Any and every gun owner needs to learn about gun cleaning as a key part of regular gun maintenance. It guarantees the proper operation of your firearm and lengthens its lifespan. If you’re taking the right precautions, a few basic gunsmithing tools and the proper gun cleaning kit can make a world of difference. Continue reading to learn the first step in cleaning a gun, why you should clean your gun, how to clean your gun, and how frequently you should clean your gun.
Table of Contents
Why Does Gun Cleaning Matter?
It becomes pretty clear if you compare a gun to a car. Without regular maintenance, your car will deteriorate more quickly, rust, become hazardous to drive, and inevitably let you down when you need it most. Fortunately, maintaining a gun is much simpler and less expensive than maintaining a car.
Gun cleaning is primarily done to keep the weapon clean and in good condition. Fouling* is the accumulation of different particles and residue that comes from firing a gun, including carbon, copper, lead, and other particles. In other words, it’s foul gunk that, if left unchecked, deteriorates firearms.
(*Not to be confused with “fowling,” which is bird hunting. While fouling is not fun, foulling is.)
Fouling affects every aspect of your gun:
- Accuracy: The stability of the bullet is provided by the rifling inside the barrel, but as a gun is used, debris accumulates and alters the bullet’s path as it leaves the barrel.
- Performance: Moving parts are found in guns. There are more moving parts and chances for failure due to poor maintenance the more complicated the gun is, like a semi-automatic. Stovepipes, jams, misfires, failure to feed, failure to eject/extract, and other problems can happen as a result.
- Safety: If ignored, a few of those performance problems might even become quite hazardous. Even worse and more terrifying than it sounds, a neglected gun can degrade to the point of catastrophic failure. It might even appear fine on the outside but have serious internal problems. Once a gun deteriorates to that point, it must either be retired as a wall-hanger or taken to a gunsmith.
- Longevity: A firearm with proper care can easily outlive its owner. This is how firearms are passed down from one generation to the next, remaining faithfully functional for decades and beyond.
What is the First Step in Cleaning a Firearm?
Safety First!
Before cleaning your gun, make sure it is always empty. Remove any cartridges from the magazine if it has one. Check to see if the internal or fixed magazine is completely empty if it has one. Check the chamber manually and visually to make sure the weapon is unloaded.
Follow all of the same procedures to check your gun once you are certain it is unloaded. There is never too much redundancy when it comes to safety.
One of the best procedures I’ve heard of is to take all ammunition out of the vicinity where you’re cleaning your firearm or to lock it up. Because of this, there is absolutely no chance that the gun will ever receive a live round.
What Do I Need?
- A well-ventilated space: Choose an area that is well-ventilated and away from kids and pets to start. In a confined space or one with inadequate ventilation, fumes from solvents and other chemicals can quickly build to toxic levels.
- A workstation: Select a space big enough to hold the gun and all of its parts, like a table or workbench. I prefer a surface that is approximately 4 feet long by 6 feet wide. If necessary, you can perform this activity on the ground, but your knees, ankles, and back will be much happier when you aren’t. An extremely helpful tool is a gun vise; it prevents the gun from moving while you clean it and is practically necessary if you’re mounting a scope. It is a good idea to use a cleaning mat because solvents and oils will soak right through a towel and damage the table’s surface below.
- PPE: Nitrile gloves are popular because they protect hands from cleaning agents while also preventing fingerprints from getting on the gun. You may not have noticed the natural oils and salts on your hand at the time, but you will never forget the first time you take a gun out of storage and notice a small patch of surface rust in the shape of your thumb. Another smart move is to wear safety glasses. There’s no reason not to use them when cleaning your gun since you should already have some in your range kit. This will help prevent getting chemicals or flying debris in your eyes.
- Gunsmithing tools: Simple gunsmithing tools that are appropriate for your gun are a good idea, though you shouldn’t need anything that will fill a toolbox. It’s extremely uncommon to receive any kind of tools with a gun or to find them in cleaning supplies. A torque wrench screwdriver makes sure you don’t overtighten or strip screws, and Wheeler offers an affordable selection.
Most universal gun kits come with all of the necessary accessories.
- Gun Cleaning Kit: To get started, all you’ll need is a cheap universal gun cleaning kit. From.22 to 12ga shotguns and everything in between, they fit the majority of calibers. There some components that you definitely want to have, and you can buy separately if they’re not included in your kit or need replacement:
- Cleaning Rod and Rod Ends
- Lubricants, Solvents, and Degreasers
- Gun Brush (both those that look like a toothbrush and bore brush rod-ends)
- Gun Cleaning Patches
- Bore Light (optional): For checking the barrel’s cleanliness, a bore light comes in really handy.
