first Brand new pistol tomorrow, what should be done?

proxpilot · September 29, 2010, 03:56 PM

receiving my first ever BN pistol. what all should be done to it before firing? prolly a good cleaning? anything should be done to the mags?

.40cal · September 29, 2010, 04:12 PM

I would name it first. I try to give all of my guns names. Am I weird?

aarondhgraham · September 29, 2010, 04:19 PM

Give it a good cleaning to get all of the factory crud out of it.

Then fondle it and load it carefully,,,
Relish the feel of that first recoil,,,
Savor that first shot experience.

I jest my friend,,,

I think I was 47 years old before I bought a brand new handgun,,,
There is something very special about that first round,,,
Knowing that no one else has fired this pistol.

BTW: What did you get for your first brand new handgun?

Also: if .40 cal is weird for naming his handguns,,,
Then so am I because all of my bullet spittin' ladies have names.

.

TimNelson · September 29, 2010, 04:21 PM

lots of fondling and drooling, maybe some pictures put on the forum so everyone can tell you what a good choice you made...and then clean it and shoot it

proxpilot · September 29, 2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

BTW: What did you get for your first brand new handgun?

Springfield XD Subcompact .40 S&W

.40cal · September 29, 2010, 04:28 PM

Congrats on your purchase. Seriously, I would give it a good cleaning before fired one round through it. I guess its sort of like a tradition with me. Not just new guns either. I just like cleaning them . I know there are others that know exactly what I mean.

gwnorth · September 29, 2010, 04:36 PM

I always field strip, clean and inspect thoroughly. Then re-lube and go shoot.

The reason I think you should give everything a good, intense inspection is that if there is a problem (burr, issue with finish, fit or whatever) you can at least document it or go right back to the dealer to have it dealt with under warranty. I'd think you will get a better response that way then going out, shooting a bunch of rounds through it and then showing up saying "such and such" is wrong with it and was when you got it.

That said, I've yet to have to take a new gun back for any issues (knock wood).

Plus, there's always some gunk or rust preventative goop in there, so might as well start off with a nice clean gun lubed properly for shooting, not storage. And it gives you a chance to get good and familiar with it before you show up at the range with it in hand.

LanceOregon · September 29, 2010, 04:42 PM

You first want to use a good degreaser cleaner, to get out all of the stuff put on the gun at the factory to preserve it. Shooter's Choice Shotgun cleaner is what I would use for that. You could wipe the magazines with it too.

Then put a high quality lubricant on the gun, following the instructions in the gun's owners manual on where to apply it.

Slip 2000 is a great lubricant that I like a lot.

Mike-Mat · September 29, 2010, 05:23 PM

Agreed: A good cleaning. Read the manual. Get familiar with how it breaks down.

Then a nice new box of shells and off to the range.

hardworker · September 29, 2010, 05:29 PM

Hate to be a negative nancy but aren't all guns fired at the factory before being shipped? Besides that, you could clean it I suppose. I don't. Maybe they're cleaned at the gun store where I got them. I don't know. I usually shoot it for a while then clean it.

RWBlue01 · September 29, 2010, 06:00 PM

#1. Read the manual. I am a long time gun nut. There are very few things I learn in the manual, but I read the manual.
#2. Take lots of pictures. Right now the gun is not scratched marked dented dropped.....
#3. Clean the gun. Take more pictures as you take it a part and put it back together. This will allow you to have a reference point. If there is an issue, question....later you will know how it came to you, even if you miss the issue in the inspection.
#4. Take it somewhere and shoot it.
#5. Take it home and clean it. Note if you have any wear points. If you think you need more pictures, take more pictures.
#6. Post a shooting report. We expect pictures. We expect to know how it does with a 5 shot group and we need you to shoot another 5 shot group with your first gun as a comparison.

Misssissippi Dave · September 29, 2010, 06:17 PM

Re-read RWBlue01's post again.

I think maybe a half case of ammo might be needed to get the feel of you new pistol. It sounds like nice number of rounds to have some fun.

You might want to take the magazines apart to clean them as well.

Congratulations.

scorpion_tyr · September 29, 2010, 10:54 PM

Repeat RWBlue01's steps #4 & #5 as necessary. But yes, just give it a good quick clean and a light coat of oil.

Kreyzhorse · September 30, 2010, 07:15 AM

1. It never hurts to read the manual first.

2. Clean it.

3. Lube it.

4. Fire it.

gwnorth · September 30, 2010, 07:32 AM

Hardworker - while most guns are test fired (any reputable maker will) not all are. I don't think there is any legal requirement to do so (?). Regardless, many then slather on some rust preventive lube before packaging and shipping. This may be great for storage but it is often less than ideal for use. Most shops also may wipe down the exterior, but I doubt many actually do anything to the internals.

If nothing else cleaning it may save you from having it squirt molten grease at you when you shoot it the first time.

