How often do you clean your firearms?

[speedkills27]

I see it as more of a tedious chore. Obviously necessary but tedious none the less. I dont particularly enjoy the process but after I'm finished there is a certain satisfaction with putting that weapon away clean and lubed

 

[TheTeZ]

I really try to clean it after every outing... but I often get home late, and th ey end up sitting around longer than I'd like

 

[Phauxtoe]

I visually inspect them to see if they look dirty, if so i clean them.
If they feel slow or gummy, no matter how many rounds, they get cleaned.

plus I clean and oil everything in the Spring and Fall. on a Rainy Day!
Long guns get less action, so I feel the need to check and clean them just because.

 

[Livefree]

My 1911s after every use, my Glocks every once in a while

 

[Phibes]

For Pistols and Rifles usually immediately after use. Maybe a day or two at most if im lazy. I try to shoot skeet at least once a week so my shotgun goes probably 1k+ before a cleaning

 

[nortatoga]

As an instructor at one of the County Pistol Safety Classes and the one who goes over firearms cleaning I have to say after every use! It's on the, well you know what I mean!!

 

[ECU Pirates]

Similarly, I HATE cleaning weapons because it reminds me of basic, sitting there in silence, knowing it won't be good enough for the DS, and then getting smoked. It's been..... almost 4 years since I was at basic, and I still hate cleaning, especially my AR

The pending failure... no matter how perfect a job you do!

 

[GOPerfect]

One of my favorite pastimes is watching a good Distopia movie in my gun room while cleaning guns. I'll clean my 1911's for hours on end. Love it.

 

[GOPerfect]

Similarly, I HATE cleaning weapons because it reminds me of basic, sitting there in silence, knowing it won't be good enough for the DS, and then getting smoked. It's been..... almost 4 years since I was at basic, and I still hate cleaning, especially my AR

It never goes away, I went through basic in 1990 and I can still hear them yelling at me!

 

[MoMan]

After each and every day at the range I will clean my guns. If it was a long day, I will do a quick wipe down and oil.

I save the deep cleaning for days that I am bored and need something to do.

GOPerfect pretty much echoed my way of doing the cleaning of my firearms. If by some chance (pretty slim odds!!) that I didn't take a certain gun to the range in the past 6 months or so... it gets a quick inspection, then gets a trip to the range, and then a cleaning.

I know that sounds anal, but my firearms have not failed me. With the exception of one little 380... and that one was gone right after I realized it could not be depended on.

 

[swilliams]

Well, since cleaning them usually implies using them, I'm down to about once a year.

 

[Pedro]

My 1911s after every use, my Glocks every once in a while

I agree, I enjoy cleaning the 1911's almost as much as shooting them. I detail strip them more often than I need to.
Pedro.

 

[Podmonkey]

Well, since cleaning them usually implies using them, I'm down to about once a year.

That's a shame. I've just been getting back into it myself. At least one range trip everytime I come home.

 

[togmaster]

Well, since cleaning them usually implies using them, I'm down to about once a year.

Sorry to hear that.

 

[Cooolone]

As long as we are on the subject of cleaning is there any suggestions about storage? My long range Remingtons have been stored in drag bags for several years.They are regularly cleaned and oiled as I have always done but I don't shoot as much as I use to sometimes up to a year or more.I had used silica gel bags stored in the bags but they are getting worn out now and I was wondering if there were any alternatives or should I just go by new silica gel. Incase you didn't know good silica bags can be renewed by heating in an oven at approx 150 degrees for 6 hours to remove the absorbed moisture
Lockdown Silica Gel 450g, Bag
Not really expensive but have always worked not having a vault I have always used my bags
BLACKHAWK! Tactical Long Gun Drag Bag
suggestions?

A good coating of an anti-oxidation/rust agent like EzOx if stored for long lengths of time... Silica bags work, hold the moisture as mentioned, but can only do so much and once they have absorbed their capacity, then don't do anything more... So keeping the guns nicely coated prevents any issues. But you say they're regularly cleaned and oiled so you shouldn't have any worries. I use the EzOx anyways, at least once a year on my weapons, knives too... Just sayin : )

 

[TMC]

Dam EZOX is specialized and midway discontinued it Any Ideas?

 

[Cooolone]

I'd have to look for the link, a little goes a long way.

Http://www.eezox.com

 

[Pedro]

I'd have to look for the link, a little goes a long way.

Http://www.eezox.com

I've used it to wipe guns down, but didn't know it was a cleaner.
Thanks, Pedro.

 

[TMC]

LMAO OK missed the NY link on that site . I didn't realize Zack's carried it Thanks

 

[STS556]

I have not been very kind to my rifles. I need to get on a regular cleaning regimen, considering I only have a few rifles in NY. I do however blow them out with the air compressor often, but only from the outside. Shame on me.

