Proper gun cleaning: bore, barrel, chamber, ect.

XxBUBBLE BASSxX · December 4, 2011, 10:31 PM

I have taken my gun to have it clean but now I am starting to realize that it is getting to expensive. So I have decieded to clean it myself. Now when it comes to guns, I am still a beginner. I have only delt with them for about a few weeks. The only only thing I know to clean a gun is to use Hoppes 9 to clean the bore after shooting, but that is about it. If you all can helpt me out, I would really appreciate it. What I want to know is what products do I use to clean the chamber, bolt, and barrel. After cleaning, what products should I use to oil or lubricated (if necessary)

Thank you

(*_*) · December 4, 2011, 10:43 PM

Ed's red is cheap homemade cleaner, works pretty well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfaCCJjBEU

TheNatureBoy · December 5, 2011, 06:27 AM

Go to youtube. You will find some good instructions ref barrel cleaning.

Doyle · December 5, 2011, 08:00 PM

And don't think that you need to clean your bore after every shooting. I think of bore cleaning along the same lines as changing the oil in your car. You don't change the oil after each time you drive the car - you do it after a certain mileage interval. Treat your gun barrels the same way. I give mine a once-through dry patch with a little CLP on it after a range session, then do a serious scrubbing/decoppering about every 100 rds.

boostedtt91 · December 5, 2011, 09:52 PM

you only have to clean after each time firing, if you are shooting military surplus ammo that is berdan primed (corrosive ammo)

Merad · December 6, 2011, 12:00 AM

I mostly use Breakfree CLP. Hoppes #9 for the bore and anything that's too stubborn for CLP to take off. Shooter's Choice grease for the slides of my auto pistols. Keep a bottle of Hoppe's Elite Gun oil around too, but rarely use it since I started using CLP....

kilimanjaro · December 6, 2011, 12:13 AM

Some folks will tell you it's OK to let it sit for a few days after firing, with clean Boxer-primed ammo, but a gun is expensive enough and needful enough that I don't let mine sit. Clean on-site or the evening of the day of use, unless you have to let it sit for the night due to other committments.

Open the safe twice a year and after you check for a loaded round, run a light oil patch through each barrel, and wipe down the exterior of everything.

If you fire surplus Berdan-primed ammo, don't let it sit for even an hour. Run some Windex down the bore to get the salts out and clean it with boiling water followed by Hoppe's No. 9 as soon as you get it home.

Clean the chamber with a chamber brush, and bolt face and slide ramps and feed areas. Clean the extractor. Dissasemble and clean the spring and bushing faces, any part moving against another needs to be free of dirt or residue and lightly oiled.

C0untZer0 · December 6, 2011, 02:11 AM

A cleaning and lubrication thread WOO HOO !!!

If you want to keep it simple you can't go wrong with BreakFree CLP. It is one cleaner / lubricant / protectant that met the military requirement.

For doing all three it's pretty good.

Here is Sig's videos on cleaning - they're pretty instructive I think:

http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerServ...nceGuides.aspx

For people who like to mix their own stuff:

http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm

Discussion of using motor oil for lube:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...32#post4764932

Corrosion tests:

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

Sport45 · December 6, 2011, 03:20 AM

If firing corrosive (can be Boxer or Berdan primed), clean as soon as you get home starting with a good hot water rinse.

If shooting non-corrosive (can be Boxer or Berdan primed), I clean when I think the gun needs it. My carry gun is cleaned and test fired before carrying. Other handguns go about 500 rounds or once a year, whichever comes first. My rifles are cleaned when I think they need it. Some more often than others.

Ed's Red is a great cleaner for general purpose use. Like any other solvent, swab it around the gun, let it sat and do it's think then wipe it off. A semi-auto handgun takes me about 20 minutes to lean and maybe a dozen patches. The barrel is clean when the patches come out looking like they did when they went in.

