How should I clean this?

[CharAznable]

I picked up my P2000 today (yay me) and as this is my first handgun I (like a n00b) said I needed some cleaning supplies. I don't feel like I got oversold stuff but I'm not 100% sure on how to use what I bought, so I'm hoping to get schooled.

I got this Outers Pistol Cleaning Kit, a can of Gun Scrubber, and a small bottle of Break Free CLP. I've also got a bunch of Q-tips and a toothbrush.

They went over what they thought I should do pretty fast, so I wanted to see if someone can fill in the blanks:

1) Field strip (just to show I know that much...)
2) Spray with Gun Scrubber. What, exactly, am I supposed to spray? Just the barrel? The slide? Everything?
3) Use the brass brush on the barrel
4) Run a patch through the barrel after I put some solvent on it. (They said to use the solvent from the kit - would using CLP be better?) Then run a dry patch through. (Do I need to do anything to the inside of the barrel after that?)
5) Use a Q-tip to put some CLP on the outside of the barrel
6) Use a Q-tip to put some CLP on the rail guides

Should I be using CLP to lube anything else? Or given the supplies that I have on-hand should I be doing it differently?

Man, I feel like such a n00b...

[hybridatsun350]

Here's how I clean handguns...

1.) Field strip.
2.) Clean barrel using Hoppes #9 (run brass brush through repeatedly, run wet patch through, brass brush again, wet patch, dry patch), and run a CLP patch through. Wipe outside of barrel with CLP patch (same one I used in the barrel).
3.) Wipe down the inside of the frame and clean slide rails of any old dirt/grease.
4.) Re-lube rails and other important lubrication points with grease. I use Wilson Combat's grease, but any good handgun grease will work just fine.
5.) Reassemble

Very quick, and simple.

[CHS]

Don't use CLP as a lube. Use grease for the sliding parts (rails, etc).

[mtenenhaus]

Take extra care to absolutely and positively make sure the pistol is unloaded and there is no ammo anywhere nearby.

i don't generally use gunscrubber (i've heard its a great product),....please check that its safe for the polymer.

I like to use a tooth brush that i dip in a little Hoppes or CLP and brush the rails, the frame, all the little metal parts, basically anyplace that's dirty. I then use some bounty towels and q tips to dry everything off and get into all the nooks and crannies.

For the barrel, i use a copper brush down the breach side, letting it spin with the rifling as you pass it all the way through (not stopping within the barrel). I do this several times and then I spray some clp or run a mop moistened in clp or hoppes down the barrel several times. I then dry out the barrel with a few patches.

When the pistol is nice and clean I then apply grease to the rails (slide glide is my current preference)...and the same for any parts that slide against each other. For other moving parts i use a few drops of oil (I still like FP-10 or Weapon Shield for this). I will often put a few drops on the recoil spring and a very light touch of grease on the outside of the barrel.

I put the gun together and check to make sure the safety works and the pistol action works fine.

If i'm putting the gun away for a while I lightly coat the whole gun with a grease or a gun oil.

I also tend to brush or wipe down my magazines as well if they're dirty. I'm told you shouldn't oil the inside where the cartridges are held.

[Corbin Dallas]

Don't use CLP as a lube. Use grease for the sliding parts (rails, etc).

Why not? I use CLP only for my AR and never have had a problem. CLP has been used for years by our boys in service without a hitch.

Why is "grease" better than "oil"

I don't use "grease" in my glocks, steyr, mossberg, benelli, mosin or 1911's...

Anyone else here use "grease" for their guns in place of oil?

[evolixsurf]

yea, should I use grease in my m&P .40 or the hoppes lube ive been using(and has run flawless so far).

[lazs]

I field strip the gun and spray it down with CLP. then wipe off the excess with a rag that has been used for wiping off excess CLP all the time. It leaves a nice film on all the parts.

I use grease on my M1 Garand and mini 14 and some of my semi auto handguns when I feel like it. They all work better when I do.

