Kyo

So after the range today I came back to clean the p345 off. Bought a kit, used the solvent with brush, got the crap out and then some out of everything I thought was good. I stripped it and put it back to make sure it worked, and then after tonight I stripped it and put some Hoppes in it. Seriously, this is almost as fun as shooting it.

jessicasdad

I am right there with you .. I have a GP100 that I FINALLY got to the range .. and when I got home went out to the garage and spent a while taking it apart, cleaning and then re-assembling it. Something very Zen about the whole thing, putting it away till next time.

BronxBoy

"Something very Zen about the whole thing..."

I'll second the motion and add that this, to me, is therapeutic. So is it... what's good for the gun is good for the shooter?

WooD

Back in the day, I'd take a rifle case full of handguns to my shooting location.

I hated the fact of having to clean them all afterwards. I always wished I could just toss them in the dishwasher.

I love guns, and love to shoot, but man I hate cleaning them now days.

freedom45

KYO: nice post, sir. I am surprised by the number of gunowners that come into our shop asking if we cleaned guns! I am amazed; at least half a dozen a week want us to clean their rifle, or pistol or revolver and some of them are dedicated shooters. We jest that it is akin to asking us to wipe their butt for them after they go to the john!!

When someone asks about getting into reloading, I usually ask them if they enjoy cleaning their firearms after a range session. If they answer "no" then I suggest they will probably not care for the whole process of reloading either.

madtown

Using Eezox makes the cleaning a LOT easier. It is kinda theraputic. It's relaxing. I don't mind it so much now except for my AR-15. That thing is a PITA! How anybody in the field can keep those things spotless is beyond me. So many nooks and crannies, and hard to get at places. Jeez, maybe I'm just too anal about it. My handguns and AK are a breeze compared to that Bushy.

Teddybear

I've been shooting since I was 5, going with my dad and an old family friend that was a Sgt Maj in the U.S. Army. After every shooting session, the Sgt Maj would insist on a cleaning session. I still follow this to this day. It's a good habit.

DArBad

Hi KYO.
I was laughing out loud while reading your post. Iam just like you. I do find disassembling my guns, cleaning them, reassembling, fiddling very relaxing and very enjoyable as much as shooting. My five 1911's gets the whole treatment whether they need it or not. My new GP 100 Iam just bonding with, and starting to learn its innards. I just love the smell of Hoppe's and gunsteel together. My family calls me --- The Gun Nut---

Bullitholz

"I love the smell of Hoppes in the evening...."

I have known guys that say they love their hobby and then I have found out that there was a certain "aspect" of that hobby that they tended to ignore or, worse, let/paid someone else to do!?

I'm sorry but if you pay other people to build your engine for your hobby car, build your model planes for you or clean your guns your NOT a true hobbyist in my book. You can always pick these types out of the crowd too, they are the guys with all of the best toys and all the "gadgets" to go along with them. These people also tend to be overly willing to tell you about all of their toys and show very little interest in you or yours...attention hounds looking for friends is the best way I can describe them I guess. Most are harmless but a select few usually are the guys that kill clubs and take all of the fun out of going to the ranges.

Yeah, that's a question that "separates the men from the boys"..."Do you like to clean your guns!?" It's amazing how simple things can be sometimes.

Kyo

Hey man before I picked up my first firearm I didn't know how to do it either. Hell even after shooting it I didn't know. I learned how to strip it and clean it online. Many places do offer gun cleaning services around in the ranges. 25 bucks a pop. I would LOVE to have that job! Of course if I knew how to strip every gun that was given to me to clean
I agree with you though, I am a DIYer, and I learned lots from fucking up my own stuff! Car performance mods, Subs/amps, springs, sway bars, building basements, installing AC's, building decks, siding, roofing, blah blah blah. I think its fun. And its MUCH cheaper too!

sammyh312

I just dont thnk i could have someone else clean my guns. Maybe its a military thing, but thats the first thing i do, whether its got one round or one thousand thru it, it gets cleaned.

