Cleaning Question...

[PA86]

Hello all, I pocket carry an LCP so I make sure to blow it out often and break it down about once a month, wipe it down, blow it out, and re-lube it.

How often, if ever, do I need to bother with a real scrubbing and solvent if it hasn't been fired?

[Rezin777]

I would say never. Solvents are used to dissolve the deposits that are left behind after shooting the gun. As long as you clear out all the lint in your monthly cleaning, you should be fine.

[tlgpa]

How often, if ever, do I need to bother with a real scrubbing and solvent if it hasn't been fired?

Solvent is for cleaning. If it's not fired, it doesn't need to be cleaned.

If it's pocket carried, definately a good idea to clean it semi often to keep lint and dirt out. Also keep it lubed. It'll be exposed to sweat in your pockets. Sweat will lead to rust.

[Hokkmike]

I would agree with the others except that I am wondering if every couple of months the lube might not accumulate? I doubt it, but it does make me think that cutting through it once in a while with solvent couldn't hurt.

[biggs88]

I would say never. Solvents are used to dissolve the deposits that are left behind after shooting the gun. As long as you clear out all the lint in your monthly cleaning, you should be fine.

+1

I would be tempted tho to give it a cleaning with solvent about every 6 months if it's not getting fired.

This being your carry gun, I would hope your practicing on the regular, thus giving you reason to clean it more often.

[RickD]

Got a pocket holster? That would help keep the crud out.

You should be practicing with it regularly too IMHO.

[24/7dude]

Got a pocket holster? That would help keep the crud out.

You should be practicing with it regularly too IMHO.

They don't keep the crud out of the rear of the slide or hammer though, but yes, they do help.

I took mine to the range a few times after being pocketed long enough to have lint build up around the hammer and tested it out before cleaning it. Never had any problems, so a little pocket lint isn't really that big of a deal. I wouldn't let it build up for long though.

[levib]

I carried my LCP for 3 months without once cleaning it and only firing it a couple times to see what would happen. At the end of the 3 months, I pulled it out and emptied the magazine without a single malfunction.

I don't think lint will affect the operation of your gun unless it is somehow packed in extremely tight. Blow it out now and then to make sure everything is loose, lube it up and check for rust very occasionally, and you should be just fine.

[rwb1500]

I carry my P32 in a pocket holster sometimes and try to give it a good cleaning pretty often. Then again, I shoot mine at least once a month, if not more, so I'm usually using a solvent pretty often, as well as cleaning out lint and what not.