Cleaning...

Aug 2011
240
0
South Puget Sound
A thread from another forum has me curious. How often do you guys clean your rifles? After every shoot? Every 500-1000 rounds? Last week, I put probably close to 400 rounds through it. Cased it up and stowed it and haven't touched it since. Usually, I clean after every range session, but I've actually been sick since then and not had much strength, usually I love the smell of solvent but just the thought of it made me want to hurl.

Anyway, what IS the general rule? I was taught to clean after each shoot but the other thread has me scratching my bald head.
 
Apr 2011
157
0
Oregon
I used to be OCD about cleaning every time a gun goes out...

I still wipe them down..

Rifles I pull the bolt wipe off any the grime.. wipe the inside of the receiver. look down the chamber... if I can see the lands I oil it up and shoot some more...

after around 1000 I'll get more detailed in the cleaning..

Pistols Auto's I pull the slide 50+ and wipe down and reoil... around 500+ I'll detail strip

Revolvers get the wipe down and I clean the cylinder with solvent and patches.. a few hundred and I pull them apart and detail clean

Seem to work just fine...
 
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Jan 2011
69
0
Grandview, WA
I've always enjoyed the cleaning process after firing any of my guns. Some experts claim it's not necessary to clean the bore or the action after every shoot; maybe it's not, but I am old school and I usually do anyway especially if I've put 50-100 or more rounds through a rifle or pistol. Keeping your guns clean means they're ready when you may need them.:mfclap:
 
Apr 2011
157
0
Oregon
If I cleaned my guns after every time I shoot.. Some guns would be apart 3-4 times a week....

I work on reload formulas and try out my loads in the back yard..
 
Aug 2011
240
0
South Puget Sound
If I cleaned my guns after every time I shoot.. Some guns would be apart 3-4 times a week....

I work on reload formulas and try out my loads in the back yard..

Must be nice! It's a royal pain in the ass to load up the truck, drive to the range, unload, pay, wait for a lane, only to load up again, drive home, then unload again. But hell, I love to shoot, so what're you gonna do. I don't mind cleaning. In fact, stripping my firearms is always an experience in itself and you get to know it better each time.

I just worry that if they're not cleaned every time, gunpowder or dust will get into spaces to cause problems. You're probably right on this, I'm a little OC about my weapons.
 
May 2013
182
0
Oregon
Clean according to environment.
Sandy, dusty, wind & grit, you cant clean often enough. Clean well and get the oil off.

Wet humid muddy, you cant clean often enough. H-9 & light oil & lubriplate.
Range use moderate environment, I clean after 300 to 500 rds.
I hate the flyers in a newly cleaned bore. About all I use then is H-9 then dry patch. Food grade lubriplate on the wear points and wipe off lightly.
Let the environment and contaminants dictate your cleaning. Two enemy's are abrasion and, or corrosion.
Carbon buildup can be a problem in some actions also.
I really like the piston action for that reason over the impingement.
 
Dec 2009
240
0
Graham, Wa
Detailed strip and clean, every gun, every time I shoot. I've paid way too much for my guns to not take care of them. I've always been a firm believer in you can tell a lot about a man by the way he takes care of his tools.
 
May 2013
182
0
Oregon
Detailed strip and clean, every gun, every time I shoot. I've paid way too much for my guns to not take care of them. I've always been a firm believer in you can tell a lot about a man by the way he takes care of his tools.

Cleaning is a good thing, but cleaning after every shoot was far more important back in the days of corrossive priming. With todays smokeless powders and non corrosive primers it is critical when environmental factors warrant it..
Or when leading is an issue.
It never hurts though. Over cleaning is only a problem if too much oil is used and especially when some of the new penetrants are used in mags and get into primers.
Mil spec ammo resolves that issue, but civvie ammo in most cases is not sealed.
 
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Dec 2009
240
0
Graham, Wa
Cleaning is a good thing, but cleaning after every shoot was far more important back in the days of corrossive priming. With todays smokeless powders and non corrosive primers it is critical when environmental factors warrant it..
Or when leading is an issue.
It never hurts though. Over cleaning is only a problem if too much oil is used and especially when some of the new penetrants are used in mags and get into primers.
Mil spec ammo resolves that issue, but civvie ammo in most cases is not sealed.

The majority of guns that I shoot are semi auto, and carbon build up is a concern.. I'd rather clean regularly and not have to scrape carbon out of my chamber, or replace my BCGs every few thousand rounds. Regular cleaning is also a great way to spot worn parts or other problems. Too many pro's, not enough con's..
 
Aug 2013
2
0
wa
i clean mine after every range session then store them dry. Then just oil them up when i'm ready to go shooting. I don't like the idea of storing them with all the gunk just sitting there :angry:
 
May 2013
182
0
Oregon
The majority of guns that I shoot are semi auto, and carbon build up is a concern.. I'd rather clean regularly and not have to scrape carbon out of my chamber, or replace my BCGs every few thousand rounds. Regular cleaning is also a great way to spot worn parts or other problems. Too many pro's, not enough con's..

True, that is why I like Piston Guns. All the carbon is up front in an easy to clean piston. Not so much back in the bolt area and no long gas tubes.
 
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