Smyth Busters: Can You "Over-Clean" a Gun?

Brownells Gun Techs™ Caleb and Steve are like superheroes, using the immense power of their knowledge and experience to dispel misinformation for the benefit of gun owners everywhere. Today, they take on the notion that "You cannot over-clean your gun." You can't wear out a gun with excessive cleaning it, but you'll hit a point where it's as clean as it's ever going to be. Trouble comes from taking the gun apart beyond field-stripping it. If you shoot a gun a whole LOT, you should completely disassemble it and clean it ONCE a year, but....
Disassembling a gun too often will shorten its service life by putting unnecessary wear on parts of it. Any time you remove a pin or a screw from a gun, you will put a little wear on the hole it goes into. Over time the pin or screw will get loose, and that can adversely affect the gun's functioning. On modern polymer-frame pistols, says Steve, most of the parts in the frame are exposed, and you can clean it just by hosing it down with some polymer-safe aerosol gun cleaner.
Older service-type firearms like the Colt 1911 or M1 Garand or the AR-15 are designed for regular disassembly. But be careful not to lose a small part when you take your Forty-Five apart. If you don’t notice it's missing, you may wonder why your gun stopped functioning after you cleaned it!
When your groups start opening up, your barrel needs to be cleaned. A lot of precision shooters actually prefer a slightly "dirty" barrel and purposely shoot some "fouling" shots before they shoot the ones that count for points in the match!
Good-quality modern .22 Long Rifle rimfire ammo burns very cleanly, so the bore rarely needs cleaning. But the receiver does get gunked up with the waxy bullet lubricant. Clean up that area regularly.
So the myth is BUSTED. You CAN "over-clean" a gun by disassembling it too often.
The myth of cleaning your gun EVERY time you shoot it might go back to the black powder days, when the black powder and corrosive primer residue had to be cleaned off the gun before they rusted the steel.

[@cleetismcdougall5425]

Warm wash and tumble dry…..no need to remove the gun from the holster or the holster from your gun belt.

[@cwagner122]

Horrible advice my dude now I'm hiding from my ol lady out in the dog house.

[@mattschmitt9924]

@@cwagner122 you were in the dog house with her way before cleetis said anything.

[@johnburrows1179]

I clean my guns after each time. Two reasons. One, I enjoy the hell out of it. Two, it gives me a chance to see any problems with them. I have 25 year old guns that look as good as the day I bought them. To me, a $1000 gun is a lot of money. I work hard for the money to buy them.

[@prancer1803]

That’s why you should give them up! And also defund the police, give up your guns, release the felons, and defecate on the streets! I mean am I right?

[@johnburrows1179]

@@prancer1803 oh absolutely. Don’t forget to leave our doors to our home unlocked. With signs up that say gun free zone, plenty of food inside, help yourself

[@DB-qm4jx]

I have $1000 RC car that’s a lot of money to and I have $1000 gun I feel rich and privileged to live here in this country! Thank you to every service man and woman no and who is past sincerely appreciate your sacrifice for my freedom!!

[@johnburrows1179]

@@DB-qm4jx that’s great. I wish everyone appreciated this country. Today it seems like all everyone does is complain about how bad the country is. But I don’t see anyone trying to leave. All I see is people trying to get in. Most people have never been out of this country so they have nothing to compare it to. I grew up poor in the city. Then at 18 I was sent to Vietnam. When I came back I realized just how great this country is, even with all its problems. Welcome

[@DB-qm4jx]

@@johnburrows1179 you said it, right on point! thank you very much!!

[@ironmikehallowween]

I have firearms that have never been completely apart for many decades. With basic cleaning, they work flawlessly.

[@jamesdelong6401]

💯. Firearms just need your basic TLC. Good to go

[@CarlosRodriguez-kb9jc]

I’m getting flashbacks to Army boot camp and having to clean your weapon every time that we had idle time.

[@oceandmike]

Aaahhhh….good times.

[@Frankie-Bleddyn]

Fort Jackson, 1979. Sadly, I can't purchase the civilian version of the M16A1 here in California. Yet my SKS with Nikon optics....completely legal. Go figure the goober smoochers.

[@woohoo2you966]

Wait...we can stop after basic? I'm still worried someone with a 'brown round' will catch me a decade later with a dirty gun!

[@jmmartin7766]

That was actually a good habit being knocked into us. When my brother was a Marine in Ramadi 03', he said his "A4" never failed him, but then his platoon was always cleaning their weapons, every time they weren't sending or receiving fire...