MagnumWill

I'm the same way, sammy. I'll even clean my friend's guns, cause I know ill do a better job

I certainly love the whole nomenclature of it. Even if they're spotless, i'll go clean 'em again. I look at it mathematically- you can NEVER get all the dirt out

Chief_10Beers

I've done that a time or two.....................

I'll only take two or three Guns to the range, but I do take my sweet arse time cleaning them.........................

BronxBoy

Me too! But when I do sit down to clean them I do enjoy that time!

Brian48

Yeah, I used to think cleaning my guns were cool, at least when it's only one or two. A few years ago, I invited some friends (non-gun owners) to the range in order to get them interested in the sport and brought a long about 7 different guns. They had a blast and I think I created a few converts that day.

Anyway, I always clean my guns and mags after using them. This is something that was engrained in me since my days in the USMC and I’m real anal retentive about this. That night, I took to cleaning them before they went back into storage.

The first gun – a lot fun. Got to chance to carefully handle and admire all the pieces as I was cleaning it.

The second gun – still fun, but……it was getting to be routine. I wasn’t admiring so much as I was more concerned about carefully cleaning all the pieces.

The third gun – OK, I’m getting a little bored, but the Jarhead side kicks in and I just proceed with cleaning carefully as if it was a mission.

The fourth gun – Sigh. Now I’m getting a little tired (and it’s getting late). Oh well, march on.

The Fifth gun – Grumble. Now I’m tired and I’m getting friggin’ hungry.

The Sixth gun – God Damn! WTF? My hands are friggin’ sore from all the scrubbing.

The Seventh gun - Sonavb*&%# and [other explicatives]. The friggin’ bastards can bring their own guns next time.

Needless to say, a lot of the fun was taken out of cleaning my guns after that. Ever since then, I refuse to take more than two guns to the range.

Chief_10Beers

Learned my lesson, took all 5 of my guns to the range. I started cleaning about 6pm and didn't finnish untill 1am..... No more of that crap.................

BoogeyMan

My Thoughts on Cleaning!{ warning: may turn into a "war Story"]
*Its HAS to be done
*It shows PRIDE in your weapon
*Your life COULD depend on it......BUT,
Boy I hate having to do it!
I know ,I know...........,but in the Army we would come back from Tank Gunnery and ALL the small arms and crew served weapons ranges and disassemble all the weapons & dump'em in a 55 gal drum cut in half ,full of diesel.(not all at one time)
That dad-gum Armorer would NEVER pass your weapon clean the 1st time you tried to turn it in to the Arms Room.(I hated that guy
GOD..... I still hate that smell of cleaning solvent
I guess its like a 'flash back' from Germany and Ft. Bliss Tx but I do not 'enjoy' cleaning a gun,but I DO IT!
Stay SAFE! BoogeyMan

MagnumWill

Heh. My girlfriend's dad figured this out when he was on base- wait to go to the armorer until about 5 minutes before he's gonna close up shop, then bring it to him

mdw104

A long time ago, I didn't care too much for cleaning my guns after visiting the range...But now, I would have to agree, its sorta relaxing. And I do a better job cleaning my GP100 now too, especially on the cylinder face and around the forcing cone and frame area around it. (I think thats the proper terminology.) I do prefer to only take a couple of guns to the range at a time though. I've cleaned five before and it takes quite some time to do that.

Woolly999

I love taking my guns apart and putting them back together. And cleaning them is something I like to take my time doing.

frenchy

I enjoy cleaning the GP. Tonight I opened it up for the fist time. removed grip screw, removed grips, removed main spring, removed hammer. Then I went for the trigger assembly but the pin was too hard to push without some kind of tool. Ill have to think of a solution. Anyway, it is a process and I love learning, and doing. Too many people in this country don't do anything with their time, then they wonder why they are depressed...?

terry_p

I have a personal rule nothing goes back in the safe dirty. That was drilled into me long before military service by my father. The military reinforced what I already knew.

