Novice here with a new/first gun

ARmeds13 · January 3, 2013, 12:37 AM

Hello all and Happy New Years,
I have never owned any sort of firearm, but the interest had been brewing for some time. This year for Christmas I received a lovely and very gently used 2008 Ruger Mark III Hunter, the model with a 4.5" stainless barrel. Anyways, the gifter included a nice set of shooting earmuffs and glasses, and I've been signed up to take the NRA's beginner pistol class as well as our local state's concealed carry course. I was just wondering what supplies I might need to purchase for cleaning/maintaining the gun?

Thanks for any input!

FLGlocker23 · January 3, 2013, 12:44 AM

Hoppes makes a great beginner all in one set for 30$. Find them at Walmart. Has everything u need for basic cleaning. Except you might need to buy a separate phosphorus brush for the barrel because they only have a few of those attachments. I know for a fact it doesn't have the 40-45 caliber brush or the 9mm. But a brush is like 2$. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1357188107.150332.jpg

bitttorrrent · January 3, 2013, 01:20 AM

yes, you don't need much.

I got a 30.00 kit or whatever from my Dad for Christmas when I got back into guns and it was ok.

I would try the newer snake kits.

If you are handy and want to take down your Ruger you may need a plastic or soft hammer to whach the frame. Don't really need to take all the way down but I couldn't resist.

Also some type of range or carry bag.

Torch · January 3, 2013, 01:30 AM

Welcome.

You're doing things right. Mark III is the perfect first pistol. Eyes? Check. Ears? Check. Training? Check.

Your pistol doesn't need more than a bore snake, some q-tips, and some oil; at least for a good long while.

Congrats and enjoy.

FLGlocker23 · January 3, 2013, 02:47 AM

The hoppes bore snake is pretty awesome (my next purchase). It takes care of all the steps of cleaning the barrel in one pull of a rope. Done in 2 seconds.

http://www.hoppes.com/boresnake ImageUploadedByTapatalk1357195449.619045.jpg

dikroundtree · January 3, 2013, 04:52 AM

Also there is the boresnake VIPER. Havent used it but its the newer model.

Not sent from an IPhone

sourdough44 · January 3, 2013, 05:40 AM

That's a great gun to start & get familiar with handgun shooting. For most cleaning all you need is a rod, cut patches & some Hoppes #9. A lightly oiled cloth is great for an overall wipedown too.

LockedBreech · January 3, 2013, 05:51 AM

The Hoppes boresnake is seriously awesome. Let's me keep my AR squeaky clean, which may end up being more important than I realized.

chris in va · January 3, 2013, 09:42 AM

A couple things.

Lots of q-tips. You'll need to get all that black residue out after a few range trips.

Hoppes #9.

Set of Craftsman picks. I use them for those stubborn corner areas around the chamber.

Paper towels.

Tylenol and a decent takedown video.

ClydeFrog · January 3, 2013, 05:23 PM

New firearm owners or entry level shooters should get a few items & learn the local gun laws.
Here are a few websites; www.paladin-press.com www.gunvideo.com www.gunlawguide.com www.nra.org www.midwayusa.com www.sgammo.com www.natchezss.com www.brownells.com .
A good CLP(clean protect lube) like LPX, Gunzilla, Weaponshield, or Ballistol could work. A little bit goes a long way. Don't use a lot of CLP or oil.
Keep your firearm(s) secured when not in use & store ammunition in a seperate, secured location.
Get skill training and practice when you can.

Clyde

TailGator · January 3, 2013, 09:37 PM

Fine pistol, and thoughtful to include accessories. That was a very well-considered and generous gift. Congrats and welcome aboard.

Good advice so far. I also keep some pipe cleaners in my cleaning box. I have tried several cleaning solvents and I keep coming back to Hoppes #9.

GLI45 · January 4, 2013, 02:04 AM

Congrats on getting a really nice Xmas gift. My wife and I each have Mark IIIs. Really accurate and fun to shoot. Ditto to what's been said about picking up a simple all in one cleaning kit and a bore snake. I also use a set (4) of hard plastic picks (they look like dental picks) for those hard to reach places in all my handguns. They are inexpensive. I picked mine up at a gun show, but I'm sure they can be found online or at gun stores.

January 3, 2013, 12:37 AM	#1
ARmeds13 Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 1	Novice here with a new/first gun Hello all and Happy New Years, I have never owned any sort of firearm, but the interest had been brewing for some time. This year for Christmas I received a lovely and very gently used 2008 Ruger Mark III Hunter, the model with a 4.5" stainless barrel. Anyways, the gifter included a nice set of shooting earmuffs and glasses, and I've been signed up to take the NRA's beginner pistol class as well as our local state's concealed carry course. I was just wondering what supplies I might need to purchase for cleaning/maintaining the gun? Thanks for any input!