[@Frankie-Bleddyn]

@@woohoo2you966 LOL good point. In my case, I only use my Glock 19 for one purpose shoot a human or large carnivore, therefore it has never been fired and won't need to be cleaned until duty calls. My SKS on the other hand sees the range frequently and is seriously in need of a cleaning. Hence my need for this channel, they have a nice 4 part series on how to do that with my SKS.

[@blumpkinjones6793]

I use cleaning of firearms as a teaching moment for my kids. They love how the parts fit together and get a sense of accomplishment when the job is done.

[@mattschmitt9924]

That sounds like some good bonding opportunities. My kids are not interested in doing that every other weekend. I may get them to tune in once or twice a year. I've got 11 and 9 year old boys.

[@ALLaboutGAMINGxCHAOSxHOLLOWx]

my little boy likes my 43x so i try letting him handle it (unloaded) with out a mag every time he asks so its out of his system lol

[@blumpkinjones6793]

@@ALLaboutGAMINGxCHAOSxHOLLOWx I took my kids shooting at a young age to remove all mystery and to teach respect, safety and fun.

[@mke259]

@@ALLaboutGAMINGxCHAOSxHOLLOWx I learned at the age 5. Teach em up young here I am 29 years old with 24 years of experience and a love for the 2A and now an ambassador for it.

[@mke259]

@@blumpkinjones6793 I think a better word that resonates with an opposing viewpoint would be "curiosity" children are more curious than adults about literally everything. My Dad would leave a few loaded wheelguns stashed in different rooms of our house. Since he taught us at such a young age, I was no longer curious about firearms and they became "normal"

[@richardthomas6602]

Last I looked, in training, the Army required meticulous cleaning every time the AR was returned to the armsroom. That would be Uncle Sam's influence on one's habits. An influence that stayed with me to this day.

[@mikewallace8087]

r.t. Look at it this way maybe , In the Army your time was cheap and you were part of a captive audience. Organization and work ethic was driven extreme obedience that was not to be questioned.

[@grahamohea2424]

Same here. I can't put a dirty gun away in my safe... the Army put that into me and now it just doesn't feel right not to clean it. The irony is that I shoot mostly Glocks, a platform that basically doesn't require cleaning to begin with

[@richardthomas6602]

@@mikewallace8087 that is what it may appear from the outside looking in, but from living the lifestyle for 20 years the reasons are much clearer. Small arms are personal security (life support) as well as mission critical. Frequent cleaning not only built competency in operator maintenance, it also established routine inspection of the moving parts critical to survival and victory. Victory not possible without skilled teamwork. Skilled means well trained, practiced and equipped. Think your high-school or community competitive team sport if you participated. Be all you can be.

[@travishimself1973]

I clean my guns after every use. A good 30 mins per gun cleaning. Just seems like excuses for laziness not to do it.

[@FishFind3000]

Half the problem is if you clean it you don’t wanna shoot it again so you don’t have to clean it.

[@thedeathwobblechannel6539]

I never seen any of the AR-15 type rifles as dirty as my M16 in basic training we shot the crap out of that thing in a week and a half and it was so damn dirty so yeah it's got to be cleaned disassembled field stripped whatever but you got to clean it and I mean clean it good not just wipe it off with a rag ago it'll work

[@OriginalEric]

It wasn't just black powder that needed to be cleaned every time, it was also ammo with corrosive primers. That stuff was relatively common until WW2 (even beyond that in combloc countries) and as these guys said, a lot of our dads and grandpas would have grown up shooting that old or surplus ammo and it certainly did need a thorough cleaning every time.

[@FishFind3000]

If your shooting corrosive ammo you need to clean every time.

[@bertg.6056]

You mean corrosive primers?

[@jasonjohnson6938]

@@bertg.6056 functionally, exactly the same.

[@AndyE30]

@@bertg.6056 "corrosive ammo" is a common identifier of ammo made with corrosive primers

[@bertg.6056]

@@AndyE30 I'm a fan of specificity. Primers corrode.

[@brianhoxworth3881]

They did not mention that, there is a lot of surplus ammo out there.

[@ETHRON1]

I "used" to be OCD about cleaning. My Sgt in the army always said "a clean rifle will save you when you need it." As I've matured over the years...well, sorry Sarg.