Ruger9

I recently purchased a used Ruger p95pr stainless. I took it apart at the gun shop to get a good look at the guts. It appeared to me that the previous owner put a boatload of ammo through it and was not very good about cleaning it. There was really no obvious wear but it was black on the inside! The spare mag that came with the gun did not appear to be used at all. Anyway, I got the gun with original box, papers, etc. for $270.00 and spent about an hour and 1/2 cleaning it. It sounds bizzare but I totally enjoyed seeing that gun go from what it was to looking brand new! VERY REWARDING.

3321sawyer

I clean all my guns after I shoot them and very much enjoy doing it. This way, I know for sure my guns will function properly in an emergency.

Minister

To me.. Shooting with a Purpose is a Blast. <Rant On>(I laugh at pax that go to the range and just pull the trigger as fast as they can to show off).<Rant Off>

Cleaning is part of the fun.

Its relaxing, makes me reflect on how well I shot or how I messed up.

I shoot IDPA, 3-Gun, Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays, Carbine Comp, etc... you name it .. I shoot it.

Besides being in the Army... ('We Clean Guns' is a good Motto) ...

I clean them to ensure the work properly the next time I squeeze the Trigger to ensure it goes BANG. AND... AND.. I can't make my point more important..... AND!!!! To ensure that nothing is cracked, damaged, or just plain broke! You have to clean your weapons to ensure they are 100% in working order! I paid good money for my Guns. I want to make sure my investment is well kept. Everyone should change their oil in their vehicles every 3-4000 miles right? Why take chances on things that they carry and could save their lives?

Cleaning a firearm is part of owning one. Those that dont clean them don't deserve them. (My opinion only)

Minister

curt mini14

uncle sam taught me a clean gun is a happy gun and i do enjoy keeping my guns happy.and this eezox sure does a good job it replaced hoppes on my bench.

goodnews729

I think there must be something thereputic about the cleaning process. Or maybe it's just the smell of the Hoppes!

madtown

That made me laugh. I have a friend that's just starting into guns & shooting and his version of "cleaning" gets me all worked up. He wipes down the outside and maybe runs a swab through the bore. (if he even bothers to learn how to disassemble them) Then brags about how "spotless" he keeps his weapons! I keep mentioning that I will "help" (meaning taking them apart and really cleaning them) him but he insists they are good to go. Drives me crazy cause he has some very nice, and expensive, handguns. (sigs, browning high power, colt, rugers, S&W)
It just kills me some times.

Shiloh13

I built a new reloading/cleaning/workbench late last year and it sits in my bedroom. I live in a small house and no room anywhere else. I love coming home after shooting, grab a cold drink, and sit at the bench and clean my guns. Very relaxing. Gives me some quiet me time.

I do have two older boys now and I may have to defer the cleaning tasks to them once in a while. A nice bit of father-son time I think.

RMWHEELER

I learned the routine as a kid from my dad, after a hunt, usually a cold winter day. We would come home and mom woulld usually be cooking a meal for us. The smells of the house, the time with dad cleaning our guns and discussing the day's hunt are very fond memories.

marlinspike

I clean after every use, but I sure wish I didn't have to. Right now I'm debating testing out my trap gun (Rem 870 Classic Trap) by just not cleaning it until it has a failure and seeing how long it takes. I'm thinking that as a pump I can probably go a good long while.

markasaurus

It baffles me why someone would learn how to shoot but have no interest in cleaning them afterwards. I don't think it's a character flaw or anything, because it is their gun and their money, but i learned how to clean guns long before i knew how to shoot and i usually like doing it.

If you just hate cleaning guns there's nothing wrong with that except you risk winding up with a worthless fouled and rusted gun. But even if you hate cleaning, there's fast ways to do it that will minimize the tedium.