Here's a link to a semi-auto handgun cleaning method on recguns.com

December 4, 2011, 10:31 PM	#1
XxBUBBLE BASSxX Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2011 Posts: 6	Proper gun cleaning: bore, barrel, chamber, ect. I have taken my gun to have it clean but now I am starting to realize that it is getting to expensive. So I have decieded to clean it myself. Now when it comes to guns, I am still a beginner. I have only delt with them for about a few weeks. The only only thing I know to clean a gun is to use Hoppes 9 to clean the bore after shooting, but that is about it. If you all can helpt me out, I would really appreciate it. What I want to know is what products do I use to clean the chamber, bolt, and barrel. After cleaning, what products should I use to oil or lubricated (if necessary) Thank you

December 4, 2011, 10:43 PM	#2
(_) Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2011 Location: AL Posts: 160	Ed's red is cheap homemade cleaner, works pretty well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfaCCJjBEU

December 5, 2011, 06:27 AM	#3
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Go to youtube. You will find some good instructions ref barrel cleaning.

December 5, 2011, 08:00 PM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	And don't think that you need to clean your bore after every shooting. I think of bore cleaning along the same lines as changing the oil in your car. You don't change the oil after each time you drive the car - you do it after a certain mileage interval. Treat your gun barrels the same way. I give mine a once-through dry patch with a little CLP on it after a range session, then do a serious scrubbing/decoppering about every 100 rds.

December 5, 2011, 09:52 PM	#5
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	you only have to clean after each time firing, if you are shooting military surplus ammo that is berdan primed (corrosive ammo)

December 6, 2011, 12:00 AM	#6
Merad Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2011 Posts: 350	I mostly use Breakfree CLP. Hoppes #9 for the bore and anything that's too stubborn for CLP to take off. Shooter's Choice grease for the slides of my auto pistols. Keep a bottle of Hoppe's Elite Gun oil around too, but rarely use it since I started using CLP....

December 6, 2011, 12:13 AM	#7
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Some folks will tell you it's OK to let it sit for a few days after firing, with clean Boxer-primed ammo, but a gun is expensive enough and needful enough that I don't let mine sit. Clean on-site or the evening of the day of use, unless you have to let it sit for the night due to other committments. Open the safe twice a year and after you check for a loaded round, run a light oil patch through each barrel, and wipe down the exterior of everything. If you fire surplus Berdan-primed ammo, don't let it sit for even an hour. Run some Windex down the bore to get the salts out and clean it with boiling water followed by Hoppe's No. 9 as soon as you get it home. Clean the chamber with a chamber brush, and bolt face and slide ramps and feed areas. Clean the extractor. Dissasemble and clean the spring and bushing faces, any part moving against another needs to be free of dirt or residue and lightly oiled.

December 6, 2011, 02:11 AM	#8
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	A cleaning and lubrication thread WOO HOO !!! If you want to keep it simple you can't go wrong with BreakFree CLP. It is one cleaner / lubricant / protectant that met the military requirement. For doing all three it's pretty good. Here is Sig's videos on cleaning - they're pretty instructive I think: http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerServ...nceGuides.aspx For people who like to mix their own stuff: http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm Discussion of using motor oil for lube: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...32#post4764932 Corrosion tests: http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

December 6, 2011, 03:20 AM	#9
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	If firing corrosive (can be Boxer or Berdan primed), clean as soon as you get home starting with a good hot water rinse. If shooting non-corrosive (can be Boxer or Berdan primed), I clean when I think the gun needs it. My carry gun is cleaned and test fired before carrying. Other handguns go about 500 rounds or once a year, whichever comes first. My rifles are cleaned when I think they need it. Some more often than others. Ed's Red is a great cleaner for general purpose use. Like any other solvent, swab it around the gun, let it sat and do it's think then wipe it off. A semi-auto handgun takes me about 20 minutes to lean and maybe a dozen patches. The barrel is clean when the patches come out looking like they did when they went in. Here's a link to a semi-auto handgun cleaning method on recguns.com __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.