Cleaning Frequency

[Fredo]

I’m new to Firearms. I have two Ruger revolvers, a lcr 357 and a Wrangler. I clean them after every trip to the range
I’m thinking of purchasing a Security 9. Does a pistol need to be cleaned after every use too?

 

[hittman]

Yes.
Others will disagree.

 

[bear007]

I don't have a Security 9 but I have a few other Ruger semi-auto handguns, they are all pretty durable guns. You will get answers across the board here but NO, it does not NEED to be cleaned after every use, though I do. It's relaxing time for me cleaning any of my firearms.

 

[Fredo]

I know what you mean. I actually enjoy cleaning my firearms

 

[bear007]

If It's going back in the safe and not being used for a while it gets cleaned. If I know I'll be shooting it again in the next few days then I may let it slide, but that's not often.

 

[Hvymax]

More people wear their guns out cleaning them than shooting them.

 

[beentheredone]

Only a black powder gun "needs" to be cleaned after every use -- and by that I mean, if you don't clean it NOW it will be a hunk of rust tomorrow. Cleaning a gun every time you use it is a good habit, but frankly most guns can do with nothing more than a wipe-down between shooting sessions for dozens or even hundreds of rounds.

I wipe my guns down after every use, even after fond handling or daily carry with no shooting, to prevent surface rust. But a thorough cleaning may not be done for weeks or months. I defy anyone to examine any of the many guns I have owned for 50 years and tell me they see one sign of neglect or abuse in any of them. You won't find any...

 

[Fredo]

Thanks

 

[Hvymax]

In guns that I run Jacketed Ammo in a probably clean the bore every thousand or 2 rounds. I keep CLP handy to spray and wipe. My EDC Max9 gets a weekly check to blow out any lint and lube as needed.

 

[rammerjammer]

Depends

If it's a carry gun, clean it after each use.

I shoot about once per week. I do not clean range guns each time. That is simply far too much cleaning to do every week. Say for my 10/22 I clean once every 500-600 rounds so once every month and a half because I shoot 100 rounds through it each trip.

 

[RC44Mag]

Every time I shoot, cleaning and lubing is mandatory afterwards, my personal rule.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

While I'm typically not a particularly lazy person, I am where cleaning firearms (except when black powder is involved) is concerned...And don't do it anymore often than necessary to keep them functioning as they should.

 

[bear007]

... My EDC Max9 gets a weekly check to blow out any lint and lube as needed.

Same here. I carry IWB and it seems to collect more lint in a few days than I care for. I blow it out regularly and give it a quick wipe down then back in the holster it goes.

Dang, you just made me look at my carry ... and it's got a light layer of lint now.

 

[Captain America]

I clean and lube my guns after every trip the the range, I clean my carry gun once a month...my fragrance is Hoppes #9.

 

[hittman]

I put 100 rounds thru my G43 this morning.
Will clean it this afternoon.
Why?
Because I respect my tools and toys.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Only a black powder gun "needs" to be cleaned after every use -- and by that I mean, if you don't clean it NOW it will be a hunk of rust tomorrow. Cleaning a gun every time you use it is a good habit, but frankly most guns can do with nothing more than a wipe-down between shooting sessions for dozens or even hundreds of rounds.

I wipe my guns down after every use, even after fond handling or daily carry with no shooting, to prevent surface rust. But a thorough cleaning may not be done for weeks or months. I defy anyone to examine any of the many guns I have owned for 50 years and tell me they see one sign of neglect or abuse in any of them. You won't find any...

I hear you. MY range, is 15 paces outside my back door. I may put a magazine or three, or a few cylinders full, whichever the case may be, though as many as 10-12 different guns per week...They get bore snaked, wiped down & put away. Stripping and thorough cleanings perhaps twice or thrice per year. And frankly, there's aways a whole list of things I'd rather be doing than cleaning firearms.

 

[Hvymax]

I hear you. MY range, is 15 paces outside my back door. I may put a magazine or three, or a few cylinders full, whichever the case may be, though as many as 10-12 different guns per week...They get bore snaked, wiped down & put away. Stripping and thorough cleanings perhaps twice or thrice per year. And frankly, there's aways a whole list of things I'd rather be doing than cleaning firearms.

15 paces!!! What a Hike!!! Mines about 10'

 

[Pál_K]

Dang, you just made me look at my carry ... and it's got a light layer of lint now.
View attachment 40311

You'll get less lint if you carry the gun with the slide on.

 

[PRichardson87]

I clean my weapons after every use, didn't know there was any other way

 

[bear007]

You'll get less lint if you carry the gun with the slide on.

Now that's funny lol!

Though the slide was on, when I'm around the house I rarely have 1 in the tube because I have a very fast grabbing 5 y.o. grandson, though lately he has been pretty good about not grabbing or touching any of the guns. With the side on I am really curious how that much lint gets inside, but it does!

 

[peachhead]

More people wear their guns out cleaning them than shooting them.

I've often wondered how running a cotton/linen patch through the barrel is causing more wear than shooting it.

 

[bear007]

^^^ Agreed ^^^

 

[*chillin*]

I'm new to Firearms. I have two Ruger revolvers, a lcr 357 and a Wrangler. I clean them after every trip to the range
I'm thinking of purchasing a Security 9. Does a pistol need to be cleaned after every use too?

Top priority is to make sure you are cleaning it correctly!
Lot’s of damage can occur if not done so.

 

[Mobuck]

I blow the lint out once in a while.

 

[nekvermont]

^^^^^ The air compressor is my most used cleaning tool.

 

[tazbigdog]

Short answer is yes. After every day at the range, I clean them. I also cleaned them once a year if they sit in the gun safe.

 

[OLE_X_ME]

I'm new to Firearms. I have two Ruger revolvers, a lcr 357 and a Wrangler. I clean them after every trip to the range
I'm thinking of purchasing a Security 9. Does a pistol need to be cleaned after every use too?

i care less what others do with thier guns.

i clean & lube my guns after every range trip.

it does not harm the guns.

Hoppes #9, or Kroil, are what i use most times, and i use a spray cleaner (not a CLP) to get into areas a brush or q-tip cannot get into.

and i use a "pancake style" air compressor, bought at Harbor Freight to blow out the gun in areas i cannot get a patch into...(it has an adjustable blow gun to reduce air pressure)

i use either Lucas Extreme duty gun oil, or EWG (extreme weapons grease from Slip 2000) or FP 10, or Mobil 1.. ... for lube points.

sometimes i use Rem oil to lightly rub on the entire gun when it gets put away.

this is what i do, and have been doing, and will continue to do.,

 

[Pál_K]

After every trip to the range, I clean my guns or at least put a boresnake through them and wipe them down if I'm going to shoot them again within the week. Otherwise, I'll do a full cleaning later that day or the next day. Sometimes I will take the boresnake, CLP, and cloth to the range and do a quick-clean of the guns while there.

I've let guns sit in the safe for years without re-cleaning them; I see no damage.

Where cleaning becomes harmful is when metal rods are used aggressively and carelessly from the muzzle end.

 

[Randyzzz]

I pull a lubricated bore-snake through after each use, and wipe them down.

 

[Actnbill]

Black powder most cleaned.....
Semi Auto handguns next....
Revolvers...
Semi Auto Rifles....
Bolt and Lever action rifles....
Scatter guns least....