Cleaning and Lubing semi-auto handguns

[Grumpa72]

A fair number of folks, me included, use non-chlorinated brake cleaner from a spray can for a basic cleaner. It costs about $3.50 per can, has dozens of applications in the can and evaporates without any residue. I then lightly grease the rails, lightly oil the lugs, and a drop of oil on any visible spring. I then reassemble the pistol, cycle the action several times and wipe off the excess grease and oil. In addition, I run a bore brush through the barrel with Hoppes #9 on it. I then run a patch through it and keep up with new patches until they come out clean. I then run an oil soaked patch through the bore followed by one patch to remove the excess oil.

[Rezin777]

I like clean guns but I've started to enjoy shooting them more than cleaning them. I think it used to be the other way around.

When I got home from the range yesterday, I field stripped my pistol. Soaked it in 3/4 hot water with 1/4 simple green for about 30-45 minutes. Brushed everything with an old toothbrush. Ran a boresnake through the barrel. Detail stripped the slide, which was pointless as there was no residue left on any of the internals. Let it air dry for a few hours. Oiled according to the manual and reassembled. Actual time spent was about 5 minutes. I obviously didn't sit and watch it soak or dry!

I used to use a bunch of q-tips with Hoppes #9, patches, and bore brushes. I would scrub away until the q-tips and patches were clean. It took quite a while, sometimes an hour or more, and while I don't mind the smell of Hoppes, it would linger for a day or two.

I think soaking in the simple green solution is easier, cleans just as well, and makes much less of a mess. I just use the wash sink for a quick rinse. With the Hoppes, I would have to dispose of the patches, q-tips, soaked rags, gloves, etc.

This technique might not be suitable for all pistols, but it suits mine perfectly.

[rikilii]

... don't mind the smell of Hoppes, it would linger for a day or two....

That's one reason i like the idea of cleaning with straight gun oil if it'll do the job. When I did it right after returning from the range, it seemed to do the trick....subsequent patches with a solvent didn't seem to bring out much more grime.

[Paradigm]

I clean the inside of my Cougar barrel with Hoppes and a brush kit, followed by Hoppes and wipes (repeat until no residue). I wipe out the frame internals with Hoppes and wipes. I then spray the barrel with a light film of Rem Oil. I put a few drops of Weapon Shield (thanks for the free pen!!!) on the mechanical parts. After assembly, I wipe down the outside with wipes and Rem Oil to remove any solvent residue.

That's my policy...and I'm sticking to it! (Until someone tells me otherwise... )

[rikilii]

I clean the inside of my Cougar barrel with Hoppes and a brush kit, followed by Hoppes and wipes (repeat until no residue). I wipe out the frame internals with Hoppes and wipes. I then spray the barrel with a light film of Rem Oil. I put a few drops of Weapon Shield (thanks for the free pen!!!) on the mechanical parts. After assembly, I wipe down the outside with wipes and Rem Oil to remove any solvent residue.

That's my policy...and I'm sticking to it! (Until someone tells me otherwise... )

Sounds like a good policy. Sure beats putting the gun in the dishwasher

[ErSwnn]

Maytag washer AND dryer. Only advice I can give is make SURE they are unloaded BEFORE putting in the dryer.

[hzox221]

I use Mobile1 for lubing. Hoppes for cleaning.

I never use a brush on the barrel.

[Paradigm]

Sounds like a good policy. Sure beats putting the gun in the dishwasher

That's just for Glocks...

[max384]

Maytag washer AND dryer. Only advice I can give is make SURE they are unloaded BEFORE putting in the dryer.

Just make sure not to dry the gun like this.

[rikilii]

Just make sure not to dry the gun like this.

Aw, c'mon. It's a Sig. I bet it'll still fire like that.