13 GUN CLEANING TIPS

Hunting season is here but even when it’s not it is always 2^nd Amendment season. It is important to keep your hunting firearms in good working condition so you can take and make the shots that present themselves. It is also important for those who exercise their 2A rights to keep their defensive and recreational firearms in working conditions. A clean gun is much more likely to function properly when you need it and to operate safely. Here are a few quick tips on keeping your guns clean and in working condition.

1.       Never go back and forth reversing the brush

This will ruin the brush by bending and eventually breaking the bristles

2.       Never run a brush in the barrel first

The brush will pick up debris and moisture and deposit them in the barrel

3.       Use a clean patch surface each time down the barrel

Using a clean patch prevents you from replacing the debris you have just cleaned out

4.       Center the tip and rod – don’t let either rub the bore
5.       Clean from breech to muzzle in the direction of the bullet

Go with the natural direction of the bullet and you will get more debris and you will protect your barrel from damage

Now let’s go over a few of the basic steps in cleaning your guns:

1.       Ensure you have the right equipment which will include:

•          Cleaning solvent
•          Lubricant, or gun oil
•          A bore brush
•          A patch holder and patches
•          Cleaning rod
•          A nylon cleaning brush
•          Flashlight
•          Cotton swabs
•          Microfiber cloths for polishing

2.       Unload your gun

ALWAYS unload your gun before cleaning. Do a sight check down the barrel after opening the chamber to ensure that there is no round in the barrel or chamber.

3.       Disassemble your gun.

Be sure to follow your manufacturer’s directions in how far down to strip your gun.

•          Semi-automatic pistols and rifles will generally be stripped into their major components: barrel, slide, guide rod, frame and magazine. Revolvers, shotguns, and most other sorts of guns will not need to be stripped to clean them.
•          Field stripping is not necessary to clean the gun thoroughly. Don't take apart your gun more than you have to unless it requires repair. Likewise, some guns can't be stripped at all and it won't be necessary to do anything but open the chamber to clean it.

Clean in a well ventilated area

Solvents and lubricants can stink up a stuffy area. Also, cover work space with plastic bags, newspaper, old towels, or something else to keep the area clean and odor free.

4.       Clean barrel with cleaning rod and patches

Soak the bore, or inside of the barrel, using a cleaning rod, patch holder and the right size cotton patches for your gun. Work from the back of the bore if you can. If not, use a muzzle guard. The muzzle guard keeps the cleaning rod from banging against the muzzle, which can cause your gun to malfunction.

5.       Alternate bore brush and patches

When you are done run one more dry patch through to pick up anything you may have missed

6.       Lubricate the barrel

Attach cotton mop to cleaning rod and apply a few drops of lubricant and run it through the barrel to leave a light coat

7.       Clean and lubricate the action and all moving parts

Wipe dry with a dry clean cloth. Only small amounts of lubricant are necessary as too much will attract debris

8.       Wipe down the rest of the gun with a luster cloth

Or wipe with a lightly lubricated cloth (a cloth you can throw away after)

Two additional tips:

Clean your gun after each use

Store your gun unloaded in a cool and dry place

Have other great gun cleaning tips? Leave them in the comments below!