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So I'm curious as to the gun cleaning regimen of folks. I have a 80's MKIV Cold 380 Mustang that I bought new. I will carry it often as it's small and I can shoot it very well, and it's in like new condition. I field strip it, clean barrel with brush, pads until clean, light oil in slides and barrel. So tonight I pull the firing pin and spring and while wasn't completely horrible, it was dirtier than expected. At what point should I get professionally dissembled and cleaned?

Why take it to a professional? You pulled the pin, just clean it up.

If you don't know how to detail strip your weapon, just look it up on the interweb.
Most things can be learned by watching YouTube videos.

I find it very enjoyable to see the inside mechanics of various weapons.

If you can't get it back together, then you can seek "professional help!"

When I was 18, I jammed up my pump shotgun with some leaky reloads. Some shot got in the action and it would not cycle.
I was ready to take it to a smith when a friend recommended that I try to fix it myself, and if not, then take it to a shop.
He said "what have you got to lose? Either you fix it yourself for free, or if not then pay someone." I have lived by that my whole life, and I still have not had to take any gun to a smith some 30 years later.

P.S.: we didn't have YouTube back then.

Ok. So I can strip, the firing pin is pretty easy. I guess something g like the hammer, trigger assembly, ejector, etc. something a complete disassemble . Is that level even needed? I guess I could do it but not if it's not needed.

It's not necessary to detail strip every time you clean it, but it should be done periodically.

Depending on how often you fire it, carbon and dirt can build up in every small crevice.

I field strip and clean after every range visit.
I completely tear my 1911's down at least once a year. My regular range guns get it two or three times a year.

If you are mechanically inclined at all, I'd say go for the gold!

There are lots of youtube videos on dis-assembly and reassembly. Watch several of them before you tackle it and then decide how far you want to go. They are actually very easy to take apart and with a bit of patience, go back together without much trouble. If you have a full size 1911 available, I would suggest starting on it. The larger parts are easier for my fat fingers.

I learned to completely strip a 1911a1 in the service with someone yelling in my ear that I was going to slow and the same process to reassemble it. Now, 40 years later, I can't start to take a 1911 apart without hearing Senior Chief Peeler's voice in my head.

When you master the process, you'll better understand exactly what makes it go bang and will have a new sense of pride.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

There was a time when I loved cleaning my guns. Somewhere along the line, it became a chore. I am seriously considering the purchase of an ultrasonic gun cleaner.

03Lightningrocks wrote:There was a time when I loved cleaning my guns. Somewhere along the line, it became a chore. I am seriously considering the purchase of an ultrasonic gun cleaner.

I purchased a cheap, small ultrasonic jewelry cleaner from Amazon for much less than the devices marketed as gun cleaners. It's not a panacea, but it definitely helps. You still need to clean the parts in your normal fashion first, or at least I do and mine has no heater. When I need to clean a part that's too large for the basket, I just put it in twice -- putting the end that was sticking up the first time into the liquid the second time. Just remember not to put in tritium night sights or other parts that could be damaged if the air tight seal is compromised. Also, no need to spend big bucks on expensive cleaning fluids; a little water soluble chemical goes a long way. Just make sure what you use doesn't hurt the finish if cleaning blued parts, etc.

hpcatx wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:There was a time when I loved cleaning my guns. Somewhere along the line, it became a chore. I am seriously considering the purchase of an ultrasonic gun cleaner.

I purchased a cheap, small ultrasonic jewelry cleaner from Amazon for much less than the devices marketed as gun cleaners. It's not a panacea, but it definitely helps. You still need to clean the parts in your normal fashion first, or at least I do and mine has no heater. When I need to clean a part that's too large for the basket, I just put it in twice -- putting the end that was sticking up the first time into the liquid the second time. Just remember not to put in tritium night sights or other parts that could be damaged if the air tight seal is compromised. Also, no need to spend big bucks on expensive cleaning fluids; a little water soluble chemical goes a long way. Just make sure what you use doesn't hurt the finish if cleaning blued parts, etc.

Thanks for that input! The expense of the machine and my concerns about how well it really works have been the only concerns holding me back. I found a few ideas on the inter web the other day on how to build your own for much less money.

I've never completely disassembled a firearm to clean it and I've never had a problem. I've owned handguns, rifles, and shotguns of every type possible and I've never had a problem if I gave them a routine cleaning after firing. I will admit that I used a compressed air can to blow the soot out of semi-automatics, but otherwise I've just given my guns a basic disassembly per the owner's manual, cleaned the barrels, cylinders, slides, frames, etc., and given them a light coat of oil. And I've owned many, many guns and shot them a lot. If one of my firearms ever gets so dirty that it won't function properly and I can't clean it well enough, then I'll take it to a gunsmith. But, then again, I have no mechanical or technical skills at all (changing a light bulb is a major challenge for me....).

Crash