[@prancer1803]

Haha

[@v.german11b]

Sarge for you, private! 😁😄

[@r8tr273]

I enjoy cleaning my guns so I field strip, clean the barrel and exposed parts and the outside. I never take everything apart. If it doesn’t work perfectly it goes to a gunsmith. Great channel. Thanks guys.

[@hopewilliams6705]

Clean.. with purpose and reason!

[@JoseSantana-yp1wp]

I typically clean my stuff every 500-1k rounds. Just a simple field strip and lube to make sure it's still going. Plus feeling the smoothness of the action on any gun after a cleaning is always satisfying

[@NicoEl119]

Oh yeeeees...I dryfire so much, my oil goes away fast. I dab a little on even when clean...The sound of freshe oil I the action....Its like a movie..😂

[@shoofly529]

@@NicoEl119 I use Hoppes #9; for gun cleaning & as a cologne 😉

[@NicoEl119]

@@shoofly529 😂😂

[@shoofly529]

@@NicoEl119 I cannot take credit for the line; I heard it in one of GunBlue490 videos!

[@erikjensen6503]

Dad always cleaned after a trip in the field but it consisted of a quick rod through the barel, and a wipe down with a lightly oiled rag

[@davidfarris1332]

Any time I read a product description on the Brownells website it reads in my head in Steve's voice 🤣

[@RKBrumbelow]

I would have mentioned patina and finishes. Any time you are altering either, you are likely cleaning TDM.

[@gibby237]

Great point!

[@Iceaxehikes]

Let's talk about that Marlin model 39A. My favorite lever action. Speaking of which; my Marlin model 97 is 109 years old and shows no sign of wearing out. Of course, things were made better in those days.

[@YetAnotherJohnDoe1776]

Great points on this topic, particularly about wear on friction fits and only disassembling beyond a field strip given the right time and place. Thanks! 😊

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

It's NOT over cleaning! 🧼🪣🚿 it's improper cleaning. Police armorers & agency gunsmiths often gripe about improper maintenance or cleaning.

[@davidschaadt3460]

I used to hate and avoid cleaning guns ,but now I really enjoy it. It's relaxing,and time to really inspect parts.

[@killshot2534]

One thing you guys said is “don’t clean it if you haven’t used it” but what happens if it’s your carry gun? Don’t’ you wanna clean the lint dirt/dust and re-oil the firearm. I clean my carry gun once ever 3 weeks or a month and if I use it at the range I tried to clean it once I get home.

[@5jjt]

Buy an identical gun as your carry and don't shoot your carry peice. The 2nd peice will receive all if the wear, and experience any premature broken components that you wouldn't want to happen on your carry peice.

[@traillesstravelled7901]

Haven't cleaned the polymer, striker fired in 9months, it still works better than I can use it.

[@chuckcochran8599]

55 years ago, my Father instructed me that a field strip is exactly that, a Field Strip. Any disassembly that required more than a field strip, was best done on the bench where you can keep track of the parts you're removing, and all the tools and aids are on the bench. That's stuck with me, and in all the intervening years I've never done anything more than a field strip while in the field. I do agree with you both about total tear downs. That should be avoided and not done just as a routine part of cleaning, unless the gun was designed to be torn down with a minimal amount of tools (Military Firearms are the exception as most are designed for a Barrack's Strip Down as my Dad called it).

[@FishFind3000]

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!! Breaks out the 400 grit sandpaper to remove carbon…

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

I only use 200...😁

[@thereloadingcraft]

😂😂

[@Hammerback0]

Mine hadnt ben cleaned for 30 rounds, so i put it in the sandblasting cabinet before i hit it with the 80 grit.

[@LTTUSA]

PLEASE do an episode on which firearms or firearm types are “Dishwasher Safe”. Of those that are, is the bottom rack or top rack better? Should Hoppes 9 be poured directly into detergent compartment or are there CLP Pods you prefer? Also, what lubrication do you recommend to put in the spot free rinse compartment? Is heat dry or air dry better? This would be a great show for 4/1/23. Thank you for doing Smyth Busters 👍……

[@randydelgado2686]

That would Be legit hilarious. I feel like if they did that for 4/1 they would risk getting sued by the inevitable idiots who take them seriously.

[@danieldavis7784]

I really liked the beginning of the video. I clean when it's needed.

[@cleondubois1270]

One of the most frustrating places to clean is around the forcing cone on a revolver; especially a stainless steel revolver.

