Cleaning a gun properly is imperative gun maintenance in order to keep your firearm functioning correctly as well as firing properly. Overtime, gun powder residue and sediment will build up inside of the gun’s barrel which can cause the weapon to malfunction which is of course incredibly dangerous. However, it is vitally important to know how to clean a gun the right way so as to avoid any mistakes or possible misfires. We’ve provided a step by step guide below on how to clean a gun if you’re not familiar.
Prior to following this guide, have your materials ready for cleaning the gun. It is up to you if you prefer to purchase a kit meant for gun cleaning or if you want to just assemble the items needed on your own. The main items you’ll want to make sure you have are:
- Some type of cloth or rag for cleaning the gun, preferably microfiber material for keeping the gun polished
- Lubricant or oil specifically meant for guns
- Cotton swabs or Q-Tips
- Bristled rod brushes
- Cleaning solvent specifically meant for gun cleaning
- Patches for gun cleaning
An example of a full kit that includes everything mentioned above, as well as other gun-cleaning materials, can be found here.
Step 1: Check Your Surroundings
Cleaning a gun can be a messy, and smelly, process. We recommended setting up your space by covering the area with either a cleaning mat or household items such as old towels or newspaper. Additionally, the cleaning solvent and oil can have strong fumes that can make you or those around you sick. Wherever you choose to clean your gun, be sure that the area is well-ventilated to avoid this.
Step 2: Unload The Gun
This is a crucial step any time are cleaning a gun. Always be sure to full empty the firearm of all ammunition prior to cleaning. Even if you remove the magazine, there may still be a round that is ready to fire, so be sure to double check that it is fully unloaded.
Step 3: Disassemble The Gun
Disassemble the parts of your gun, but only as much as the manufacturer recommends. If you’re unsure how much you should disassemble, check with the manufacturer before attempting to take it apart. This information should be in owner’s manual that should have come with the gun when it was purchased.
Step 4: Clean Out The Barrel
Use the rod brushes and patches to clean out the barrel of the gun. Push a solvent-soaked patch through the barrel using the rod until it comes out the other end, avoid pulling it back through the barrel as you’ll only be re-depositing the residue you’re trying to remove. Scrub the barrel repeatedly with the bristle brush rods and soaked patches until they begin to come out clean.
Step 5: Lubricate The Barrel
Lubricate the inside of the barrel by applying a few drops of lubricant or gun oil on a patch and pushing it through the barrel. This will lightly coat the inside of the barrel to keep the gun firing smoothly.
Step 6: Clean and Lubricate The Action
Use the cleaning solvent to clean and lubricate the action part of the gun. Apply the solvent to one of the gun brushes and brush it all over the action, then wipe it dry. After, lubricate the action lightly with the lubricant and a patch or cloth.
Step 7: Wipe Down The Gun
Lastly, wipe down the entire gun using your microfiber cloth. Some gun kits will come with a luster cloth that is pre-treated with a special lubricant to help keep the gun looking polished and free fingerprints.
Maintaining your gun is important, we highly recommend cleaning your gun after every time that it is fired for optimal performance.