Cleaning after every range trip?

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I used to clean thoroughly after any shooting session too. However, these days I just give them a quick cleaning, lube and function check. I reserve the heavy cleaning to after about 6-800 rounds.

If it gives you more confidence to give your guns a thorough cleaning after just a few rounds, then go for it. Just don't overly scrub the barrel, it really isn't necessary with most modern pistols until a high round count. YMMV

[fennecfrank]

clean the guns before and after each range trip.

not everyone clean it before the range. but it's much better this way. you want to make sure the gun is in working condition. You don't want anything stuck inside the barrel and you want to make sure the action is smooth and complete without problem.

also, if you leave the guns in the safe for a while. clean them once in a while.

[scootle]

my problem is that once i clean my gun(s), i have this uncontrollable urge to "test fire" it again right away at the range...

i mean you gotta be sure it's gonna go bang again, amirite?

[a1c]

Sometimes I clean it after just shooting 1 or 2 mags. It's a nice and relaxing thing to do for me while watching TV or listening to music.

[paul0660]

don't overly scrub the barrel

For sure. Loosewreck was talking about pistols, but the same goes for rifles. You can scrub a barrel to death trying to get that last bit of dirt out of it. Those bronze brushes are, theoretically, softer than the steel in a barrel. For some reason, they still scratch, when worked to death.

[luckystrike]

I will take it apart and clean it even if I put only one mag or even one round through the gun....

sound advice

even if I dont shoot it for a month ill still run some oil thru the works and barrel

[elSquid]

I like to clean every couple of thousand rounds, regardless of whether the gun needs it or not.

-- Michael

[MAC USMC]

This is a never ending debate and both sides have merit. I have a friend who practically wears out his firearms, not from actual use, but from continuous cleaning, disassembly, working the action, reassembly, etc. In his case the job is way over done out of boredom.

I'm an old man now, but I do take care of my firearms. If I intend to go shooting again in a short time I merely run a patch or two through my guns and do quick carbon wipe-off on the inside, then re-lube. This avoids malfunctions and irritation. If I have no plans to shoot my guns soon, I take them down and do a thorought cleaning job.

I think in the long run that it is wise to clean after using your firearms because doing so:

1) Keeps one very familiar with each firearm.
2) Helps discover gun function issues like weak mag springs, cracks, loose or missing screws, etc.
3) Serves as a reminder as to LOADED OR UNLOADED status of each weapon you handle.
4) It's way too easy to forget to clean your guns if you delay - - - especially when you are old enough to recall black and white TV and AM only radios.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

especially when you are old enough to recall black and white TV and AM only radios.

Flat screens came in black and white?

[ROTC sniper]

I'm lucky just to have the time to get out and shoot...between the kids, the wife, the on the call 24/7 job and everything else....I'd rather spend more time shooting when I have the time rather than cleaning....I mean...I shoot a glock, you only have to clean every 10,000 rounds or so right?

[shooting4life]

I most of my guns only once and that is when I buy them. They get cleaned and lubbed. Then they get shot and wiped down. Most won't be cleaned again for a long time as they might only be shot 250 rounds or less over 5 years. Some have not even been shot. The only thing that gets cleaned more are the 22's. I'll rather shoot and reload than clean.
Also, more guns are ruined from improper cleaning techniques than shooting and this is especially true for precision rifles. Look at the range rental pistols. They hardly ever get cleaned and get shot like crazy and they work forever with thousands of rounds fired compared to our handguns.

[wu_dot_com]

I most of my guns only once and that is when I buy them. They get cleaned and lubbed. Then they get shot and wiped down. Most won't be cleaned again for a long time as they might only be shot 250 rounds or less over 5 years. Some have not even been shot. The only thing that gets cleaned more are the 22's. I'll rather shoot and reload than clean.
Also, more guns are ruined from improper cleaning techniques than shooting and this is especially true for precision rifles. Look at the range rental pistols. They hardly ever get cleaned and get shot like crazy and they work forever with thousands of rounds fired compared to our handguns.

i second that, the barrel will get micro pitting from excessive cleaning specially if its not chrome line barrels like the Beretta. a lot of people actually fuks up their crowns too by sticking the cleaning rod down the barrel.

i dont clean mine until the black stuff covers the breach face. i just oil the rails and rock n roll. i guess its about every 4-5k or 3-4 weeks before i really start considering cleaning it.

[locosway]

Wow!

I can't believe how many people waste so much time on cleaning.

So, does everyone also change their car oil after every trip, even if they just start it up in the morning to make sure it still works?

Cleaning your firearms should be like changing the oil in your car. Do it on a calendar basis or after so many rounds. Over cleaning is just putting wear on your parts, and wasting your time and money. I'll put hundreds of rounds through my Glocks or AR and not notice any buildup when I go to clean them.

[joefrank64k]

When you ask 10 gun people how often to clean a gun, you'll get 12 different answers!

Modern handguns, shooting modern ammo, need very little in the way of maintenance. Your manual will detail what they recommend...as an example, FN recommends cleaning the Five-Seven every 500 rounds.

I lubricate (lightly) before, during, and after range sessions, but cleaning? No.

My only exception to not regularly cleaning guns is for designated HD and CCW weapons.

My 2 cents...or cent and half in this economy.

[MRpink]

I'll clean every 3-4 range trips depending how much I put through the barrel.