[@libertycosworth8675]

Another great video guys!

[@simply_based]

I was always told to clean every time you go shooting. Rarely did it, though.

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation

[@scttewegner72]

I was never from a firearm family even though my father served in the Navy, and was armed security at Marina Towers back in the day. So basically I learned on my own about 9 years ago. I used to breakdown and clean the firearms after each range session. Then yutube had a decent group of people for me to start following and learning from. Also brought me to using your company and following your channel. So nope, I dont clean til I know it needs to be cleaned. Its a feel for the firearm, as well as each individual accuracy thing.

[@tomcooper920]

I clean mine with in a few days of shooting it. It may not need it but I enjoy cleaning it good while I sit and watch TV. Plus it gives me a satisfying feeling once it's done.

[@davidanderson5259]

I blame the military practice of frequent cleaning that originated in the days of corrosive primers and dirty powder. You have to shoot a whole lot of modern ammunition before there's any appreciable residue. But now let's hear some discussion about bore snakes/pullthroughs and their effect on muzzle rifling...

[@NismoXero]

I sandblast daily. Keeps em nice and shiny! 😉

[@starkparker16]

Another great video from Steve and Caleb

[@pipesmokingdeputy423]

For me it depends on the gun, (Glock vs. AR) what the gun is used for (plinking vs. self defense) and what type of ammo was recently shot out of it (i.e. corrosive).

[@ryanwilson5936]

I know it’s like beating a dead horse but Caleb’s hair is absolutely pristine. Love it!

[@snowheader2200]

Love these shows!

[@xz569]

Yes, yes you can over clean. Seen it on G3, literally cleaned to death. So yeah, spot on

[@PALACIO254]

Oh man I got a G3 how'd it get cleaned to death?

[@prancer1803]

@@dortywings7217 so, it doesn’t hurt its functionality actually

[@gregk1489]

"back with another episode of smyth-busters" is my cue to hit the like button

[@sturisa]

I may not run a cleaning rod or Otis cleaning cable with patches through my guns, but use a boresnake almost every time after shooting. I always try to at least clean out the breech area and bolt face after shooting. I disassemble occasionally but not very often.

[@bertg.6056]

I would think that over oiling is far more common than over cleaning.

[@majorpwner241]

Yeah this was the direction they should have taken such a question in. I was surprised and also not shocked that they didn't.

[@22640cal]

Amen to this! Plus the oil seeps into everywhere. Grease is the way :)

[@mattschmitt9924]

@@22640cal I have been coming around to the greasy side the last year or 2. It may be the way.

[@jazeenharal6013]

​@@mattschmitt9924 yeah finally got some Wilson Combat thin gun grease. It's great stuff. It actually stays where you put it.

[@gunfisher4661]

@@22640cal Grease is the way until you have one in the safe for many years without use then you say never again.

[@edrosa3485]

If I don't clean it after I shoot it, I'll keep thinking "I need to clean that gun"...

[@versoarmamentcompany]

Well put

[@nsob8897]

I like the intro...thats perfect. Haha I can tell ya for certain that I clean the snot out of my guns...occasionally. I dont clean them every time I go shooting anymore but still pretty regularly. Just to keep the crud from building up in those special areas of the gun where it loves to accumulate. I have a p365 that likes to build up fouling on the inside edge of the guide rail just below the ejection port...it gets so loaded up in that one spot that it drives me insane some days trying to clean it.

[@deejayimm]

I have one particular Glock 23 that I haven't cleaned in 13 years and I shoot it almost every weekend. My dad's Nylon 66 was at least 30 years old before it was cleaned the first time and it still worked fine. Every one of my 1911's like to be clean or they will malfunction more often. The first black powder gun I ever bought I cleaned everywhere but the hole for the base pin, and it rusted all to hell. Every kind of firearm has different needs.

[@DinoNucci]

Correct information.

[@chrisgunsandguitars1403]

I just like that Marlin Golden 39A on the table. I have one of my own.

[@tonydeaton1967]

Shook hands with Steve at the Tulsa gunshow this past weekend. Nice guy.

[@aaronjondro5602]

I’m guilty of the Marlin extractor. The first time I shot my 444S after having it threaded I screwed my can on at the range and removed the bolt to check alignment. When I did the extractor fell out and landed under the shooting bench. Luckily I quickly found it and was able to enjoy my trip to the range.