January 3, 2013, 05:51 AM	#8
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,310	The Hoppes boresnake is seriously awesome. Let's me keep my AR squeaky clean, which may end up being more important than I realized. __________________ Beretta PX4 .40 - Colt 1968 Detective Special .38 Spc. - Ruger LCP .380 - Daniel Defense M4V1 Carbine 5.56 - Ruger 10/22 .22LR - Remington 870 Express Tactical 12GA

January 3, 2013, 05:23 PM	#10
ClydeFrog Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 3,877	Entry level gun owner; items.... New firearm owners or entry level shooters should get a few items & learn the local gun laws. Here are a few websites; www.paladin-press.com www.gunvideo.com www.gunlawguide.com www.nra.org www.midwayusa.com www.sgammo.com www.natchezss.com www.brownells.com . A good CLP(clean protect lube) like LPX, Gunzilla, Weaponshield, or Ballistol could work. A little bit goes a long way. Don't use a lot of CLP or oil. Keep your firearm(s) secured when not in use & store ammunition in a seperate, secured location. Get skill training and practice when you can. Clyde __________________ Speed's fine, but accuracy's final.

January 4, 2013, 02:04 AM	#12
GLI45 Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 74	Congrats on getting a really nice Xmas gift. My wife and I each have Mark IIIs. Really accurate and fun to shoot. Ditto to what's been said about picking up a simple all in one cleaning kit and a bore snake. I also use a set (4) of hard plastic picks (they look like dental picks) for those hard to reach places in all my handguns. They are inexpensive. I picked mine up at a gun show, but I'm sure they can be found online or at gun stores. __________________ STI Eagle 6.0, STI Trojan, STI Edge, STI Guardian, STI VIP, STI Rogue, STI Ranger III, STI Sentinal, STI Tactical 4.0, STI Escort, Remington Rand 1911A1, Ruger Redhawk, EAA Witness Custom

January 3, 2013, 12:44 AM	#2
FLGlocker23 Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 27	Hoppes makes a great beginner all in one set for 30$. Find them at Walmart. Has everything u need for basic cleaning. Except you might need to buy a separate phosphorus brush for the barrel because they only have a few of those attachments. I know for a fact it doesn't have the 40-45 caliber brush or the 9mm. But a brush is like 2$. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1357188107.150332.jpg

January 3, 2013, 01:20 AM	#3
bitttorrrent Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 589	yes, you don't need much. I got a 30.00 kit or whatever from my Dad for Christmas when I got back into guns and it was ok. I would try the newer snake kits. If you are handy and want to take down your Ruger you may need a plastic or soft hammer to whach the frame. Don't really need to take all the way down but I couldn't resist. Also some type of range or carry bag.

January 3, 2013, 01:30 AM	#4
Torch Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: The piney woods of Texas Posts: 96	Welcome. You're doing things right. Mark III is the perfect first pistol. Eyes? Check. Ears? Check. Training? Check. Your pistol doesn't need more than a bore snake, some q-tips, and some oil; at least for a good long while. Congrats and enjoy.

January 3, 2013, 02:47 AM	#5
FLGlocker23 Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 27	The hoppes bore snake is pretty awesome (my next purchase). It takes care of all the steps of cleaning the barrel in one pull of a rope. Done in 2 seconds. http://www.hoppes.com/boresnake ImageUploadedByTapatalk1357195449.619045.jpg

January 3, 2013, 04:52 AM	#6
dikroundtree Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 4	Also there is the boresnake VIPER. Havent used it but its the newer model. Not sent from an IPhone

January 3, 2013, 05:40 AM	#7
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 599	That's a great gun to start & get familiar with handgun shooting. For most cleaning all you need is a rod, cut patches & some Hoppes #9. A lightly oiled cloth is great for an overall wipedown too.

January 3, 2013, 09:42 AM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	A couple things. Lots of q-tips. You'll need to get all that black residue out after a few range trips. Hoppes #9. Set of Craftsman picks. I use them for those stubborn corner areas around the chamber. Paper towels. Tylenol and a decent takedown video.

January 3, 2013, 09:37 PM	#11
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,604	Fine pistol, and thoughtful to include accessories. That was a very well-considered and generous gift. Congrats and welcome aboard. Good advice so far. I also keep some pipe cleaners in my cleaning box. I have tried several cleaning solvents and I keep coming back to Hoppes #9.