Proper handgun maintenance

[baldeagle]

I have a chance to pick up a Sig P226 for a very reasonable price. This would be my first handgun. I'm interested in hearing opinions about proper handgun maintenance. Is there a rule of thumb for gun cleaning? X number of rounds? Y number of weeks? After every trip to the range? I've been watching these videos - http://www.ehow.com/video_5199518_detai ... m-gun.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - and I find them very useful, but I wonder if this is the once a year cleaning or after every trip to the range cleaning or something in between.

I have no doubt that there are varying opinions, and there's probably no single right answer, so let's hear what you have to say, and I'll sit back and learn. I'm going to training tomorrow, and I'll probably pick up the Sig early next week, so I'm fired up.

[seniorshooteress]

My guns are cleaned after they have been to the range. Doesn't matter if I have shot 50, 100 or more rounds. If a shot is fired that gun is cleaned. But others may differ in their cleaning schedules.

[USA1]

My guns are cleaned after they have been to the range. Doesn't matter if I have shot 50, 100 or more rounds. If a shot is fired that gun is cleaned.

Same for me.

[suthdj]

After it has been shot and when I am bored. I have a boring life so about every 50 -100 rounds.

[Kevinf2349]

My guns are cleaned after they have been to the range. Doesn't matter if I have shot 50, 100 or more rounds. If a shot is fired that gun is cleaned.

Same for me.

+1 and usually a wipe down with a silicon cloth after any particulary 'sweaty' carry....and these summer days that is most every day!

[pbwalker]

My guns are cleaned after they have been to the range. Doesn't matter if I have shot 50, 100 or more rounds. If a shot is fired that gun is cleaned.

Same for me.

+1 and usually a wipe down with a silicon cloth after any particulary 'sweaty' carry....and these summer days that is most every day!

[Big Ben]

I clean my glock after every range trip.

It also says in the users manual to clean at least once a month even if not used.

I would imagine the same rules probably could be used for any other handgun.

[glbedd53]

I have a nickel P-226. My Sigs are the most reliable guns I own and that's the reputation they have. I always clean any gun every time I shoot it, even if it's only one shot. That's just the way I believe it should be done. Besides I don't sleep well with a dirty gun in the house.

[USA1]

It also says in the users manual to clean at least once a month even if not used.

Yeah, if I go longer than a month between rage visits, I'll field strip
and lightly oil the barrel, slide rails, and feed ramp just for good measure.

[BrianSW99]

I clean the Glock you're using for the class tomorrow about every six months whether it needs it or not; my others get cleaned after every trip to the range

[alamo5000]

First, I am with the other guys. I maintain mine almost after every time I use it. Its not a hard thing to do (at least with my guns). I can clean mine up in hardly no time while sitting watching tv. Personally I think its a good habit to get into for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is it keeps your gun clean, and the second best reason you will be more familiar with how the gun functions.

I also second the notion to clean the gun if it has been inactive for a period of time. Lubricants can evaporate or change consistency when exposed to air for a long time and many other things could happen as well. What WAS slick and lubricated when you put the gun away 2 months ago may be somewhat sticky today.

Second, I bought my first pistols not too long ago. I grew up on rifles and shotguns, but never pistols. Now I am all about pistols.

Anyway the guy at the gun shop where I shop at is very reputable and probably one of the most respected (and known) gun gurus in my area. People come from all over to buy guns from that guy. His shop is spotless clean and he is honest and professional.... so I asked him how to care for my guns...

He steered me to a bottle of pro-shot 1 step cleaner and lubricant. He then went on (I wish I had a tape recorder at the time) to tell me about various different makes and models of guns. See, this guy also owns a gun range and hence his pistols need to be cleaned often sometimes once or twice a day.

Long story short he said gun owners need to get to know their specific guns. What is good for one gun is not good for another. He said people would return gun model X with grease packed up to the gills of the thing and claim the gun doesnt function properly. Other people will return gun make Y and its dry as a bone and they too think their gun doesn't function properly. Then he cleans it his way and fires 100 rounds without a malfunction.

Some guns love this and other guns hate that. Its like ammo. Some guns simply will not eat certain brands of ammo and others will take whatever you put into them. Same is true for maintenance.

Similarly though, cleaning a gun and maintenance of a gun is specific to your brand (and make) of gun. Whats good for you isnt nessesarily good for the other guy up the road who owns a S&W or whatever other brand you can name.

Currently I own two taurus pistols and I have found that the pro shot works excellent with both for regular maintenance. It lubricates up but its thin enough where it won't collect dust, dirt, and grime.

I also used non chlorinated disk brake cleaner from the auto parts store once for a very heavy cleaning job. I now make a distinction (at least in my mind) between 'cleaning' and 'maintaining'. True blue deep cleaning is only an occassional deal. Maintenance is an every time deal. I wouldnt use that disk brake cleaner every time, but only on an occassional basis or for extreme jobs.

It didnt hurt my gun one bit and it left it clean as a whistle and after it dried out I applied pro shot and gave it a nice wipe down. Both my guns have been flawless.

[cougartex]

I clean mine after every range trip.

[RiverRat]

My guns are cleaned after they have been to the range. Doesn't matter if I have shot 50, 100 or more rounds. If a shot is fired that gun is cleaned.

Same for me.

Same for me.

[baldeagle]

After reading all the replies, I have a followup question. What do you mean by cleaning? Are you referring to field stripping and thoroughly cleaning the barrel, slide, receiver and spring? Or running a snake through the barrel and lubricating the gun without field stripping it? Or something else?

And thanks for all the replies so far. They've been very informative.

[USA1]

After reading all the replies, I have a followup question. What do you mean by cleaning? Are you referring to field stripping and thoroughly cleaning the barrel, slide, receiver and spring? Or running a snake through the barrel and lubricating the gun without field stripping it?

I always field strip the gun and run a brass brush through the barrel followed by cloth patches soaked in solvent to remove all residue from inside the barrel. Once clean, I run more cloth patches lightly dampened with oil through the barrel.
Then solvent dampened cloth on/in the rest of the gun followed by oil.

Basically you want to clean (with solvent) all the nooks and crannys to remove any residue and oil all of the moving parts followed by a good wipe down to remove excess oil.

Others may have a slightly different method but you get the point.