[@opencarry3860]

People bash on Glocks, but my gen 2 from 1993 has only been cleaned three times over the years and it still goes bang with every press of the trigger. Would I do this with my Colt SAA? No, it is cleaned after every firing session, but a Glock 17 is not a finely tuned precision revolver.

[@Gunthusiest]

My ARs and AKs usually get a good cleaning about every thousand rounds. Pistols, I usually wipe them out with clp and rags every range trip, but I also enjoy cleaning guns.

[@coder0079]

Is that a Snap Safe behind Caleb? It sure looks like a Snap Safe.

[@Friedbrain11]

I was taught to clean ti every time I shot it. Now I think I should slow that down a bit LOL. Thanks, Smyth Busters!

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

THANKS

[@Incapacitator99]

Good advice!

[@dragonsofthunder]

I shoot a couple of thousand rounds before I clean my guns, unless it's my carry gun. I ran a few of them past 5k rounds without cleaning with no issues at all.

[@STMUN]

my first firearm I cleaned every time but now I clean them once a year and it's mostly now just to do a full inspection (found some oddities during my last cleaning that got me contacting warranty) but other than that, I spray some gun oil on the moving bits if it's been sitting for awhile or feeling not slick, function check, then I take them out to the range or hunting

[@johnmcnally8906]

Got a chuckle about "Over Clean" a gun. I'll bet a lot of men (and women) who were in the Army or probably other branches, smiled at that statement as well. I remember my whole basic training platoon, buck naked in the shower washing our M-14's, drying them and then oiling etc. The next day at inspection, we were told by the D.I., that he had never seen so many filthy weapons! NEVER a clean weapon, ever! Nam was a different story, squirt L.S.P. until the M16 was working, until you could find the time and place to clean properly, could be days. Still many moons later I still don't feel right until my guns are cleaned, checked and ready!

[@Crangaso]

Depends on the type of ammo used how often on round count but I field strip and clean with oil (not solvent) if I can tell it's dirty.

[@rbm6184]

There are different levels of cleaning. From no disassembly to field strip to partial disassembly to complete disassembly. Use the level that is needed and no more.

[@v.german11b]

Good input. After shooting a firearm I surface clean it with a brush and a rag, then lube it (synthetic grease, if applies), and put it back together. About once or, on some of my guns, twice a year, I do a more thorough cleaning. Also, once a year I may take an often regularly used pistol to an ultrasound cleaning and inspection by my local gunsmith. With all that said, in the Army firearms cleaning was almost an obsession! 😁

[@jimziogas8978]

Good info

[@jimsiress9687]

Clean them sometimes 🙄 Range blasters when they malfunction. Go To's are wiped out then lubed correctly with range rotation 👍 Storage Queen's get 30-60 day inspection & wiped with Ballistol & or various protectant depending on the piece. Should be routine but Im guilty of slacking occasionally 🤔 There's my style 😅 Good video 👍

[@deucedeuce1572]

When I was younger, I had a Marlin that would always have the receiver full of unburned powder after shooting it each time. I never got to check to see if it was just one kind of ammo that did that, but never got to before it was destroyed in a fire. I think I mostly shot the thunderbolt ammo at that time though.

[@TheRobman139]

I’ve never cleaned any gun beyond field strip. How often I field strip/clean depends on the gun. I have a Springfield Armory 911 .380 that I carry more than any other gun I own. It is built to very tight tolerances. I clean that every 100-150 rounds. A typical range session with that gun is 100 rounds, so I typically clean it after every range session. My other handguns I clean every 200-300 rounds. Some really do seem to need it that often; others get cleaned that often because if I let them go longer it will take that much longer to clean them. I don’t want to spend an inordinate amount of time on gun cleaning. My military-style semiautomatic rifles get cleaned every 300 to 400 rounds. I could let them go longer but again, don’t want to spend that much more time cleaning them. My bolt-action high power rifles get cleaned after only 40-80 rounds. I know they could go a lot more rounds but I don’t shoot them very often, so I clean them up after a couple range sessions cuz they’re going to get put away for a long while till the next time. I don’t remember the last time I cleaned my bolt-action .22 rifle. I should probably clean it pretty soon.

