cleaning

Excoastie · September 19, 2016, 06:15 AM

Good morning everyone!

I'm pretty new to gun ownership, and until yesterday it had been more than 20 yrs since I shot anything.

My accuracy wasn't as good as I was hoping for, but I'm hoping that is mostly being out of practice. I've only put 50 rounds through, so I figure I have a couple hundred more before I get to a point where I feel "proficient".

My question was about cleaning. I purchased a generic pistol cleaning kit from Academy that has the patches, gun bore cleaning oil, lubricating oil, etc. I also purchased a brass bristle brush.

Do I really need anything else other than a lint free rag or two? I've been reading about various types of solvent, lubricants, and gizmos and whorrly gigs that can be used to clean all parts. I'm thinking that most of the other stuff is just a personal preference thing, but figured that I'd ask the experts.

Thanks

Exco

cptjack · September 19, 2016, 06:22 AM

IF SHOOTING a rifle I would suggest a bore guide cleaning from the breech

Excoastie · September 19, 2016, 06:54 AM

Sorry I wasn't clear on my weapons.

I have a S & W SW9VE and a Ruger LCP in .380

Exco

rpseraph · September 19, 2016, 09:58 AM

In my experience, most gizmos and widgets are mostly hype. Some things make certain aspects easier... but if you keep up with cleaning, you don't need much.

Generally, after a few hundred rounds I'll take down the pistol, toothbrush full of gun cleaner (Hoppe's #9 for example) and brush the chamber, the barrel, the slide, wipe it off. Brass brush through the barrel, patch through the barrel, maybe 2 patches if the first came out really dirty. A little lube (anything from motor oil to gun specific lubricants) on the slide rails.

Really unless you have an issue with the gun, a really old worn out gun, a WWII gun packed in grease, or some other extenuating circumstance... gadgets and gizmos are not really ever needed.

My 2 cents.

LCS612 · October 6, 2016, 03:00 PM

I like having a metal dental pick for the tight spaces that sometimes get some fouling packed in them. Other than that, Hoppe's, a rod and patches, a brush, and some Rem oil for the contact points when putting it all back together.

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

FITASC · October 6, 2016, 03:21 PM

With your kit, I'd add an old white athletic sock or similar for an overall wipe down. (Since I wear contacts, I also use those blue vinyl gloves on my hands). I also prefer to use a jag when pushing a patch down the bore as opposed to that loop thing for a patch they put in a kit.

50 shooter · October 7, 2016, 10:50 PM

If you shoot mainly copper jacketed bullets you'll want a copper solvent. One of the best on the market is Boretech's "Eliminator" copper solvent, it's a surfectant and lifts the copper off the steel. Another is "Wipe Out" copper solvent and works the same way as the other, this one is a foam and you squirt it into the barrel. Boretech also make cleaners for lead removal, you can look up their website and check out their products.

Another company called Slip2000 makes alot of good gun cleaning products and lubes, you can check their website out www.slip2000.com

Dufus · October 8, 2016, 09:20 AM

I always use lots of patches.

Go to Wally World and buy a $3.00 bath towel, color of your choice, but I use white.

Depending on caliber, it can be cut into anywhere from 200-800 patches.

If you are a 22 caliber shooter, it amounts to a good many months supply.

September 19, 2016, 06:15 AM	#1
Excoastie Member Join Date: September 18, 2016 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 89	cleaning Good morning everyone! I'm pretty new to gun ownership, and until yesterday it had been more than 20 yrs since I shot anything. My accuracy wasn't as good as I was hoping for, but I'm hoping that is mostly being out of practice. I've only put 50 rounds through, so I figure I have a couple hundred more before I get to a point where I feel "proficient". My question was about cleaning. I purchased a generic pistol cleaning kit from Academy that has the patches, gun bore cleaning oil, lubricating oil, etc. I also purchased a brass bristle brush. Do I really need anything else other than a lint free rag or two? I've been reading about various types of solvent, lubricants, and gizmos and whorrly gigs that can be used to clean all parts. I'm thinking that most of the other stuff is just a personal preference thing, but figured that I'd ask the experts. Thanks Exco __________________ I'm going outside to stand, if anyone asks; tell them I'm OUTSTANDING

September 19, 2016, 06:54 AM	#3
Excoastie Member Join Date: September 18, 2016 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 89	Sorry I wasn't clear on my weapons. I have a S & W SW9VE and a Ruger LCP in .380 Exco __________________ I'm going outside to stand, if anyone asks; tell them I'm OUTSTANDING

October 6, 2016, 03:21 PM	#6
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	With your kit, I'd add an old white athletic sock or similar for an overall wipe down. (Since I wear contacts, I also use those blue vinyl gloves on my hands). I also prefer to use a jag when pushing a patch down the bore as opposed to that loop thing for a patch they put in a kit. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 7, 2016, 10:50 PM	#7
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	If you shoot mainly copper jacketed bullets you'll want a copper solvent. One of the best on the market is Boretech's "Eliminator" copper solvent, it's a surfectant and lifts the copper off the steel. Another is "Wipe Out" copper solvent and works the same way as the other, this one is a foam and you squirt it into the barrel. Boretech also make cleaners for lead removal, you can look up their website and check out their products. Another company called Slip2000 makes alot of good gun cleaning products and lubes, you can check their website out www.slip2000.com __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

September 19, 2016, 06:22 AM	#2
cptjack Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2014 Posts: 314	IF SHOOTING a rifle I would suggest a bore guide cleaning from the breech

September 19, 2016, 09:58 AM	#4
rpseraph Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 454	In my experience, most gizmos and widgets are mostly hype. Some things make certain aspects easier... but if you keep up with cleaning, you don't need much. Generally, after a few hundred rounds I'll take down the pistol, toothbrush full of gun cleaner (Hoppe's #9 for example) and brush the chamber, the barrel, the slide, wipe it off. Brass brush through the barrel, patch through the barrel, maybe 2 patches if the first came out really dirty. A little lube (anything from motor oil to gun specific lubricants) on the slide rails. Really unless you have an issue with the gun, a really old worn out gun, a WWII gun packed in grease, or some other extenuating circumstance... gadgets and gizmos are not really ever needed. My 2 cents.

October 6, 2016, 03:00 PM	#5
LCS612 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 7	I like having a metal dental pick for the tight spaces that sometimes get some fouling packed in them. Other than that, Hoppe's, a rod and patches, a brush, and some Rem oil for the contact points when putting it all back together. Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

October 8, 2016, 09:20 AM	#8
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	I always use lots of patches. Go to Wally World and buy a $3.00 bath towel, color of your choice, but I use white. Depending on caliber, it can be cut into anywhere from 200-800 patches. If you are a 22 caliber shooter, it amounts to a good many months supply.