Skans · September 30, 2010, 08:14 AM

Nothing. Just load up the magazine, insert magazine and fire. Seriously, new guns come lubed from the factory. Shoot 'em till they don't shoot anymore.

lee n. field · September 30, 2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

receiving my first ever BN pistol. what all should be done to it before firing? prolly a good cleaning?

RTFM, then clean it, lube it per the manual, shoot it.

If there's any way to give it an "idiot mark", do so now, to get it over with and out of your system. (That's a joke.

)

Quote:

anything should be done to the mags?

Load them with ammo.

proxpilot · September 30, 2010, 06:27 PM

well got it today and gave it a bath. here is a pic of the family so far.

PS any Springfield owners know why you cant insert a Mag with the slide closed??

Pat T · September 30, 2010, 07:19 PM

Reading the thread and have a question regarding LanceOregon's recommendation of using a shotgun and choke tube cleaner on a polymer gun, is this a problem? Would a polymer safe type like Gun Scrubber for polymers be a better choice or is this not an issue? Only reason I mention it is because the shotgun cleaners are designed to break down plastic wad fouling in the chokes, if I'm not mistaken..

Congrats on the new gun Proxpilot!

Thanks guys!

medic176 · September 30, 2010, 08:17 PM

I just checked, you should be able to insert a mag with the slide closed. Mine does it, easily.

lee n. field · September 30, 2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

PS any Springfield owners know why you cant insert a Mag with the slide closed??

You should be able to. Try loading the magazine with one less than full capacity of cartridges.

proxpilot · September 30, 2010, 08:42 PM

well i got it to go in. the standard mag seems to be the one giving me the most grief. i dont know if it because i put the pinky extender on there or if it is because it is brand new. when i do finally get it in the mag release is hard to push.

losijon · September 30, 2010, 09:01 PM

like state above,try it without one of the rounds in the mag. after some firing and stuff starts to wear in and the mag spring loosens up you should be fine

Davey · September 30, 2010, 09:32 PM

I have an XD 45 service myself and I've never had trouble putting in a magazine with the slide closed.

ET. · September 30, 2010, 09:32 PM

The mag springs just have to loosen up over the next several weeks before you'll be able to insert the full mag with ease with the slide closed ...fwiw

September 29, 2010, 05:23 PM	#9
Mike-Mat Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 361	Agreed: A good cleaning. Read the manual. Get familiar with how it breaks down. Then a nice new box of shells and off to the range. __________________ Mike Mattera - Tips For Mfg Video Training For CadCam Systems http://www.tipsforcadcam.com

September 29, 2010, 06:00 PM	#11
RWBlue01 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2008 Posts: 178	#1. Read the manual. I am a long time gun nut. There are very few things I learn in the manual, but I read the manual. #2. Take lots of pictures. Right now the gun is not scratched marked dented dropped..... #3. Clean the gun. Take more pictures as you take it a part and put it back together. This will allow you to have a reference point. If there is an issue, question....later you will know how it came to you, even if you miss the issue in the inspection. #4. Take it somewhere and shoot it. #5. Take it home and clean it. Note if you have any wear points. If you think you need more pictures, take more pictures. #6. Post a shooting report. We expect pictures. We expect to know how it does with a 5 shot group and we need you to shoot another 5 shot group with your first gun as a comparison. Last edited by RWBlue01; September 30, 2010 at 07:51 AM. Reason: typo

September 29, 2010, 10:54 PM	#13
scorpion_tyr Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,326	Repeat RWBlue01's steps #4 & #5 as necessary. But yes, just give it a good quick clean and a light coat of oil. __________________ “Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme delight.” - Thomas Jefferson

September 30, 2010, 07:15 AM	#14
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	1. It never hurts to read the manual first. 2. Clean it. 3. Lube it. 4. Fire it. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

September 30, 2010, 06:27 PM	#18
proxpilot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2010 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 588	well got it today and gave it a bath. here is a pic of the family so far. PS any Springfield owners know why you cant insert a Mag with the slide closed?? __________________ W. German SIG Sauer p226 W. German SIG Sauer P6 Springfield Armory XD-S

September 29, 2010, 03:56 PM	#1
proxpilot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2010 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 588	first Brand new pistol tomorrow, what should be done? updated pic receiving my first ever BN pistol. what all should be done to it before firing? prolly a good cleaning? anything should be done to the mags? __________________ W. German SIG Sauer p226 W. German SIG Sauer P6 Springfield Armory XD-S Last edited by proxpilot; September 30, 2010 at 06:26 PM.

