Another Reason To Clean After Every Trip To The Range

[tvtog]

Or...."don't be careless like me"

Went to the range last weekend (Wexford Game Lands). It had warmed up a little but in the shade and under the shelter it was cooler than I expected after spending the day in the winter sun earlier.

I was there about 45 minutes before packing up. After loading 6 rounds at a time, I was still surprised at the difficulty in loading the 15 rd mags for my G19. I attributed it to the cold and my fingers not willing to work too well, but eventually got all 15 in...racked the slide and off I went.

I decided to use some downtime today to clean the Glock and the Shield. I pulled out the Glock, dropped the mag and cleared the chamber. I went to reload that one round into the mag and it was difficult but it went in.

Knowing the feel of the gun...I knew it just wasn't right. I actually wondered if I had miscounted and jammed a 16th in. So popping them off and counting one...two...three....................

four wouldn't come out. I look and eventually ease it out and with it pops out a staple from the staple gun I used to hang my targets.

I am so pissed at my carelessness. The cold had been distracting to me. I actually left because i felt i wasn't being sharp enough and in my carelessness, I could've caused a real problem.

So....moral of the story...(as if you guys need it): There's nothing wrong with routinely checking the functionality of something you normally have 100% faith in.

[harold63]

So....moral of the story...(as if you guys need it): There's nothing wrong with moving to FL and routinely checking your equipment.

Fixed it for ya.

Well, that's kind of a rare thing to happen, though I have dug lint and a button out of magazines. If it had tried to chamber, it likely would have jammed, so I would be too hard on yourself. Call it your Mulligan for the year.

[Twoboxer]

Interesting. I always do an empty/function test when I return home because each pistol has a designated storage place and load. Never realized that might save me some problems next time at the range.

Separately, I bought a CZ 75 B yesterday, and for the first time saw cleaning advice like this in a firearm manual:

"Clean your pistol:
- Each time you use it,
- If you get your pistol wet,
- As soon as possible after shooting,
- (and 2 others related to in-storage)

If the pistol has not been fired or if only a few cartrdges have been fired, clean the barrel bore and cartridge chamber with a clean patch attached to the [included] cleaning rod. Repeat the cleaning, changing patches, until the last patch comes out clean.

When the barrel bore is very dirty, apply a gun cleaning solution . . . [the rest is more or less as you would expect.]"

[firebird.77]

If it had tried to chamber, it likely would have jammed, so I would be too hard on yourself.

Sounds like it was his EDC since he reloaded it to capacity before leaving the range. In the event it was needed, round #4 jamming could have been catastrophic.


Thanks for the reminder to routinely check our gear...

[Manxdriver]

Funny you mention this today. I went through a few mags in my 1911 the other day. I was carrying my spare mags in my pocket for convenience.
I chew on mint toothpicks for laughs and to pass the time. Hey, there are worse habits. Anyway, if there are womenfolk around I don't like to spit in front of them. so, instead of launching a chewed up mess of minty wood pulp, somethimes I just slide it into my pocket, and clean it out later. If I forget, the dryer screen catches it, then I catch hell from the Mrs.
Where was I? Oh yeah, about three round into the second mag I dug out of my pocket, I get a 'fail to feed'. I rack the slide back on the 1911 and there it is: a tiny little birds nest of minty wood chips. Yep, my nasty little toothpick addiction would have gotten me killed in a firefight! Lesson learned. Storing that shit in the other pocket now!

[Svickstc]

Why in my routine of loading up for the day admin reload is one of my functions...as well the same at the night when i put it by my side...

[tvtog]

Sounds like it was his EDC since he reloaded it to capacity before leaving the range. In the event it was needed, round #4 jamming could have been catastrophic.


Thanks for the reminder to routinely check our gear...

Exactly. Not worried so much about a next trip to the range....It is my EDC and if I had needed #4 in a defensive situation, I could've been screwed.

[harold63]

Sounds like it was his EDC since he reloaded it to capacity before leaving the range. In the event it was needed, round #4 jamming could have been catastrophic.

Well, no one wants to use their gun as a boomerang. I believe it is why he started the thread and I used the term "Mulligan" since all is well. Personally, if it didn't feel right, I'd have fixed it on the spot, but who wants to kick a man when he admits he's down? Here's what happens when something ain't right but you force the issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh1lyMyejpI

[9x23]

Funny you mention this today. I went through a few mags in my 1911 the other day. I was carrying my spare mags in my pocket for convenience.

I also carry a spare 1911 mag in my pocket, in a knife holder. Buy one of those cheap, nylon, knife/maglight holders. Try several for size. Mine fits perfectly. Cut off the flap covering the top. Cut to height needed, melt the raw ends with a lighter. Some have belt loops on the back. Cut one or two of the stitches, the rest will pull out and remove said loop. Works great for keeping debris out of a mag for like, 2-3 bucks.