But they do shoot accurately.

 

[togmaster]

I actually like dissembling and cleaning my guns. So most of the time they get cleaned after each trip to the range.

 

[Jmac00]

As long as we are on the subject of cleaning is there any suggestions about storage? My long range Remingtons have been stored in drag bags for several years.They are regularly cleaned and oiled as I have always done but I don't shoot as much as I use to sometimes up to a year or more.I had used silica gel bags stored in the bags but they are getting worn out now and I was wondering if there were any alternatives or should I just go by new silica gel. Incase you didn't know good silica bags can be renewed by heating in an oven at approx 150 degrees for 6 hours to remove the absorbed moisture
Lockdown Silica Gel 450g, Bag
Not really expensive but have always worked not having a vault I have always used my bags
BLACKHAWK! Tactical Long Gun Drag Bag
suggestions?

Z-corr storage bags. Vapor Barrier Anti-Corrosion Firearm Storage & Preservation Bags - ZCORR Products you simply can't beat these for long term staorgae

 

[Jmac00]

remember, snipers like dirty guns. They generally don't have the luxury of cleaning their guns during or after a patrol. so they tend to practice cold shots with a dirty barrel, now, they may clean or at least wipe down the action and trigger. But the barrel generally doesn't get cleaned

 

[Adkstalker]

How often do you clean your firearms? I tend to clean my pistols after each use but I'm not as prompt with my long guns. I actually enjoy doing it too so that helps.

Rifles after every use
Handguns, I'm not as disciplined lol

 

[Celt]

I don't really have any set amounts. Sometimes it's after a range outing of 500 rounds, other times it's after 50 rounds. Other times it's never. It all depends on how lazy I am, how much time I have, and how much I need to "get away" and get some time in the garage.

Im pretty similar. I chose every 500 rounds as that is a typical day of shooing for me, and i typically clean after each outing.. i always run a boresnake after every outing, and typically drop a little oil or grease on critical points before an outng.

 

[billtrev]

Quick cleaning to remove powder fouling after every range day (couple of patches wet with hoppe's and then a dry patch then clp or ezzox)
Real cleaning (remove all copper) only when necessary...

 

[Bigfoot]

Rifles and shotguns get wiped down after every use. I don't own any handguns.
I just do a breakdown and a thorough inside and out cleaning when I see or feel that it's time.
This method has worked for me for the last 40 years with no regrets.
All of my guns are in good condition... Even the old timers.

I own a lot of guns and there are only 4 or 5 that don't get shot on a regular basis.
The rest of them get used often... And that can get to be a pain in the ass for someone like me.
Who shoots often, using so many different guns but doesn't enjoy the cleaning process...
But it gets done when the time calls for it.

Shooting is not just a hobby to me... It's a way of life.
My guns get fired a lot and I don't like the cleaning process. That is a bad combo.
Wonder what the wife is doing now LOL... Hey honey, you want to do something for me?

 

[Koz]

My range trips usually involve north of a dozen guns. Some will only get one or 2 mags or revolvers, a couple cylinders full. They usually don't get a big cleaning maybe a patch with some CLP and a quick wipe down. If something gets a good work out I reward it with a thorough cleaning. All of my .22s (long guns and handguns) get cleaned because it is such a dirty round.
My wife and kids love to shoot. Of course my wife has never cleaned a gun. My younger son keeps his trap gun clean. My eldest doesn't clean so..... it falls on me.
I don't believe I've ever had a gun run say 100 rounds without cleaning.

 

[Snappo]

remember, snipers like dirty guns. They generally don't have the luxury of cleaning their guns during or after a patrol. so they tend to practice cold shots with a dirty barrel, now, they may clean or at least wipe down the action and trigger. But the barrel generally doesn't get cleaned

Back in the day. But nowadays a lot of folks keep a bore snake around. Just to get the major fouling out of there. I forget what NFP it was, but they were taking donations to send bore snakes to Iraq about a decade ago. I donated for a few dozen.

 

[Snappo]

My range trips usually involve north of a dozen guns. Some will only get one or 2 mags or revolvers, a couple cylinders full. They usually don't get a big cleaning maybe a patch with some CLP and a quick wipe down. If something gets a good work out I reward it with a thorough cleaning. All of my .22s (long guns and handguns) get cleaned because it is such a dirty round.
My wife and kids love to shoot. Of course my wife has never cleaned a gun. My younger son keeps his trap gun clean. My eldest doesn't clean so..... it falls on me.
I don't believe I've ever had a gun run say 100 rounds without cleaning.

I can't imagine shlepping 12 gun cases from car to table. That's exercise right there! I go with 2 max; and typically push 25-50 rounds and then go back the man cave and clean. I have been using bore snakes, patches, and something called G96 three-in-one spray. They advertise that it cleans, lubricates, and protects all in one spray.