Firearm Cleaning Tips

   All firearm owners from novice to experts should know the importance of keeping your firearm clean and in optimal firing condition at all times. If you take care of your firearm, it will take care of you and that is why it is critical that you perform maintenance and cleaning after you have fired the weapon, exposed it to the elements, handled the weapon extensively, etc. Hopefully, these tips will provide you with the necessary information to help you properly maintain your beloved firearm.

  First and foremost, the important thing to always practice and remember when working with any firearms is SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY! This point can never be stressed enough because hundreds if not thousands of people are accidently injured or killed every year because they did not practice proper gun safety. The ole "I think or know the gun is unloaded" is never acceptable because you should ALWAYS CHECK AND RECHECK to ensure the weapon is empty of rounds. This should always be done even if you are totally sure you are the last one to handle the firearm and you think you know it is empty.

  ALWAYS keep any firearm out of the reach of children and only let a youth handle any firearm under responsible adult supervision. You can purchase trigger locks and always keep them on as an added safety measure if you have children. Keep your firearm unloaded and the ammunition in separate and secure locations or use lock boxes or gun safes. When you feel that your children are of the appropriate age, instruct them on proper firearm safety (this should include the entire family) and let them know that any firearm is not a toy.

  Visually inspect your firearm to ensure that it is clear of debris that can obstruct the firing mechanism and barrel. Check for signs of excessive wear, cracks, worn parts, and ensure that ammunition is in proper condition. This will ensure your safety and the safety of the firearm. If you are not an expert or qualified gunsmith, always consult a Professional to replace any parts to ensure the proper part installation and function. Consult the firearm owners' manual if you have questions or concerns in regards to your firearm or consult a qualified Professional. You should only disassemble the firearm to the point needed to reach areas where powder residue and fouling accumulation has occurred (the bore, chamber, bolt, etc.). You will see this information again.

 

Ok, enough of the preaching, lets get to the tips.

  The most important tool that you will need to purchase and put some thought into, is the cleaning kit. There are tons of them out there on the market, but there are a few considerations you might want to think about.

1. If you have a single firearm then you can purchase a small kit that contains only the necessary tools to fit your firearm.

2. If you have multiple firearms and different caliber sizes, you may want to consider purchasing a universal kit that contains various sizes to fit the various calibers or gages.

3. Always ensure that the kits come with instructions and contain the oils and lubricants needed, otherwise you may have to purchase them separately.

4. Do some research and find out what the proper oils and lubricants you should use are and in what amounts.

5. I would consider purchasing two cleaning kits, one that is universal and has everything you need plus some that stays at home and a basic field cleaning kit that you can take hunting or that will travel with you.

GUN CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

1. SAFETY FIRST- Always check the chamber to ensure the firearm is unloaded before attempting to clean. Remove any clips or magazines, you should never attempt to clean a firearm with a clip or magazine in the firearm.

2. Do not disassemble the firearm beyond what the manufacturer has recommended in the owner’s manual or what you need to clean. Lay the parts you remove out in an organized manner so that you know in what order your removed them. When you get ready to put everything back together, you can simply go in reverse order.

3. While disassembled, inspect for cracks, signs of excessive wear, rust, debris, and other things that could damage the firearm or prevent proper operation. Again, consult with a qualified gunsmith or technician for any necessary repairs.

4. Clean your firearm from the breech end whenever possible. If this method of cleaning is not possible, take precautions not to push debris into the action. Be sure to use the included Muzzle Guard if the cleaning is done from muzzle end. This will help to protect the crown (the area where the bullet exits the muzzle) from nicks and wearing. Protection of this area is critical to shooting accuracy. This is also an excellent tool to keep the cleaning rod centered when cleaning from the breech end.

5. Select the proper Jag or Patch Holder and correct size patch for your application. Saturate the patch with No. 10 Solvent or No. 10 Copper Cutter.

6. Run the patch down the barrel to soak the fouled bore. Remove soiled patch from rod as it exits the end of the bore. Pulling the patch back through can redeposit fouling and draw debris into the action. Let the solvent soak a couple of minutes to help remove any lead or carbon buildup.

7. Remove the Jag or Patch Holder, and attach the appropriate bore brush. Saturate the brush with the solvent and work it back and forth through the bore 3-6 times. Reattach the Jag or Patch Holder with a soaked patch, and run down the bore with new patches until they emerge clean. Run a dry patch down the bore to remove any remaining residue. Check barrel for traces of fouling and repeat process if necessary.

8. Place 3-4 drops of Formula 3 Gun Conditioner or TW25B High Tech Lubricant (follow the suggested instructions for the product) on a patch or Cotton Mop and run it down the cleaned bore to leave a light coating of rust preventative behind.

9. Using the double ended Nylon Gun Brush soaked in No. 10 Solvent or Copper Cutter, begin to remove any unburnt powder or debris in and around the action. If available, use a degreaser, such as Kleen-Bore’s “Gunk-Out” to remove loosened fouling and wipe with a clean cloth. Be sure to lightly lubricate all surfaces that have been degreased, and all moving parts. This will aid in rust prevention as well as increase the life of the firearm. Do not over lubricate, this can cause the action to become gummy, allowing dust and debris to collect.

10. When reassembling the firearm, be sure to wipe down any metal surfaces that you have come in contact with, due to the oils that are on the skin. The Silicone Gun and Reel Cloth are ideal for this. It will remove handling marks, restore luster, and provide rust protection. Wearing latex gloves when handling the firearm will help prevent the oils from getting on the metal and reduce the risk of rust. This will also reduce the need for cleaning due to excessive handling.

11. CAUTION: Before any firearm is fired, be sure the bore is free of any obstruction. This may cause bodily harm or death, as well as damage to your firearm. Never attempt to shoot an obstruction clear.

The following are a more detailed focus on cleaning the Bore and Action:

CLEANING THE BORE

1. Dip a patch in No. 10 or No. 11 Copper Cutter Solvent and pass it, on a jag or patch holder, through the bore several times to penetrate and loosen fouling. Work from the rear whenever possible and don't pull the dirty patch back through the bore. Note: use the muzzle guard to center the rod and help protect the bore.

2. Dip a phosphor bronze brush of the proper size in solvent and pass it through the bore several times. Again, work from the rear and go in one direction only.

3. Pass clean, dry patches through the bore until there are no signs of residue on the patch. Work from the rear and go in one direction only.

4. Lightly lubricate (just a dab of TW25 or 3 or 4 drops of Formula 3) a bore mop of the proper size and pass it through the bore 3 or 4 times.

CLEANING THE ACTION

1. Dip a nylon or phosphor bronze gun brush in solvent and scrub areas where powder residues and fouling build up (top strap, forcing cone, ejectors, slides, etc.).

2. Follow the same procedure on bolts, frames, trigger assemblies, etc. to loosen burnt powder, old lubrication and other fouling.

3. Blast away loose fouling with a powerful cleaner/degreaser like Gunk Out to prepare for proper lubrication.

4. LUBRICATION: Sparingly use a quality lubricant like TW25 B, Formula 3 or Super Lube to protect moving parts and inhibit rust. Remember not to over lubricate.

5. After reassembling the gun, wipe all exposed metal surfaces with a silicone gun and reel cloth to eliminate fingerprints and provide rust protection. If gun is to be stored for a length of time, consider using Rust Guardit for long-term protection.