Proper handgun maintenance

[Skydivesnake]

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.

After each range visit, brush the magazine well, the underside of the slide, the feed ramp and around the hammer area with a dry toothbrush, then add a drop of your chosen lubricant into both rail grooves in the slide (where the slide engages the frame) so that it smears down the rail when you reassemble. You can really strip it down and clean more thoroughly every few sessions, but a quick scrub 'n lube like this each time will keep it pretty clean and stop the carbon build-up.

[AJ80]

Unfortunately, I enjoy shooting a lot more than cleaning.
My handguns haven't been cleaned in a while.
I should probably start cleaning one handgun a week until they are all cleaned, which would only take four weeks.

I know the question wasn't about rifles, but my AR-15 hasn't been cleaned in months, maybe even a year.
My newest rifle, S&W M&P 15-22, has been getting cleaned every range trip and is currently spotless.

So,tomorrow, instead of cleaning my rifle, I believe I will clean a handgun or two instead, starting with my carry guns.

[Skooter]

I clean my guns from top to bottom every time I shoot them. It only takes 5-10 mins to properly clean it. Why would you want to store a dirty gun?

Skooter

[gringop]

My carry and competition Glock 19 get's bore snaked and lubed after every other practice session, ie. every two weeks or 400 rounds.

When I was carrying my 1911, it got bore snaked and lubed after every practice session or every 200 rounds of dirty smokey lead reloads.

My other guns, the BHP, SIG, M+P and Smith revolvers don't get shot much so they get cleaned during the great biannual "find all the dirty guns the the safe and clean them" days. The carry guns get detail stripped, cleaned and springs replaced on those days too.

I have found that it's not dirty guns that malfunction, it's dry guns. Lube em, check the recoil springs often and run em hard.

Gringop

[stevie_d_64]

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.

Yep, a basic field strip, barrel job, wipe it all down, lube the slide and the guides where they meet, reassemble, wipe it down one more time, and I figure your good to go...Ohhh, don't forget to load it back up...

Those Sigs are nice to work with...

[Dragonfighter]

<SNIP>

I know the question wasn't about rifles, but my AR-15 hasn't been cleaned in months, maybe even a year.
My newest rifle, S&W M&P 15-22, has been getting cleaned every range trip and is currently spotless.

<SNIP>

They must be more reliable than the M-16s of yesteryear, it seemed that if you even thought about shooting it you cleaned it.

I once was shooting a friend's Glock (first qualification umpteen years ago). He was an FFL and had a private range at the time. He ran an errand and left me there with his pistol. I noticed it was pretty cruddy and decided to clean it. He pitched a fit as he had over a thousand rounds through it an endurance experiment and was hoping to meet 2000+ before cleaning.

I on the other hand clean (G23) mine after every range trip and occasionally after carrying a while. Glocks field strip like no one's business and it takes a very few minutes to ensure a clean and inspected weapon.

[jagged97]

if you carry the pistol, you'll definitely want to clean it fairly often even if you don't shoot it. especially if you carry IWB. it will get lint and gunk all over it; anywhere there is any type of oil or grease residue will collect lint and dust like crazy. i would imagine it would be even worse if you don't use a holster.

[Ol Zeke]

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

Yeah. Top shelf of the dishwasher for mine...

[duns]

After every trip to the range. I don't clean in between range visits even if a long time goes by. I'm new to shooting so don't know if this is appropriate. Just saying what I do. I enjoy cleaning my guns almost as much as shooting them; find it relaxing.

[fickman]

I clean mine after each range visit.

I intend to clean mine at regular intervals between range visits, but I never do.