Field Strip vs. Full Disassembly
“Field stripping” is taking apart the basic components of a gun to clean them. Owner’s manual, manufacturer website, YouTube channel, How-To Guides, and this page on our Gear Expert website all contain instructions on how to do this. When field stripping, just be sure to move slowly because there are numerous tiny springs, screws, and other gadgets that can easily elude you. Laying out the pieces in the order you remove them is also recommended because it makes reassembly much simpler.
Fully disassembling a gun beyond field stripping isn’t advised unless you really, really, really know what you’re doing. Otherwise, this usually results in bringing in what’s called “a bag of gun” to gun shops and gunsmiths because the owner has realized they don’t know how to put it back together and have likely lost or broken a few parts in the process. However, it’s not a bad idea—in fact, it’s advised—to periodically have your gun professionally deep cleaned.
If at all possible, clean the firearm from the action to the muzzle to prevent debris from being drawn back into the weapon.
How to Clean Your Gun
You can’t avoid it, that much is clear. Regular cleaning must be a part of your maintenance as a responsible gun owner. But it seems that every gun owner out there has his or her own opinion on how, exactly, this routine cleaning should be done. At Pelican, we favor the conventional, uncomplicated method. There’s no need to make things more difficult! So, here are the six steps for cleaning your handgun. Be aware that while this is our guide to basic cleaning, there will occasionally need to be a deep clean as well.
Essential Gun Cleaning Supplies
Before you start, you’ll need to pick up some essential supplies if you’re new to using firearms or have never cleaned your gun at home. Starting with a gun cleaning kit that comes with everything you need might be a practical and economical option. In general, a good gun cleaning supply kit should contain:
- Hoppe’s No. 1 solvent, for instance, 9
- Lubricant, such as ALG Defense or BreakFree CLP-2 Cleaner
- A dry rag or cloth
- Swabbing patches
- Cleaning rods or patch pullers
- A boring brush that fits your barrel
- An old toothbrush
- Cotton swabs
- A pair of latex or nitrile gloves
Step 1: Disassemble the Gun
We advise putting on a pair of nitrile or latex gloves before you begin any work to prevent getting toxins or chemicals on your skin. You need to make sure you’re taking all reasonable precautions to reduce lead exposure when working with any type of firearm. Check to make sure your gun is unloaded after putting on your gloves. Once again make sure your gun is unloaded. Be sure to check the chamber and magazine to make sure they are empty before starting the disassembly.
You can start taking the gun apart once you’re certain it’s empty. You don’t have to completely disassemble the gun to clean it on a regular basis. Carefully remove the slide, guide rod, spring, and barrel, consulting your owner’s manual (or website, if necessary). This usually suffices to allow you access to the majority of the buildup inside the firearm so you can clean the areas where gunk tends to collect the most. Lay out the parts in front of you on a surface covered with a towel.
Note: You might want to take a deeper look at the gun’s intricate parts and components for deeper cleanings, or you might want to hire a professional to do it for you. For the firearms you frequently use, think about doing this once a year.
Step 2: Clean the Barrel
The barrel is arguably the most crucial element to take into account when cleaning a handgun. When your barrel is filthy or filled with debris, it might be difficult to move, which might impair your accuracy and lead to serious accidents. It is crucial that you pay your barrel a little extra attention because of this.
Apply a little solvent to your bore brush (or use a patch wrapped around a rod or a patch puller) and run it through the barrel in one direction while leaving the solvent in the barrel to clean it. Removing any dirt or buildup from the barrel by pulling the soiled brush or patch backwards is not advised. As you clean the rest of your gun, the solvent can now work inside the barrel.
After dealing with the rest of the handgun, go back to the barrel. Use your boring brush or rod to work the solvent inside the barrel. Using a clean patch and your rod, go through the barrel to make sure all the gunk is removed. Make sure the chamber is spotless and shiny by taking a look inside. Repeat the process if necessary. The feed ramp is one such area that should receive extra attention.
Step 3: Get Rid of Debris
Use a mechanic’s rag, a microfiber cloth, and a cotton swab to clean all the nooks, crannies, and crevices of the gun to remove surface debris before using any solvent. A dry brush or an old toothbrush can be used to remove surface debris from the spring and any other small parts. Your cleaners won’t have to work as hard because the loose fouling will be eliminated.
To clean the surface dirt from the gun’s nooks, crannies, and crevices, it’s a good idea to use a mechanic’s rag, a microfiber cloth, and a cotton swab.
Most likely, a dry rub-down won’t be sufficient to remove all of the fouling from your firearm. Spray some solvent onto a cotton swab and give the area some extra attention if you see any significant, stubborn residue. Some people also discover that cleaning out the springs and other small compartments of any clogged dirt and debris with compressed air works well. Just be cautious and maintain low pressure.
Additionally, you should routinely deep-clean your holster, magwell, and magazine. Even though they don’t require as much care as the rest of the firearm, maintaining their cleanliness can help you preserve the value of your firearm and stop wear and tear. Don’t use any lubricant on the magazine or magwell; just wipe them down with a dry cloth.
