Novice here with a new/first gun

ARmeds13 · January 2, 2013, 11:37 PM

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 2, 2013, 11:44 PM

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, 12:20 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, 12:30 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, 01:47 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, 03:52 AM

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

Not sent from an IPhone

sourdough44 · January 3, 2013, 04:40 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, 04:51 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, 08:42 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, 04:23 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, 08:37 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, 01:04 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 2, 2013, 11:37 PM	#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, 04:51 AM	#8
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	The Hoppes boresnake is seriously awesome. Let's me keep my AR squeaky clean, which may end up being more important than I realized. __________________ 16 Pistols, 5 Rifles, 1 Shotgun, no time to shoot them

January 3, 2013, 04:23 PM	#10
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	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

January 4, 2013, 01:04 AM	#12
GLI45 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 143	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(2)/Trojan(2)/Edge/Guardian/VIP/Rogue/Ranger III/Sentinel/Tactical 4.0/Escort; Remington Rand-1911A1; Ruger Redhawk/Blackhawk; Sig P238

January 2, 2013, 11:44 PM	#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, 12:20 AM	#3
bitttorrrent Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 703	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, 12:30 AM	#4
Torch Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: The piney woods of Texas Posts: 111	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, 01:47 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, 03:52 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, 04:40 AM	#7
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	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, 08:42 AM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	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, 08:37 PM	#11
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	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.