP should keep it running for another 500 rounds, maybe more. After 2,000 rounds the carbon build up will need to be cleared out. An AK will need less cleaning but yes, should still be done.

 

[Marine Cpl]

You are right enough. There are lots of products used to clean the guns. But the most important and impressing things for me is to check out my gun is working well. For this purpose, I clean my gun very often.

What oil do you normally use in your country, Commander zero?

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Shotgun: barrel cleaned after each use, wiped down with oily rag before storage. Gas operated shotgun: barrel cleaned after each use, gas system cleaned each 25 rounds-50 rounds max. Disassembled, thorough clean and oil at least once/year unless exposed to rain snow etc in which case cleaned after use.

Rifles: after barrel break-in, clean bore every 20 rounds. Wipe down with oily rag after each use before storage. Disassemble, clean and lube once/year (gas operated semi more frequently), except when exposed to inclement weather.

Handguns: clean bore after each 50 rounds, revolver scrub cylinder chambers and face also. Wipe down with oily rag after each use. Disassemble clean and lube as necessary.

 

[Podmonkey]

Shotgun: barrel cleaned after each use, wiped down with oily rag before storage. Gas operated shotgun: barrel cleaned after each use, gas system cleaned each 25 rounds-50 rounds max. Disassembled, thorough clean and oil at least once/year unless exposed to rain snow etc in which case cleaned after use.

Rifles: after barrel break-in, clean bore every 20 rounds. Wipe down with oily rag after each use before storage. Disassemble, clean and lube once/year (gas operated semi more frequently), except when exposed to inclement weather.

Handguns: clean bore after each 50 rounds, revolver scrub cylinder chambers and face also. Wipe down with oily rag after each use. Disassemble clean and lube as necessary.

Wow, that well exceeds my modest regimen.
Mine is more like:
Per case of 5.56 (AR), full field strip, wipe out carbon with Hoppes and scrape down bcg. Punch bore once with Hoppes, once dry, once with oil using bore snake (I like the Otis Ripcord)
Oil/grease internals as appropriate.
Pistols is largely the same but its easier as I'll I do is just wipe every thing down with patches and rags once with Hoppes and again with oil and I lightly grease the rails and other bearing surfaces.

 

[Saltwater60]

I clean after every range trip. No reason other than if I do t I won’t remember the last time I cleaned them. I shoot 10 rounds I clean them.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Your forte is AR platform rifles. Chrome lined bore? Due to my military background I am familiar with it. Likely I would clean bore each 50 rounds (at the range) and field strip and clean/lube internals as necessary, extra attention to gas system.

Mine is bolt-actions. Likely I don't rip thru as much ammo as you do in a single range session, but I clean bore every 20 at the range. With quality jag tip and patch, one pass with RemOil, next pass with Brite Bore, next pass with clean patch.

The gilding metal jacket on bullets is a copper alloy. Copper is slippery. This builds up in your bore with each shot and thus reduces accuracy as the rifling does not grip the bullet properly.