Firearm Cleaning 101

[CALFFBOU]

I was cleaning the mighty Sig P228 today like I have been cleaning my weapons for years. I was taught a standard strip/breakdown, clean, oil and reassemble proceedure.

And then I thought- "Ask the experts at the boards what tips they have?"

So please lay anything on me that is interesting. Tricks or tools?

Thanks, Bou and Mini-Me



8/25/06 UPDATE- Found this for the Glock people...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1QJDGinwE

[2ndgen]

Sound kinda wierd, but I started using those electric tooth brushes on my firearms. Works like a charm on the AR's!

[DonSmithnotTMD]

I like Hoppes and graphite lube

They say not to use it, but I use WD-40 sometimes too.

Thought you guys weren't allowed to own guys out there.

[MalahatTwo7]

Thought you guys weren't allowed to own guys out there.

He's from the EAST Bay area... they do things a little differently out there :D hehehehehe

[doughesson]

Get a revolver a"Boresnake"cleaning rope and a toothbrush.I got turned onto BreakFree CLP(tm)by a Gunner's Mate in my old destroyer before I got out.That stuff works well and you don't have to carry cleaner and lube in your range bag.
Good substitutes include brake cleaner,carburetor cleaner and WD 40.It's not going to gum up as badly as some claim it will.If you shoot a firearm,the powder residue will combine with whatever oil is used to lubricate the moving parts and form gum.
Just like with your firefighting equipment,keep yer shootin' irons clean and they won't let you down when you need them badly.

[MalahatTwo7]

CLP or "Breakfree" is good stuff. I have a bottle of it in my tool kit on my truck. Works as well and in some cases better than most other lubricants.

[FlyingKiwi]

There be damn good reasons not to use WD-40.

Residue build up clagging up and stiffening mechanisms over time is but one.

Also from a more personal objective (with a slightly military view).

NEVER place yourself near a person who does this when the fur flies, smoke signals to the opposition are very BAD on the health.

[ROOKIELZ]

Well; it's been a long time but....

Wear cotton gloves when cleaning your weapon. It stops any salt, oils or minerals from your hands from transferring onto your metals. This is particularly a concern for showpieces or pieces that will be in storage for any length of time.

[CALFFBOU]

Well; it's been a long time but....

Wear cotton gloves when cleaning your weapon.

I like it. Thanks for the tip.

[snowball]

Make sure it is unloaded :D

[MalahatTwo7]

Wear cotton gloves when cleaning your weapon.

Make sure it is unloaded :D


Which? The P228... or.... oh wait.. never mind :p

[CALFFBOU]

UPDATE- A file from Sig Arms on cleaning and maintenance-

http://sigarmsnews.com/dbm83/l.html?14755&2984

[MalahatTwo7]

Damn firewalls again. Have to wait till I get home to see that link. :(

[N2DFire]

Stop by any local "Flea Markets" and look for the folks selling dental picks on the cheap. These are great for pushing small patches into tight gunky areas that you would otherwise clean by blasting it with some cleaner. (FWIW I'm not a big fan of cleaners other than some Hoppes #9 and elbow grease)

For all the models that detail strip by removing drift pins (like Glock) - before you pony up the $$ for the "Glock Tool" or a genuine official drift punch to remove the 2 or 3 pins in your receiver take a look around the auto & hardware stores for the cheap pocket screwdriver (the "old fashion" kind not these new interchangeable tip styles). The shaft diameter of these is a perfect match for the drift pins - just grind off the flat or philips end - taper it slightly and voilà - your very own custom "glock tool"

[redneckemt]

Lets see I use only Hoppes #9, canned air, q-tips, dental picks, patches, a tooth brush, and an old oily rag. That's all I've ever used. Never needed anything more.

[doughesson]

If anyone has lost the"issue"disassembly pin that comes with most Ruger revolvers,using a small nail or a mini screwdriver from your Swiss Army knife to hold the spring compressed works wonders.

[Shoreman22]

Which? The P228... or.... oh wait.. never mind :p

THIS IS MY RIFLE, THIS IS MY GUN!! :D

[CALFFBOU]

UPDATE- For the Glock folks-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1QJDGinwE

[doughesson]

CLP or "Breakfree" is good stuff. I have a bottle of it in my tool kit on my truck. Works as well and in some cases better than most other lubricants.


Works on anything from a BB gun(.177 cal) to a 16" rifle such as packed by the Iowa class BBs.When I'd get tapped to help clean my ship's 5" 38 cal gun,pulling the cleaning rod through the barrel reminded me of a "Beverly Hillbillies"episode where Jethro got a tank and was muzzleloading it.
GMG1 wasn't too happy with why one of his flunkies was laughing during a dirty job and found other tasks for me that stopped the laughter.

[LuckyThirteen]

I use a little penetrator oil down the barrel of my FN FiveSeven. then a bore brush, followed by a couple of cleaning patches. Once that's done, I've got a toothbrush I use for the rest of the parts, then wipe 'em off with a small rag. Don't have to worry about corrosion on the outside as its all polymer.

[MEDIC0372]

I use Breakfree "CLP" on everything. I contacted the company and was told by them that it is safe on wood and that it is a good wood protectant.

DW40 is good to use in some cases to clean but it should be completely wiped off and a protectant oil should be applies (CPL).

I also us a "gun rag" that I bought from a gun shop that is impregnated with silicone to wipe down the guns once and a while.

Bore snake is good.

[firemanjb]

Best tip I have is use Q-Tips. Don't be cheap and buy generic; the cotton swab disintegrates too fast and leaves fuzz behind. Q-Tips help clean the slide rails as well as the nooks and crannies inside the frame and along the ejector. They work better than pipe cleaners.

I'll usually soak the Q-Tip in bore cleaner for that; the rest of the cleaning (done first) is with Breakfree and a brush.

[CALFFBOU]

Great tip on the Qs. I do the same thing with a big box. As said, buy the good stuff.