Cleaning a firearm is a crucial component of proper gun maintenance. However, a lot of people don’t know how to clean guns correctly. If you make the wrong moves when cleaning your gun, you could wind up damaging the firearm or hurting yourself.
What should you avoid when you’re cleaning guns? How can you learn to clean your gun safely and effectively?
Let’s take a look at some common errors in cleaning guns and how you can avoid them. Read on!
1. Too Much Cleaning
One of the most common errors in cleaning gun parts is the over-cleaning of them. Too much cleaning can damage the surfaces of your gun, and it can actually reduce the performance of the firearm over time.
To avoid this mistake, use a gun cleaning brush only once every six months or so, and use oil to properly lubricate the moving parts as needed. Doing so will help to keep the gun functioning properly without the need for too much upkeep.
Dont use harsh cleaners on any of the parts; a light cleaning is all that’s necessary. Additionally, take great care when cleaning the firing pin and bore, as excessive scrubbing can damage these components.
Inspect all parts carefully for signs of corrosion or wear before cleaning, and only use a soft cloth to lightly wipe away dirt or debris.
2. Not Taking the Gun Apart Completely When Cleaning
Not taking the gun apart completely when cleaning is a common mistake when it comes to gun maintenance. This can be detrimental to the gun’s performance and can lead to more problems, such as jams, feeding issues, and misfires.
To avoid this error, it is best to take the gun apart completely and clean each individual part with a cleaning kit specific to your gun. This helps ensure that all parts are free of dirt, debris, and other contaminants that could affect the overall performance of your firearm.
Taking the time to completely take the gun apart and clean each part properly is one of the best ways to ensure your gun is safe and performs properly.
3. Neglecting to Check the Gun Chamber
Neglecting to check the gun chamber is one of the most common mistakes made while cleaning a gun. Overlooking the gun chamber can lead to various issues, including ammo failure and serious accidents.
To avoid this mistake, it is important that you remain vigilant and check the gun chamber after every cleaning. Before cleaning, always make sure to remove any ammunition from the gun chamber.
Do not try to clean a loaded gun. During the cleaning process, check all parts of the gun, including the barrel and chamber, to ensure no debris is left behind before reassembling the weapon.
4. Not Thoroughly Cleaning
Not taking the time to clean all parts and surfaces of the gun can be dangerously inviting to gun failure. This is especially true for pistols and revolvers with tight tolerances, like 1911.
Neglecting to clean between tight spaces can reduce a gun’s ability to operate reliably and function safely. In order to generate consistent and reliable performance, every part should be dismantled, and both the exterior and interior of the gun completely wiped clean and lubricated.
Do not rush or try to save time by avoiding this step, as it could leave behind debris and block important mechanisms like the firing pin.
5. Over-lubrication
One common error in cleaning guns mistakes that should be avoided is over-lubrication. This can lead to dirt and particles becoming trapped in the gun, causing corrosion, wear, and tear, and can even make it unreliable and dangerous to use.
To avoid this mistake it is important to ensure that enough lubrication is applied and that it is evenly distributed. It is equally important to take the time to adequately clean the gun before lubricating it.
This will ensure that all dirt and particles are removed before any lubricant is applied. Additionally, lubricating with quality lubricants specifically designed for guns is also advisable to ensure that the gun remains in perfect condition.
6. Using the Wrong Cleaning Product
Using the wrong cleaning product is a common error made when cleaning guns. It’s important to use a specialized gun cleaning product that won’t damage the surface of the gun or leave a residue.
Using the wrong product, such as normal household cleaning products, can cause the surface to corrode and wear away the finish of the gun. For this reason, it’s better to use a dedicated gun cleaning product, which will protect the firearm from damage.
Even some regular cleaning products can contain corrosive agents that may damage a gun, so look for something specifically labeled as gun cleaning oil to make sure you are using the right product.
7. Using Incorrect Rods and Brushes
Using the incorrect rod and brushes to clean a gun is a common mistake. Firstly, the rod and brushes should not be interchangeable between different calibers of guns.
For example, a 12 gauge shotgun rod should not be used on a .38 caliber pistol, as it may cause blockages in the bore of the gun. Additionally, the correct size of the brush must be used.
A brush with bristles larger than the bore area can cause damage to the barrel and lead to the gun not firing accurately. When purchasing rods and brushes, ensure you purchase quality guns, specifically ones for long-term use. It’s worth investing in a few sizes of cleaning rods as well as ones with various features, such as expanding tips.
Finally, inspect your rod before using it to ensure there are no rough spots or burrs that could scratch your gun’s barrel while cleaning. You can even do your research for proper products and accessories like shotgun recoil pads.
Avoid These Errors in Cleaning Guns Today
In summary, it’s important to be aware and knowledgeable about the errors in cleaning guns that people make. Taking the time to do thorough research on the type of gun you own and the proper cleaning technique can save you from anxiety and potential danger.
Don’t forget to exercise safety when cleaning your guns as well. Learn from others’ experiences and ensure that your gun cleaning routine is mistake-proof!
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