When to Clean LC.380?

[Triple G]

I am new to gun ownership. I have a LC.380. The manual doesn't say how often one needs to clean it. Does Ruger have a standard for this? Does Ruger have a standard on the best way to clean it? Thanks.

Triple G

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I clean my guns every time I shoot them.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

Call me OCD, but same here. I may just run a bore snake through the barrel if I only shot a dozen rounds or so, but if it has been a while since I cleaned it I'll do a full field strip, clean, and re-lube regardless of round count since lube does dry out and can attract lint and dirt.

Concerning how to clean it, you'll get as many answers as there are readers of this forum. I field strip it, spray Hoppe's No. 9 down the barrel, over the breech face, down the mag well, and over the slide. I use a nylon bore brush to clean the bore and a toothbrush to scrub everything else. Sometimes I blast out blind areas with Gun Scrubber. Wipe dry with a rag and dry the bore with clean patches or a bore snake. A drop of gun oil on the firing pin and dabs of grease on the slide channels, where the barrel locks up with the slide at both ends, and the barrel lug where the pin and recoil spring contact it. Be sparing with your lube, you just need a film. Reassemble, cycle the slide several times to be sure everything works smoothly, and wipe everything down with an oiled gun rag then a clean rag. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[Gregg1LE]

I clean my guns every time I shoot them.

Agreed. Clean and lube your pistol every time you shoot it so it is ready to go when you need it.

 

[groberts]

I, too, clean every time I shoot but I don't shoot that often. I think I read that you should still clean it at least once a year, more often if you live in a humid environment.

 

[Triple G]

Thanks! After asking around when at a store, videos, or range I had many answers. I put through 200 rounds before I cleaned it. She was very dirty. I will take care of her better!

Triple G

 

[DonD]

Concerning how to clean it, you'll get as many answers as there are readers of this forum. I field strip it, spray Hoppe's No. 9 down the barrel, over the breech face, down the mag well, and over the slide. I use a nylon bore brush to clean the bore and a toothbrush to scrub everything else.

Agree with you on the expectation of a large number of different approaches to cleaning but I really wonder what you expect to accomplish with a nylon bore brush? It certainly can't remove any copper fouling and solvent will start to dissolve it. Would really suggest a common metal bore brush. Just my opinion. Don

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

Agree with you on the expectation of a large number of different approaches to cleaning but I really wonder what you expect to accomplish with a nylon bore brush? It certainly can't remove any copper fouling and solvent will start to dissolve it. Would really suggest a common metal bore brush. Just my opinion. Don

I do use a bronze brush when I'm doing a deep cleaning, but not every time. I haven't had much problem with copper fouling. I use the nylon brush just to clean powder residue and Hoppe's No. 9 doesn't affect the nylon. Neither does the polymer safe version of Gun Scrubber.

Cleaning the revolver after shooting lead bullets is a very different story