Basic Gun Cleaning Information
When to Clean Your Gun
It is highly recommended that you clean your firearm every time you use it, cleaning can vary from a basic wipe down with an oily rag to a detailed disassembly and full clean. When using Black Powder or corrosive ammo special cleaning must take place, see below. You should clean your firearm thoroughly before long term storage, after hunting and after heavy use.
General Purpose Powder Solvents, Bore Cleaner and Lubricant
These work well for the vast majority of cleaning but they are a compromise.
Powder Solvent
Standard powder solvents like Hoppes #9 are the best for cleaning powder residue from actions and the gas systems in gas operated semi-auto firearms. Also excellent for .22 LR rifles that do “gum up” over time, also works for general bore cleaning.
Copper Solvent
Center fire rifles normally fire copper jacketed bullets, over time copper can build up in the bore, this will require special cleaning using a copper bore solvent, and these are normally ammonia based. The latest are foaming bore cleaners, just follow the instructions, we have found they work very well. Cleaning copper residue from bores is important in center fire target rifles and magnum rifles.
Black Powder
This is highly corrosive so a thorough cleaning immediately after use is essential. Hot water and soap works well, special black powder solvents are available and should be used. Check that the nipple is clean. Be sure to lubricate well after use to prevent rust.
Corrosive Ammo
If reasonable attention is paid to cleaning after using corrosive ammo there is no long term harmful affects. If the firearm is left un-cleaned then corrosion will start at once, when a bore is corroded it cannot be brought back although if the rifling is sharp, accuracy should still be good. Do not forget to clean the bolt head and gas system if fitted. Chrome lining of bores and gas systems will greatly help resist corrosive ammo but cleaning is still essential.
Lubrication
Use a good gun oil, over lubricate moving parts rather than under lube. WD40 is not a lubricant but it will suffice in extreme cold conditions. Powdered graphite is the best for arctic conditions.
Tools Required
- Cleaning Rod
- Patches, Bore Brushes
- Nylon Brushes (Toothbrush)
- Good Quality Solvent
- Good Quality Oil
- Pipe cleaners
- Q-tips
- Dental Hook (For solidified carbon deposits, use carefully so not to scratch the firearm)
- Rags, non-linting types
General Rules
1. Always check to ensure your firearm is unloaded.
2. Always try to clean your barrel from breech to muzzle if possible. If you must clean from muzzle to breech be extra careful that the rod does not touch the barrel at the muzzle end. This can cause damage to the crown therefore degrading accuracy.
3. Use a bore guide.
Tips
1. After shooting spray your gun internally with WD40 so residues do not harden.
2. Field strip your gun to manufacturer’s recommendations. If you do not have this information it can be found online. Do not strip your firearm beyond recommended field strip stage.
3. When field stripping a firearm for cleaning no force should be required
4. Do not force a tight patch into a bore
5. It is also useful to have pressure rise cleaner/aerosol. This is good for blowing out trigger mechanisms and other hard to reach areas. Make sure to generously re-lubricate parts after cleaning solution evaporates.
6. Do not mix solvents.
7. More barrels are worn out through over cleaning or poor cleaning procedures.
8. Always run a dry patch down your bore before use to remove excess oil otherwise damage may result.
Please note that the information given above is for your general guidance and should be practiced with common sense, no warranty is offered or implied.