Are You Cleaning Your Gun Right? Check Out Now!

All your mechanical devices, including firearms are fine-tuned essentials that require proper maintenance and cleaning. You cannot be lax with it if you don’t wish to compromise with their operational performance. Since these have been your constant companion and if you want the scenario remains the same in the future too, make sure to take proper care of it.

That being said, regular maintenance implies thorough cleaning and lubrication and not necessarily opening up your gun until the very last screw.

To help eliminate any of your doubts regarding how to clean a gun, we have enlisted the steps to be followed while doing this. These are very easy and do not consume much of your time. So, read on and learn whether you’ve been cleaning your gun right all this while. If not, implement these easy steps in your process and you’ll be good to go.

Unload the gun first

The first step to clean any gun is to make sure that it is unloaded. For the same, open the action of the gun. This is then followed by reading the manual very carefully for its instructions. Any gun involves some minor disassembly of its parts before cleaning. So, gaining knowledge of the gun is a good way to understand the layout of the weapon and also the tools for the assembly and reassembly of components. The various cleaning essentials for a basic handgun include a solvent and lubricant.

Clean the barrel

While most of you think this means simply pushing an oily patch down the bore, let me make it clear that it is not limited to just this. Run a cleaning rod with an attached bronze brush in the solvent down the barrel. Repeat the same process if the barrel is particularly dirty.

“Begin with a nylon brush to break up the debris,” says Jason Flinkard, director of shooting accessories for Hoppe’s. He further adds “It should be caliber-specific for rifles and gauge-specific for shotguns. Next, use a product like No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner to clear powder and lead fouling.”

Clean the action next

Once you’re done cleaning the barrel, proceed towards cleaning the action. For the same, purchase a gun scrubber and spray it on the action. Don’t forget to clean the bolts and trigger using it and then wipe them down. There are numerous scrubbers available in the market today so it wouldn't be difficult to find one.

Wipe off excess oil, if any

Check the barrel and the action for any excess oil which might have got accumulated beneath. Before you proceed any further, make sure to clean it. Once you’re done with it, it’s time for the lubricant! Wipe down the metal parts of the gun with oil to give it a clean, and shiny finish.

However, be careful when cleaning a gun with a wooden stock so that any excess oil doesn’t seep into it and soften it.

Examine the screws

After the aforementioned steps, you then have to check the external screws, i.e. the ones that secure the side plates and grip panels of the gun. Look for any rust and if there’s none you’re good to go. However, if you find any corrosion, opt for a rust fix. And, if you don’t have the skills to apply it, you will have to take your firearm to a gunsmith.

Also, ensure that the screws are still tight. Besides, clean any dirt or grime that you come across thoroughly

Reassemble and wipe down

Once you’ve cleaned all the components, it is time to reassemble them. Put each component back to its original place carefully. Wipe down the firearm with a clean rag and a slight amount of oil so as to remove any fingerprint residue. Close the action while you safely drop the firing pin.

Final Word

It is important to clean and take proper care of your gun regularly in order to ensure the longevity of its operation. Now that you have all the steps before you, get started with the cleaning of your gun already. Once you’ve carefully and thoroughly cleaned your firearm, you are ready to use it.

And, if you’re looking for any firearm accessories, Tactical Taco is the name to trust.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.