[@941Earl]

Read this too fast and thought the thumbnail said "Can you 'Oven Cleaner' a gun". Imagine my chagrin when I watched this and then reread the title. 🤔😂

[@drichi07]

My old man was one who taught his kids to clean them after every firing, and he was taught by his old man who was a gunsmith. I learned that and it was reinforced by the military where we had to scrub things to death after every firing. I sort of slackened off over the years and laid off of much more than bore cleaning. I just still cannot rest easy knowing I have a fouled bore (except for hunting season) for very long, even though I know it mostly likely will be ok as long as it is stored properly.

[@PierceThirlen2]

With my Sig P365 I found that friction on the breechface made it more difficult for the slide to return to battery. By polishing the breechface and the left adjacent wall to the breechface, and polishing the underside of the extractor reduced the friction enough that you CANNOT prevent the slide from returning to battery no matter how slowly you try to ease the slide closed. But after gunpowder residue builds up on the breechface, it increases the friction sufficiently that it impedes the slide from returning to battery. So at the very least, I always make sure to clean the breechface area after every use. As a self defense pistol I want EVERY possible advantage that I can have if I ever need to defend myself with a pistol. After the initial break-in after 500 rounds or so you should also solvent clean the return spring assembly to clean out the metal particles worn off during the break-in. I was surprised by how much crap was flushed out of the RSA.

[@jazeenharal6013]

I've wayyyyy backed off on my cleaning regimen compared to when I was excited and new to firearms. Now, after I get home from the range I'll pull out the BCG, run an oily rod down the barrel once give it all a good wipe down and re-oil the wear-surfaces. Every 1000-1500 rounds I'll do the dishsoap and air compressor deep cleaning. For pistols, I'll clean and re-oil the slide rails and wipe off any built up carbon with a cotton cloth. Honestly, even that is probably overkill, since I'll usually only shoot 100-200 rounds out of any given gun on a range trip. I used to do the DEEP clean every range trip, no matter how much I shot. It was good for getting to know how it all worked, but pragmatically it's entirely unnecessary to do a deep clean every single time. A good cotton-swatch wipedown of critical parts and some fresh oil is enough, And a major cleaning every 1000-1500 rounds My guns never sit for long, I like to go to the range at least a few times a month, so I don't really ever have to prepare them for long term storage.

[@leonardemmons4211]

I clean throughly once a year, I dry patch when I know I’m going to shoot again in a week or so, but I do lightly oil the outside of my guns after I’ve handled them shooting them because you know how oils/sweat from your hands can cause surface rust. Yes I baby my browning HP with more loving care just for the reason that I really love shooting it more because it feels and shoots so good for me. .40 S&W

[@mt11235]

I go by a round count vs. time on when to really strip it down and clean it. Usually try and line it up when have to replace springs and other wear items so have it apart anyway. Does mean you needs to keep a log to know how much each firearm as been shot, but not a big deal and good practice anyway IMO. Otherwise I don't worry about it much; maybe some gun scrubber to blast chunks out of hard to reach areas now and then. Although every 3-5k rounds I will pull strikers/firing pins out and blast those areas to clean out any oil/brass flakes/... that have crept in. Also use that as an op to inspect those parts and really clean extractors. Only takes a minute and have a few guns that feel left out they don't have belly-buttons to collect lint.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Good topic 👍🏻

[@keithtate1241]

I like to field strip, clean and lube my guns after every range trip. I may clean and lube my carry pistol a little more just to keep it lent free and ready to go. My guns that don't get out as much get a good cleaning every six months to a year. I enjoy cleaning my weapons. It is very relaxing for me. I do on occasion take them down further than a general field strip but only when necessary. Thanks for the video and keep shooting 😊.

[@GlasbanGorm]

Yes i had told two privates clean the M249, to get ready to fire. They cleaned it so well... it was bone dry and didnt function; it needed lubricant, and it got some from the carbon buildup from them trying to use it as a bolt action.

[@disturbedmaynard3873]

If I go and shoot several guns at the range, I am likely going to have a low round count per gun, so they get a wipe down to get the hand oils off of them, and they go into the safe. Every gun gets a complete disassembly and cleaning when they come out of the box new, but they won't come completely apart again unless there is a lot of dirt and gunk to remove, or any problems with functionality that could be due to dirt.

[@Insert-name-here00]

For my .22’s I keep the internal receiver sloppy wet with a thick lube. Haven’t had a jam since I started that practice. It also cleans up completely with an air gun.

[@gamerlegacy]

I don't shoot super often, so in general I do clean my guns after every range day, but I don't go crazy with it. I'll make sure there's no crud buildup anywhere and give it a good oil, but very rarely do I fully disassemble anything that doesn't need to move.