Here's the fastest way i know. Field strip the piece (everyone who shoots any gun ought to know how to field strip it i believe). Use one toothbrush and a can of brake cleaner. Hose the parts off with brake cleaner, one assembly at a time, and scrub while still wet. Hose part off again, go over the nooks and vallys with q-tips then switch to rags. (Even if you don't make it spotless its better then ignoring the gun). Scrub the barrel with patches and bore cleaner and also run a barrel brush though at least 3 times. Run more patches through til they come out clean (or close to it!)

The brake cleaner will be mostly evaporated by the time you do all this so put a drop or two of lubricant (break free clp may be best for the gun-cleaning averse) on every part that pivots or slides and let it soak in for a few minutes, then reassemble. Also run a Break free soaked patch down the bore. Wipe off excess CLP - all done.

If you have more money then time, (brake cleaner = $1.50 for 16 oz, Break free = $14 for 12 oz.) to save a lot of time, just replace the brake cleaner with break free CLP (cleaner-lubricant-protectant right?). Then you can cut the cleaning time in half because you don't have to worry about getting all your cleaner product out of the gun.

If you hate cleaning the gun, you probably shouldnt just dump it into a container of solvent and pull it out later, unless you also have a source of compressed air and want to strip it even further. If you dunk it in solvent, you won't get all the solvent out just from wiping it off. solvent will be trapped inside the gun where you can't reach it or see it. And it will mix with your lubricant plus some dirt and contaminate that. So if you hate cleaning guns, it may be better not to soak it in a solvent container unless it is break free.

You can do all this in 10 or 20 minutes or less, even if you really hate doing it. And even if you only make a half-assed job of it, it is still better then neglecting your gun until it fouls up or rusts and it is too late to save it.

Centerfire

I have to agree that there is a "zen-like" feeling that comes over me when cleaning my guns. Someone once explained to me that is was like practicing for a football game with your team mates. In this situation your team mate is your firearm and the game you are preparing for is that situation we always pray that never happens.

You are becomig close with the gun, learning it inside and out. I'm sure all you military guys out there agree. The closer you are wilth your weapon the better it performs.

There is no real excuse for not cleaning your gun. Its cheap insurance for our expensive firearms!

ljutic

Years ago I had plenty of time and not much extra money so I couldn't shoot as much as I would have liked to. Cleaning wasn't a bother at all because it was still spending quality time with a firearm.

Turn the clock ahead to now and I think I would pay a gun butler to clean everything up after a day at the range. I still enjoy the manual work part of cleaning, but struggle to find the time.

Centerfire

Have any of you guys experimented with Ultrasonic cleaners?? They work really well. We have been doing a ton of testing with Crest Ultrasonics using WeaponCLP. It allows us to simply field strip the firearm, drop it in the cleaner, and come back to it about 10 minutes later.

Once cleaned, we are just wiping the residual CLP off the firearms and reassemble. The remaining CLP lubricates and protects the firearm until the next cleaning.

KKBMTGG/go army

Boy howdy,if any of you gun scrubbin guru's pass through Dallas give me a ring, I can give you all the "zen" you want.

Chief_10Beers

heh, that is why I shoot no more that two Firearms at a time. I'm really anal when it comes to cleaning my Guns. I can easily spend 3 hours on just one gun. My Mini14, at least 4 hours.................................... ........

bingd

Detailed stripping/cleaning and subsequent assembly of my guns is I believed the substance of my gun hobby - shooting it - for further enjoyment - and to make it dirty once again for next cleaning - and I'm very happy doing it

Broomhead

I'm with the rest of y'all, I love to clean and tinker with my guns. Seeing how they work and cleaning them out is very enjoyable to me.

Hopefully that means I will like reloading. I am getting close to starting it.

BronxBoy

Just send them to San Diego! I’ll clean them for you and then test fire them , and then test fire them, and then test fire them, and then clean them and send them back sometime. I will even clean them between the test sessions!

No charge! Just include 500 rounds of the appropriate ammo with each firearm. Understand one thing, I wouldn’t do this for just anybody!