How to Safely Clean a Gun

The most important step towards making sure a firearm is performing to its specifications is to make sure the gun is properly and regularly cleaned.  Most of the problems that pistols, shotguns and rifles encounter are due to dirty bores and actions.  Gun powder is fairly corrosive and can cause damage to your firearm if not regularly removed.  Below you will find some good tips on safely cleaning your gun which will help insure that your firearm will work properly.

SAFETY FIRST

Make sure you are about to clean an empty pistol or rifle!  Remove magazine clips and any ammunition in the chamber.  Be absolutely sure the weapon is unloaded!  It never hurts to check more than once.  BE SURE YOUR GUN IS UNLOADED!

DON’T DISASSEMBLE TOO FAR

Read the owner’s manual of your gun and go only as far as they recommend.  If you don’t have an owner’s manual you most likely can download one from the manufacturer’s web site - usually at no cost.  As a rule you should only need to disassemble far enough to reach the major components which need cleaning due to powder and residue build up.  These will typically include the bore, chamber and bolt or action.

EXAMINE THE FIREARM AS YOU BREAK IT DOWN

While the firearm is disassembled, it is a good idea to inspect for worn components due to normal wear and tear of the gun.  You should also check for hair-line cracks, rust and signs of too much wear.  If you find anything like this you should take the firearm to a professional gunsmith for repairs.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING YOUR GUN

 REMEMBER: CHECK THE CHAMBER FOR ROUNDS BEFORE YOU START! 

1.   Clean your gun from the breach end if at all possible.  If you can’t clean from this end be sure you don’t “push” any debris down into the action of the gun.  Be sure to use a muzzle guard to protect the muzzle “tip” from scratches or nicks.  If you damage this part of the gun you will loose a lot of accuracy in your shooting.

2.   Be sure to use the proper patch holder for the caliber of your weapon.  Soak the patch with a factory approved solvent or copper cutter.

3.   Run the patch down the barrel to saturate the bore.  Remove the dirty patch at the other end of the barrel.  If you pull the patch back through the barrel it can fowl the barrel with debris you just pushed out.  Let the solvent “stew” a couple of minutes to break up any stubborn lead or carbon that may have built up.

4.   Pull the “empty” rod back out of the barrel.  Attach the proper brush to the rod.  Soak the brush with solvent and run it up and down the barrel 4 or 5 times to scrub the bore.  Replace another solvent soaked patch on the rod and run it down the barrel.  Repeat this step with a new patch until the patch comes out free from any discoloration.  Run a “dry” patch through to remove any remaining solvent.  Check the bore for any debris and if necessary clean again.

5.   Apply a few drops of quality gun oil to a new patch and run it through the barrel to leave a LIGHT film of oil inside the barrel.  This will go a long way in preventing rust during storage.

6.   With a nylon gun brush saturated in solvent, brush away any powder that has not been burnt or debris away from the action.  After the action is clean use a gun oil to LIGHTLY coat all surfaces and moving parts.  Do not use too much lubricant because the action may become sticky and hinder the weapon from operating properly.  A light coat is all that is needed to prevent rust and help in increasing the life of the weapon.

7.   Reassemble the gun making sure you wipe any areas you have touched with your hands with a cloth lightly oiled or a silicone fabric.  The acid on your hands from sweat can do a lot of damage to the steel.  Wiping the gun down will also remove any marks you have deposited while handling and leave it with a “new” look to it when you are finished.

REMEMBER TO CHECK THE BORE FOR ANY OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU FIRE THE GUN!!!

Have fun and be safe.

Billy Willis

www.lonestarholsters.com