[@prestonnewcomb5991]

There is definitely a time and a place. I was at the range with my FN1906. It just would not feed. I was in such a hurry to show off my skills at addressing failures I forgot to release the spring before pulling the slide. That firing pin spring went about 5yd down range and two lanes to the left ( yes it should have gone straight if I was following range safety 100 percent) BTW, issue was having the wrong magazine. I bought it used and I'm guessing it's a Colt magazine.

[@caseymaloney3416]

Sometimes the manufacturers actually state to clean your rifle after every use, such as with POF Revolution. Maybe due to reduced size parts handling larger loads though I'm not sure.

[@secrityforcemarine]

I know in the marines we had to clean our rifles so much for inspections that we would wear the bluing off and wear the rifling off the barrel all because of the marines using the rifle cleaning as a form of hazing.

[@1977Yakko]

I usually go through 200-250 (300 tops if I feel like going nuts) rds when I go to the range and I generally clean the firearm afterwards. Basic field strip. Not a total takedown or anything.

[@TheEpictrooper]

I typically will just run a boresnake through the barrel, remove the bolt and clean (if practical for the model), and then wipe down any obvious gunk or buildup. That's what I do for my regular firearms that I don't use too often. For my PRS rifle I keep it lightly fouled as it runs better and then I clean and lube the boot and action to make sure it keeps cycling smoothly. I will do a complete disassemble on any mulsurp I purchase so not only remove cosmoline (the best part) but to also look for any worn or broken parts especially if the model has a reputation for such.

[@UnstoppableYaris]

Cleaning everything I shoot... Every time, no exceptions (sometimes the following day). It's a sort of "therapy" plus I like it!

[@dgax65]

In the Navy we cleaned weapons after every trip to the range. I just thought that was something that fell into the category of good engineering practices and I continued doing so with my civilian weapons. I don't have a PITA gunner's mate making me go back and clean it better three times now, so I'm not going crazy with the cleaning. I always run a bore snake through the barrel until a patch will come out clean. I'll clean up the chamber and BCG pretty good and make sure to get the loose carbon out of the upper and lower. Like I said, nothing crazy; just making sure that there is no accumulation of carbon or dirt that might attract or hold moisture.

[@gizmocarr3093]

I always take a new firearm apart and inspect them before using them. You find all sorts of things that need proper cleaning. Some are filled with too much lube and grease and some have none. I take special care of wood stocks and make sure the wood is well sealed and wax the internal surfaces with a wood wax and coat the all parts with oil, grease and metal protectant. Being sure, it is not a rust removing solvent. The barrels are often dirty from test firing. Starting with a clean and properly prepared firearm insures that it is going to work from the first shot. The military instructs you how to clean your firearm and the functions long before you ever get to shoot it. Having the proper tools need is as important as the proper size ammunition. More firearm damage occurs from people that do not learn how to care for their guns first than anything else.

[@leoguy1609]

Over lubricating you definitely can. For over cleaning? Seen some clean the slide or barrel to aggressively effect the finish of the firearm. Read the owners manual, basic field strip is only needed to clean a firearm in most situations. Only time I take out the frame pins? When something breaks or when I replace the springs every 2500 rounds or so.

[@P.E.J.]

I often see people spray down their guns with solvents everywhere. DONT do that - only place to spray is the barrel itself. The rest is for drycleaning more or less.

[@Scott-ym2wj]

2-3 times a year generally after multiple outings, after a particularly long one, or before changing parts then wiping down after.

[@allanhitchmoth3099]

