Questions from a Neophyte

[Sig Fan 358]

Newbie needs some direction, please.

I have handguns that sit in my safe for months on end. Should I be taking them out and cleaning each one on a regular basis? If so, how often? Thank you in advance for your help!

06/08/2023

Thank you all so much for the advise! This really helps!

[static2126]

For what it is worth my training p365xl macro is on approx 10k rounds now. Has not been cleaned in 4k rounds

My previous training g19 hadn't been cleaned in last 9k rounds

[IVC]

Depends where you are - you don't need to clean them at all, but you do need to make sure they don't rust, especially where you can't see it easily such as the inside of the barrel.

If you're in the dry area, you're good to go. If you're close to the ocean, make sure you coat them correctly if you're not going to use them much.

[Barang]

i rotate my handguns so it will take 10 years+ to get them clean/lube again.

['ol shooter]

No, you don't need to clean them but a good wipe down after fondling is a good thing. Don't forget to lube them before a shoot.

[Dirtlaw]

Depends a lot on your personality. If you are an A type clean freak, your weapons are religiously cleaned to perfection. If you are the other type, you let them go until they misfire or fail to fire.

[Bullwinkle]

Murphy's Law doesn't care how many rounds you previously fired successfully without cleaning. Not cleaning your gun because you're lazy or somehow think it's macho or a badge of honor to say "I haven't cleaned my gun in xxx rounds" is idiotic. Adopt the mindset of a Samurai... respect your weapon and keep it clean. You should clean it anytime you fire it.

That said, if you know your guns are going to be sitting in the safe for an extended period of time, then the last thing you should do in your cleaning regimen is wipe everything down with a Bullfrog Rusthunter Gun Wipe (including the bore, nooks & crannies, etc). Bullfrog claims it fights corrosion for a year. [I live in San Diego and, knock on wood, no problem thus far.] If not Rusthunter, I'm sure any decent corrosion inhibitor will work, be it a wipe or an aerosol can. NOT WD-40! [Unless it's the "Specialist" corrosion inhibitor they offer]

In addition to rust, another problem I've had in the past is oil gunking up. Hence, if I use a corrosion inhibitor, I usually don't bother to lube anything that'll sit in the safe for an extended period. Save the lube for when you're ready to use the gun again; i.e. run a quick boresnake through the bore (you want the bore & chamber dry) and then a light coat of oil where you normally would.

You also might try putting one of those rechargeable desiccants/dehumidifiers in the safe, similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CBL3PR. The problem with those is you have to keep on top of them. Mine seems to be bright pink every time I open the safe; but on the bright side, I guess that means it's working.

[Garv]

You do not want moisture condensing on the guns.

Goldenrod heat bar plus rechargeable desiccant(s) based on safe size.

Roughly once a year I give them all a "spring cleaning" and coat with a protectant.

When returning guns that have not been cleaned to the safe, I automatically wipe down the outside of the gun with a silicone coated rag to remove finger oils and salts and provide some protection.

[naz]

If you know you aren?t going to use it for a while, clean and oil, and wrap in vci paper.

Definitely agree with the others on the dehumidifier for the safe

[static2126]

Murphy's Law doesn't care how many rounds you previously fired successfully without cleaning. Not cleaning your gun because you're lazy or somehow think it's macho or a badge of honor to say "I haven't cleaned my gun in xxx rounds" is idiotic. Adopt the mindset of a Samurai... respect your weapon and keep it clean. You should clean it anytime you fire it.

That said, if you know your guns are going to be sitting in the safe for an extended period of time, then the last thing you should do in your cleaning regimen is wipe everything down with a Bullfrog Rusthunter Gun Wipe (including the bore, nooks & crannies, etc). Bullfrog claims it fights corrosion for a year. [I live in San Diego and, knock on wood, no problem thus far.] If not Rusthunter, I'm sure any decent corrosion inhibitor will work, be it a wipe or an aerosol can. NOT WD-40! [Unless it's the "Specialist" corrosion inhibitor they offer]

In addition to rust, another problem I've had in the past is oil gunking up. Hence, if I use a corrosion inhibitor, I usually don't bother to lube anything that'll sit in the safe for an extended period. Save the lube for when you're ready to use the gun again; i.e. run a quick boresnake through the bore (you want the bore & chamber dry) and then a light coat of oil where you normally would.

You also might try putting one of those rechargeable desiccants/dehumidifiers in the safe, similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CBL3PR. The problem with those is you have to keep on top of them. Mine seems to be bright pink every time I open the safe; but on the bright side, I guess that means it's working.

Eh carry guns and social use guns should be clean. Training guns should be maintained (springs and such(, but I really cannot care less about cleaning those. Run thing till they stop or break and diagnose

[SDDAVE56]

I clean mine right after shooting. Especially if they're not going to be shot in a while. Carry guns I wipe down before being put back in the safe. I inspect all mine annually.

[Jeepergeo]

Murphy's Law doesn't care how many rounds you previously fired successfully without cleaning. Not cleaning your gun because you're lazy or somehow think it's macho or a badge of honor to say "I haven't cleaned my gun in xxx rounds" is idiotic. Adopt the mindset of a Samurai... respect your weapon and keep it clean. You should clean it anytime you fire it.

That said, if you know your guns are going to be sitting in the safe for an extended period of time, then the last thing you should do in your cleaning regimen is wipe everything down with a Bullfrog Rusthunter Gun Wipe (including the bore, nooks & crannies, etc). Bullfrog claims it fights corrosion for a year. [I live in San Diego and, knock on wood, no problem thus far.] If not Rusthunter, I'm sure any decent corrosion inhibitor will work, be it a wipe or an aerosol can. NOT WD-40! [Unless it's the "Specialist" corrosion inhibitor they offer]

In addition to rust, another problem I've had in the past is oil gunking up. Hence, if I use a corrosion inhibitor, I usually don't bother to lube anything that'll sit in the safe for an extended period. Save the lube for when you're ready to use the gun again; i.e. run a quick boresnake through the bore (you want the bore & chamber dry) and then a light coat of oil where you normally would.

You also might try putting one of those rechargeable desiccants/dehumidifiers in the safe, similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CBL3PR. The problem with those is you have to keep on top of them. Mine seems to be bright pink every time I open the safe; but on the bright side, I guess that means it's working.

Evolution wise, the Samurai did not do so well. So maybe they were mostly wrong.

[Bullwinkle]

Evolution wise, the Samurai did not do so well. So maybe they were mostly wrong.

We're all going to die, but our weapons can be preserved for several generations to come.

[Usmc0844spare]

Not cleaning your gun because you're lazy or somehow think it's macho or a badge of honor to say "I haven't cleaned my gun in xxx rounds" is idiotic.

Yeah it's weird this is the exact tone a lot of those comments have. Like there is some "who's got the dirtiest gun" competition going on.

I always clean at least the bore because in my imagination, little rusty cavity creeps are getting under the gunk and starting to destroy my investment. Really science-y, I know.

That being said, I fully accept that 9 times out of 10 you probably can get away with not cleaning... ever... or until the gun starts to malfunction.

But I like cleaning my guns, so, there's that.

[Tere_Hanges]

I do a very basic cleaning every time after I shoot it. CLP, brush, patch. Thats it, it's really simple and fast. Keeps them looking almost new. If you shoot lots of rounds in between cleaning, then obviously it will require deeper cleaning. I HATE deep cleaning. So I just do fast basic cleaning every time after shooting.

Its also just a good idea safetywise to field strip and inspect after shooting to note any abnormal wear or concerns.