September 29, 2010, 04:12 PM	#2
.40cal Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Location: Somewhere in SC Posts: 216	I would name it first. I try to give all of my guns names. Am I weird? __________________ *"The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20.”*

September 29, 2010, 04:19 PM	#3
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	You already said it,,, Give it a good cleaning to get all of the factory crud out of it. Then fondle it and load it carefully,,, Relish the feel of that first recoil,,, Savor that first shot experience. I jest my friend,,, I think I was 47 years old before I bought a brand new handgun,,, There is something very special about that first round,,, Knowing that no one else has fired this pistol. BTW: What did you get for your first brand new handgun? Also: if .40 cal is weird for naming his handguns,,, Then so am I because all of my bullet spittin' ladies have names. . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 29, 2010, 04:21 PM	#4
TimNelson Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2008 Posts: 304	lots of fondling and drooling, maybe some pictures put on the forum so everyone can tell you what a good choice you made...and then clean it and shoot it

September 29, 2010, 04:28 PM	#6
.40cal Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Location: Somewhere in SC Posts: 216	Congrats on your purchase. Seriously, I would give it a good cleaning before fired one round through it. I guess its sort of like a tradition with me. Not just new guns either. I just like cleaning them . I know there are others that know exactly what I mean. __________________ *"The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20.”*

September 29, 2010, 04:36 PM	#7
gwnorth Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 692	I always field strip, clean and inspect thoroughly. Then re-lube and go shoot. The reason I think you should give everything a good, intense inspection is that if there is a problem (burr, issue with finish, fit or whatever) you can at least document it or go right back to the dealer to have it dealt with under warranty. I'd think you will get a better response that way then going out, shooting a bunch of rounds through it and then showing up saying "such and such" is wrong with it and was when you got it. That said, I've yet to have to take a new gun back for any issues (knock wood). Plus, there's always some gunk or rust preventative goop in there, so might as well start off with a nice clean gun lubed properly for shooting, not storage. And it gives you a chance to get good and familiar with it before you show up at the range with it in hand.

September 29, 2010, 04:42 PM	#8
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	You first want to use a good degreaser cleaner, to get out all of the stuff put on the gun at the factory to preserve it. Shooter's Choice Shotgun cleaner is what I would use for that. You could wipe the magazines with it too. Then put a high quality lubricant on the gun, following the instructions in the gun's owners manual on where to apply it. Slip 2000 is a great lubricant that I like a lot.

September 29, 2010, 05:29 PM	#10
hardworker Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 820	Hate to be a negative nancy but aren't all guns fired at the factory before being shipped? Besides that, you could clean it I suppose. I don't. Maybe they're cleaned at the gun store where I got them. I don't know. I usually shoot it for a while then clean it.

September 29, 2010, 06:17 PM	#12
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	Re-read RWBlue01's post again. I think maybe a half case of ammo might be needed to get the feel of you new pistol. It sounds like nice number of rounds to have some fun. You might want to take the magazines apart to clean them as well. Congratulations.

September 30, 2010, 07:32 AM	#15
gwnorth Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 692	Hardworker - while most guns are test fired (any reputable maker will) not all are. I don't think there is any legal requirement to do so (?). Regardless, many then slather on some rust preventive lube before packaging and shipping. This may be great for storage but it is often less than ideal for use. Most shops also may wipe down the exterior, but I doubt many actually do anything to the internals. If nothing else cleaning it may save you from having it squirt molten grease at you when you shoot it the first time.

September 30, 2010, 08:14 AM	#16
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Nothing. Just load up the magazine, insert magazine and fire. Seriously, new guns come lubed from the factory. Shoot 'em till they don't shoot anymore.

September 30, 2010, 07:19 PM	#19
Pat T Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2009 Location: NW PA Posts: 108	Reading the thread and have a question regarding LanceOregon's recommendation of using a shotgun and choke tube cleaner on a polymer gun, is this a problem? Would a polymer safe type like Gun Scrubber for polymers be a better choice or is this not an issue? Only reason I mention it is because the shotgun cleaners are designed to break down plastic wad fouling in the chokes, if I'm not mistaken.. Congrats on the new gun Proxpilot! Thanks guys!

September 30, 2010, 08:17 PM	#20
medic176 Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 72	I just checked, you should be able to insert a mag with the slide closed. Mine does it, easily. __________________ This growing old sucks, but it beats the alternative.

September 30, 2010, 08:42 PM	#22
proxpilot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2010 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 588	well i got it to go in. the standard mag seems to be the one giving me the most grief. i dont know if it because i put the pinky extender on there or if it is because it is brand new. when i do finally get it in the mag release is hard to push. __________________ W. German SIG Sauer p226 W. German SIG Sauer P6 Springfield Armory XD-S

September 30, 2010, 09:01 PM	#23
losijon Member Join Date: May 6, 2010 Location: AZ Posts: 65	like state above,try it without one of the rounds in the mag. after some firing and stuff starts to wear in and the mag spring loosens up you should be fine

September 30, 2010, 09:32 PM	#24
Davey Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2010 Location: Not far enough from Chicago Posts: 394	I have an XD 45 service myself and I've never had trouble putting in a magazine with the slide closed.

September 30, 2010, 09:32 PM	#25
ET. Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2010 Location: Savannah, Ga. Posts: 638	The mag springs just have to loosen up over the next several weeks before you'll be able to insert the full mag with ease with the slide closed ...fwiw __________________ Soldiers are dying every day to protect our freedoms. The least we can do is vote.