[nn3453]

Why not? I use CLP only for my AR and never have had a problem. CLP has been used for years by our boys in service without a hitch.

Why is "grease" better than "oil"

I don't use "grease" in my glocks, steyr, mossberg, benelli, mosin or 1911's...

Anyone else here use "grease" for their guns in place of oil?

This is a can of worms.

A lot of people prefer grease because it doesn't run and stays on longer. A keep a can of CLP in my range bag for when my guns run dry.

Brian Enos and other experts recommend that you not use grease on a carry gun. Heavier greases may increase the coefficient of friction between sliding surfaces and while it may be great for inhibiting metal to metal contact, reliability might suffer since the slide movement is slightly slower.

[hybridatsun350]

Why not? I use CLP only for my AR and never have had a problem. CLP has been used for years by our boys in service without a hitch.

We're talking handguns here. Most handguns run better when grease is used. I'm sure you know not to use grease in an AR.

[Juice5610]

Why not? I use CLP only for my AR and never have had a problem. CLP has been used for years by our boys in service without a hitch.

Why is "grease" better than "oil"

I don't use "grease" in my glocks, steyr, mossberg, benelli, mosin or 1911's...

Anyone else here use "grease" for their guns in place of oil?

I use wilson combat's ultima lube (I think thats what its called) and it is awesome! I clean with clp then lube up with wilson combat the action on my weapons are smooth as butter! Always just used clp before and the differences in the action is like night and day waaaaay smoother. I love the stuff!

[CharAznable]

Let me try this part again:

Or given the supplies that I have on-hand should I be doing it differently?

As much as I appreciate the suggestions on even more stuff to go purchase, I would like to go shooting for the first time and I'm asking for the best way to use the things I have already bought for at least this first cleaning. That should be possible, correct?

[-hanko]

As much as I appreciate the suggestions on even more stuff to go purchase, I would like to go shooting for the first time and I'm asking for the best way to use the things I have already bought for at least this first cleaning. That should be possible, correct?

Don't over analyze.

All you should need to do with a new gun is to run a few dry patches through the barrel to remove residual factory oil, solvent, or dirt.

For cleaning after firing...check your owners manual on pp. 32-33. If you can't find the manual, it's here...http://www.hk-usa.com/-images/shared...s%20Manual.pdf

Gun Scrubber = Carburetor Cleaner. Keep it well away from any plastic parts.

hth

-hanko

[CharAznable]

Don't over analyze.

It's what I do.

Gun Scrubber = Carburetor Cleaner. Keep it well away from any plastic parts.

It says it's "synthetic safe". Is that not to be believed?

[delisle]

Better safe than sorry with the gun Scrubber.

I actually use moly grease on my slides for all of my pistols and my Mini-14. Just a dot on each side of the slide does the trick for me..

I am the same in over analyzing things, just work with what you have got. dont be afraid to look into alternate methods to clean i.e. an EBC, automotive oils and solvents. Those are cheap and readily available. They are quite often used by alot of old timers

[Ultimate]

Why not? I use CLP only for my AR and never have had a problem. CLP has been used for years by our boys in service without a hitch.

Why is "grease" better than "oil"

I don't use "grease" in my glocks, steyr, mossberg, benelli, mosin or 1911's...

Anyone else here use "grease" for their guns in place of oil?

I use both when I am lazy. Only synthetic grease when im not. Grease creates a long lasting film on the parts. Which is really good as it is not as easily displaced as oil.

But the main problem with oil is usually it is petroleum based and it gums up parts of your gun a little. Does it hurt anything? No probably not but it just means more cleaning. Even if the gun just sits. Where as grease unless the gun sits for a ridiculous amount of time u can pretty much just go out and shoot it without worrying if the lubricant broke down.

I know when i completely took my glock apart i had a little gumming on the connector bar where the trigger bar rubs on it.