Step 4: Lubricate the Gun
The lubricant application is the last step before reassembly. In order for the components of your firearm to function properly with the least amount of friction, lubricant, an oily substance, is needed. Your gun’s components will rub against one another and wear out if there is no oil to prevent this. It is therefore crucial to regularly lubricate your guns in order to protect both your expensive investment and your safety.
Regular gun maintenance is crucial for safety as well as for preserving your significant financial investment.
Restraint is essential when lubricating a firearm. Never overoil a firearm because doing so can damage its parts and performance just as much as using a weapon that is completely bone dry. Not to mention that extra oil can drip into your holster and cause the handle to become slick. Additionally, avoid spraying lubricant directly onto your firearm. Use a cotton swab or a dry rag to apply it to the slide rails, recoil spring, barrel, and any other shiny crevices and nooks.
The barrel can now be cleaned completely by going back to it.
Step 5: Reassemble Your Gun
You can put the pieces back together once you’re certain that your weapon is thoroughly clean and dry. After putting it back together, test your unloaded firearm a few times to make sure you didn’t knock anything out of place while cleaning. Run it through a dry fire to make sure everything works as it should. Before putting your gun away, you can give it one last wipedown with a microfiber cloth to make sure no cleaning supplies are still on it.
After putting it back together, test your unloaded firearm a few times to make sure you didn’t knock anything out of place while cleaning. Start and run a dry fire.
Step 6: Store It Properly
Never undervalue the significance of secure firearm storage. Your choice of storage location is just as crucial as cleaning your gun when it comes to maintaining its cleanliness, safety, and maintenance. Make sure the gun case you select is appropriate for the gun’s size and design. In other words, keep your pistol in a pistol case and your rifle in a rifle case. Being picky about your case can pay off in the long run because the right case can keep your firearm from getting soiled, rusted, or damaged while traveling. Look for a case that has the following features:
- Foam on the inside, hard on the outside. The best gun cases have interior foam cradling your firearms in a layer of protection, preventing any damage or scratching. Both in storage and during transit, this aspect of gun storage is crucial. In harsh environments, the hard exterior protects your guns from impact and weather.
- Watertight. As you are probably aware, metal and moisture do not mix. It’s critical to completely dry your firearm before storing it to avoid rusting. Maintaining your gun will be much easier if you keep it in a completely watertight case that keeps moisture out.
- Pressure equalized. An automatic pressure equalizing valve is a crucial component because it allows air in while keeping out moisture, dust, and other foreign objects. Although your gun is protected from other dangerous particles, the air molecules keep it dry.
- Crushproof. A crush-proof gun case can help protect your firearm from damage if you intend to travel with it, whether you’re just taking it to the range or checking it in as luggage on your next flight.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gun?
This depends entirely on how and how much you use your gun:
Any time you’ve gone shooting, such as on range trips.
If you’re doing really high-volume shooting or using inexpensive ammunition (often called “dirty ammo”), it’s nice to bring along a bore snake to run through every few hundred rounds. Bore snakes are also useful to have on hand in case any foreign objects get into your barrel while you’re out in the field.
Every two to three weeks, a carry gun needs cleaning.
In particular, pay attention to the bore, hammer, and any other moving parts that might collect impurities. Our natural oils and salt-rich sweat can and will be introduced to the gun you carry with you at all times. You should check it for any buildup every two to three days due to exposures from lint, dust, and other factors. In the event of a break-in or car theft, it is not advisable to keep your gun in your car at all times. The same is true for guns that are carried on your person. A self-defense gun must function flawlessly at a moment’s notice and when you absolutely need to be able to rely on it. Don’t overlook this.
After any outdoor excursion or hunting trip, even if you didn’t fire it or see anything entering it.
Even on a brief day trip, a gun can develop buildup from dust, pollen, brush, moisture, and other factors.
prior to storing it for a period that may end up lasting longer than you anticipated (hope for the best, prepare for the worst).
To prevent oil from penetrating the barrel and building up inside the gun or harming the wood stock, store guns barrel-down.
Check firearms for accumulated dust, a lack of oil, the beginnings of surface rust, etc. every three to six months while they are in storage.
Long-term storage should include cleaning of firearms every six to twelve months.
It’s a lot to process, but regular cleaning and maintenance of your firearm are essential to its preservation and to guaranteeing that it operates as intended. You can feel more assured that you’re cleaning your gun properly now that you’re aware of the procedures and how often to do it. Share if you liked it and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
Conclusion: Safety First
In the hopes that you will receive comprehensive instructions from this article, always put safety first. So, if you’re considering cleaning your firearm, you can do so effectively by using the same procedure.
To maintain the guns or firearms like a pro, you can also add your own imagination and expertise! You only need to think creatively to accomplish this. That’s All!