I do "clean" my guns after every range session, but, I think we're tossing too much into the "what is the definition of cleaning" bucket. After a range session, I'll typically run a patch with solvent through the bore, then do the standard patch with oil. Then, anything that looks like it has powder residue or is dusty, I'll wipe it down. I'll "field strip" a new gun EVERY session. This gives me an idea as to where the gun is wearing; if the bearing surfaces are properly mating; etc. That way, I get a chance to see if there is a problem developing BEFORE it becomes a problem. My EDC guns get a wipedown every week, and a dry patch down the bore. If I see dust or lint buildup someplace that has access into the mechanism, I'll check that, even if I have to do more than field strip. The gun I carry around the property gets filthy pretty quickly and gets field stripped as soon as I see it's dirty. Also, because it sometimes gets moist (woods on my property, swamp next door) it will get dry-patched in the bore and re-oiled. Guns that I haven't fired may get my attention after a year or so, just to make sure nothing managed to infiltrate (like moisture, even though I have a heat-wand and canister of desiccant in the safe). .22 is a filthy round. While I may not do a complete take-down, I'll inspect and clean them after every session. If the usage has been light, I'll just do the bore. If I've gone through 200 rounds, I'll do a complete field strip. Of course, anytime I see anything resembling large dust particles, I figure there's some fine sand in there, and I absolutely WILL tear the gun down until I find clean surfaces (I live on a dirt road, so it's a lot more frequent than the average pavement-pounder may believe). I'm not one who places disassembly/reassembly damage into the category of "cleaning damage." I would think the more intellectually honest question would be "Can you over-disassemble and reassemble a gun?" Or "can you damage your gun by taking it apart too frequently?" rather than "can you over-clean" it. Bottom line is that nobody is familiar with anyone else's habits or environment, so it's hard to say what a good cleaning schedule should be. But, I think it's pretty instinctive to say "if you take it apart too frequently, you CAN increase the wear on certain parts, and, since complete disassembly is FREQUENTLY a bit of a risky proposition, you CAN increase the risk of breaking or losing something, the more frequently you fondle the individual pieces!

[@chriserickson4417]

I work at a Gun Range and shoot almost every day (20-30 rnds) and I clean (every other day) the barrel, breech and do a light lube on slide and barrel, and once a month I do a deep cleaning. Thanks for another great video!

[@mattschmitt9924]

To each their own, but that seems excessive to me.

[@Juan0481]

Adding a comment because I wipe down my edc and give it a very superficial cleaning when I haven't shot it, probably every other month. I just did that today to my m&p and what did I realize? Front sight was loose. Posting this as a follow up because cleaning helps you find potential issues. Glad i stripped it down tonight.

[@swkohnle08]

My 1911 pistols in 45 acp that I carry and shoot regularly, my only handguns, I clean after every range session whether I shot 100 rounds or 500 rounds. My carry 1911, I will field strip twice a month and wipe out any lint and then lightly lubricate and reassemble and reload for my holster. Cocked and locked. I enjoy cleaning and inspecting my guns and that includes my 5.56 AR. Gives me a chance to look for damage or wear, loose sights or other parts of the gun. I enjoy the process.

[@SteveJohnsonPHANTOM1984]

I hardly ever go further than the simple field stripping of my firearms when cleaning. And even then i don't clean after every time i go to the range. but i don't usually shoot more than 100 rds each time.

[@davidunderwood3605]

If you gotta, if you must strip em at the range or in the middle of a field or even in a hunting cabin to show your bud or buds then it ain't no points off the man card to spread that blanket down or shooting mat or heck your shirt, whatever to keep from loosing a valuable part even if cost on a buck or 2. And if you got springs that fly then throw the rag over it it catch it. For those guns that are able to send those springs flying around I've learned to use a pillow case on top of the bench mat. One holds the other and they both roll up into a small package and even essential tools can be rolled up too and neatly put into the bottom of a bag.

[@larryreinke6136]

Have a story about over cleaning, but could be from training. I received a Springfield Armory M1 Garand from the CMP years ago, Mfg. in 1952. I could not get that gun to print. My gunsmith at the time went to recrown the barrel and couldn't because of the barrel wobbling in the lathe, looked at in bright sunlight and saw that half the lands were worn down. I guess this could be an example of over cleaning the barrel.

[@allanchristopheragati2437]

I clean after every shoot session. Gun cleaning is a hobby in itself. LOL

[@Grizzlytactics91]

i clean em everytime. but thats mainly because these days with how crazy things are getting, ive only been shooting my primary defensive guns, which are limited to my AR15 and my ruger redhawk. the redhawk ill disassemble and deep clean it maybe twice a year. but typically i like to ensure the forcing cone, recoil shield, and cylinder is free of carbon. ive busted a few revolvers letting stuff build up in those areas. and my ar15, i clean it like the service weapon it is. but as far as the AR is concerned. its more of a "so i dont forget" kinda thing

[@reefread1234]

anything burnished you lose material it's a good rule of thumb to remember that

[@christopherjones-tf1ei]

I field strip and clean every time I get back from the range due to the fact of how much I shoot at a time at the range.

[@onenikkione]

Every time I get in trouble my dad makes me clean guns; wait till I show him this!!