Cleaning question

[db.40]

If I'm going to the range 2-3 times a month should I clean my gun after each use? I figure between 200-400 rounds a month. I always clean it after each use but I'm wondering if that's too much.

[Suvorov]

I sure as hell don't. I usually clean them when they get my pants and hip all dirty in sludge or my shooting glasses get sprayed. Except for my duty weapon, I clean that one religiously twice a year just prior to inspection and qualification.

Seriously, as long as you keep it in a dry environment and shoot non corrosive ammo, there is no need to clean after each use. Just a simple wipe down and lube job and you are good to go with any modern handgun.* More weapons have been ruined from over zealous cleaning than by not enough cleaning.

*The exception I would make here is with guns that have a pretty blued finish, or guns that I will not be shooting for months.

[vonderplatz]

Really its not necessary to clean it every time you shoot, but I always do primarily because I can't stand to put away a dirty firearm. In other words what Suvorov said.

[Lumpia is sarap!®]

Clean your guns when you know you're not heading out to the range for a while.

[jdg30]

I usually clean most of my guns every time I shoot them. It doesn't take very long if you do it regularly. I don't like the idea of putting a gun away dirty. I haven't had any problems from having a dirty gun; they will still function fine dirty. It's more a matter of personal preference. I like my guns so I take care of them the best I can. It's kind of like personal hygiene, some people put more importance on it than others.

[esartori]

I usually clean most of my guns every time I shoot them. It doesn't take very long if you do it regularly. I don't like the idea of putting a gun away dirty. I haven't had any problems from having a dirty gun; they will still function fine dirty. It's more a matter of personal preference. I like my guns so I take care of them the best I can. It's kind of like personal hygiene, some people put more importance on it than others.

I agree with this. I always clean my guns after each use. But I also do not shoot more than once a week or so. If I shot multiple times a week, I wouldn't. But I am also kind of OCD when it comes to my guns.

[Synergy]

All the guns in my safe are dirty. The have been to the range a few times and still are dirty.

Funny thing is they all go bang!

[Briancnelson]

I field strip and clean my nightstand gun every time I take it out, I see no reason to have the one time I need it be the time it's too dirty to work. The others I give a boresnake and an external wipe with a clean rag after each range trip, and a field strip and clean every 1000 rounds.

I've not felt the need to detail strip any of my guns yet, and a couple of them are at 10k plus rounds.

[billybob_jcv]

Cleaning them gives me another chance to fondle them...

[Ubermcoupe]

but I'm wondering if that's too much.

No such thing. Only if you are cleaning incorrectly, or with too strong a solvent. Some guys like em clean and pristine, others like em dirty.
I find that fondling cleaning my gun(s) is a great way for me to get my fix without taking time out to the range

[Rugerdaddy]

It is definitely not necessary to clean your guns after every trip to the range, but it would be a good idea if you came to my house and cleaned MY guns every 2-3 months.

I'll give you a beer.

[sundayduffer]

Clean my gun more often than i clean myself....

[email]

Just spray them with a little fabreze. No need to actilually clean.them.

[sk8804]

i clean whether its 1 round down the pipe, or 1000 rounds. I cannot stand to have a tool that your life may one day depend on, sit there dirty. Plus they look so nice all polished up.

[Distro]

No such thing. Only if you are cleaning incorrectly, or with too strong a solvent. Some guys like em clean and pristine, others like em dirty.
I find that fondling cleaning my gun(s) is a great way for me to get my fix without taking time out to the range

This is a huge factor for me, I find cleaning them as a great way to wind down from a day at the range. Watch TV and sit there cleaning.