Gun Cleaning

[John Barleycorn]

I try to clean my guns before each shoot, is this too much?  I guess its habit from the Army, we cleaned our weapons weather they needed it or not. I shoot about 3 times a month and well, I'd like an excuse to cut back, let me know what you think.   P.S.  I'm shooting smokeless.  JB

[Arcey]

Was doin' smokeless myself a few years ago.  Two er three shoots a month. Used ta clean 'em the 4th of July 'n New Year's Day.........

Seriously, about once a month.  Exterior surfaces wiped down with Ballistol after every shoot.

[Major E A Sterner]

I clean mine every 2nd shoot, I usually shoot twice a month so I guess it would be once a month. at the end of the season they get detail stripped for a complete cleaning.

[Doc Shapiro]

Periodically.  I don't get leading and no blowback.  So the insides stay nice and clean.  Periodically they get a little gummy feeling, and so I clean them then.  I don't really have a hard and fast rule about it.  Incidentally, I get tighter groups when they're a little dirty.

[Major E A Sterner]

Howdy Doc, that's because when you clean them it puts the misses back in...

[will52100]

It depends, I normaly shoot black powder, and unless I shot in the rain I'll go several days without any cleaning.  Most of the time I won't do a full break down, just barrel and cylinder, dunk the action in moose milk and wipe everything down.  Same goes for the rifle in 45 colt, not enough blow by to worry about.  No rust yet.

[Cyrille]

Usually a day or so after. Seldom a week goes by before cleaning. With the Holy Black it's the same or next day at the latest. However like the good doctor, my groups tighten up after two or three 'fouling shots.'

[Lazarus Longshot]

After each shoot. It also gives me the opportunity to check the guns for loose screws, worn parts, etc.

[dbrown3]

? for Arcey
How do you apply your Ballistol?
Moose milk?  Aerosol?  or oil on a rag?
Great stuff but I find it difficult to apply

[Arcey]

? for Arcey
How do you apply your Ballistol?
Moose milk?  Aerosol?  or oil on a rag?
Great stuff but I find it difficult to apply

Aerosol in that application.

Spray them then spread it all over with t-shirt material. Put them in their sleeves and take them home. At home get them out of the sleeves and store them.

Back in the sleeves for transport to the next shoot. Remove the sleeves and wipe off the Ballistol in the parking lot. Put them in the guncart and go shooting.

Repeat.

[Wild Ben Raymond]

I shoot smoke-less so I can't really answer this question as it all depends on the situations. If anything at the very least 2-3 times a year I do a complete disassembly of my guns to clean completely & inspect parts. Between clubs monthly matchs I sometimes clean and sometimes don't but if I do clean them it my be just a wipe down with a bore snake cleaning and a few drops of oil in critical areas. If I've got a big match like a state or above, at the very least the latter but more likely the former. It just varies, depend on whats coming up or how long its been, also weather plays a part as after shooting in the rain, cleaning is a must as well as shooting in a very windy dusty conditions that also require's a good cleaning. WBR

[Long Johns Wolf]

Shooting .44 Colt smokeless loads only and regularly a total of 50 to 100 rounds per week through pistols and rifle together my attempt is to clean once a month. But it's more often 2 or even 3 months...
Long Johns Wolf

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

If you are shooting Smokeless, excessive cleaning is a good way to wear your guns out. Particularly if you are completely stripping them down every time. It's pretty easy to cross thread screws and strip threads if the guns are taken apart over and over again. I know guys with military experience still feel their DI is looking over their shoulder, so they can't abide not cleaning a gun, but with Smokeless powder and modern non-corrosive primers you really don't have to clean them every time you shoot them.

[Silver_Rings]

When I was shooting bullseye matches over 35 yrs ago I would put a 1,000 rds through my Colt Gold Cup 1911 and my high standard 22 before cleaning. 

Now, shooting CAS with Schofields I have to clean them after about 200 rds because the cylinder is getting hard to turn.  I shoot smokeless and believe that cleaning guns often causes more wear than shooting lead bullets will ever do.

SR

[Jefro]

Shooting smokeless about once a month, which is usually after three matches. Never had a problem with leading. Merry Christmas.

  Jefro,   Relax-Enjoy

[Red Dog Don]

Shooting smokeless in stainless steel Rugers. Clean them every third or fourth match.

Red Dog Don ........ who joined the forum today

[Charlie Bowdre]

welcome Red Dog. Enjoy
Dutchie

[Virginia Gentleman]

If shooting smokeless, the time can vary as many have described.  I personally like to clean them after every shoot, but it is a light cleaning and oil rag wipedown.  If the guns get really filthy, then it is time for a dunk in the ammo can full of Ed's Red and a more detailed cleaning.  Always remember to take off the grips if soaking the gun in a container full of Ed's Red.