Keep your firearm in best condition


Cleaning your handgun

It seems that not everyone understands thecoat to keep from increasing the pressures
importance of keeping their handguns cleanwhen firing. I have used the various teflon
and well lubricated to insure propercontaining oils (Tri-Flo and Breakfree) down
functioning. While this may have beento -20 deg. F when in Alaska. Some prefer to
understandable back in the days when the NRAdegrease the pistols under these
2700 was the primary match course, it is notcircumstances and use graphite lubricant. I
today. Back then, the pistols were assemblednever had a problem with the teflon oils
very tightly and frequent disassembly forunder these cold conditions and have never
cleaning was thought to decrease accuracy.tried  the  graphite  myself.
Perhaps it did. They also allowed "alibis",
the quaint custom of allowing you to reshootDeleading
a string when you had a malfunction. This
does not happen in the more modern forms ofLead bullets are easy on the bore of the
competition. Neither does it happen in apistol or revolver. But, they can leave lead
gunfight. A handgun must be kept clean anddeposits behind. Even "full metal jacketed"
lubricated if it is to be relied on for selfbullets can do this if the base is exposed
defense.lead as most are. I had a Glock .40 barrel
brought to me because of the leading from FMJ
The two basic handguns for self defense arebullets (about 5,000 rounds), when the barrel
revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Theywas fully cleaned, there was excessive
have differing cleaning requirements. I willpitting under the leading and the barrel had
deal  with  the  pistols, then the revolvers.to be replaced. This is the problem which
also is found in revolvers, but to an even
The pistol should be "field stripped" aftergreater extent. I have just finished
being fired. This, normally, means to removede-leading a revolver cylinder which showed
the barrel and the slide from the frame andsufficient pitting in the chamber areas that
separate the latter two so they may beI  would  not  consider  it  safe  to  fire.
cleaned individually. I normally field strip
my pistol and run a wet patch through theThere are a number of methods of de-leading
bore, then wire brush it using a rifle brush,that have been recommended over the years.
if possible (.45 rifle and .35 rifle brushesOne of the older ones is to fire several
are longer and have more bearing surface). Ijacketed bullets through the barrel to clean
then run another wet patch, followed by twoout the leading. This has a couple of
dry ones, followed by one having some form ofproblems. First, depending on how much lead
degreaser on it (alcohol, brake cleaner, carbis involved, pressures can be raised
cleaner, etc.) The barrel then goes to thesignificantly. This is particularly true in
de-leading process if lead bullets have beenthe magnum revolvers, but is also found in
fired. This will be covered below. After thenon-magnum revolvers and pistols. Secondly,
barrel is cleaned, or while it is beingmy tests indicate that what happens is the
de-leaded, I clean the inside of the slidelayer of lead is spread out, but not fully
and the upper and outer portions of theremoved. The clumps of lead are removed,
frame. This is normally done using wet andleaving a uniform layer spread through out
dry patches and Q-tips. Small scrapers may bethe bore. I do not recommend this procedure
used to remove some of the more heavily cakedbe  used.
powder residue such as builds up on the
breech face. Some prefer to use an old toothWire brushing has long been used to reduce
brush. Then, the bore of the barrel isleading. It is not effective. Any wire brush
lightly oiled (in very humid or saltythat will remove the leading can also damage
climates, use RIG lightly in the bore tothe non-leaded surfaces. This is particularly
prevent rusting) and the same patch is usedtrue  with  stainless  steel  brushes.
on the locking lugs of the barrel. The barrel
is re-assembled to the slide. One drop of oilLead removal cloths and patches, such as Wipe
goes on each rail of the frame forAway, seem to work, but can be time
lubrication. Too much oil can attract dustconsuming. So is J-B Bore cleaner. But, there
and dirt. The pistol is re-assembled and theis an easy way to remove lead. One that can
slide locked back. The area where the barrelbe working while you are cleaning the rest of
is hidden by the slide is then lightly oiledthe gun. That is the Outer's Foul Out system.
and the action cycled several times by hand.
Any excess oil at the rear of the slide andThe Outer's Foul Out II is a system I have
frame is wiped off, then a silicone cloth isbeen using for several years now. I have used
used to wipe down the gun. Once a month, anyit with both pistols and revolvers and find
pistol carried for self defense should beit to be as effective as any system I have
stripped fully and detail cleaned. Partsused. And much easier. To use it, you clean
should be inspected for wear or burrs, thenand degrease the barrel, put a rubber stopper
very lightly oiled and the pistol(supplied) into the end of the barrel, fill
re-assembled. In dusty or wet climates, youthe barrel with Lead Out solution, insert a
should detail strip the pistol more often.metal rod (having rubber O rings to prevent
Pistols which are blued and worn next to thecontact with the barrel) and attach the
body should be wiped off with a silicone ragmachine. It has a light that comes on when
each day to prevent rusting. ALWAYS UNLOAD Acleaning is taking place and another light
PISTOL  BEFORE  WIPING  IT  DOWN.that comes on when the process is finished. I
use a small vise to hold the barrel or
Revolvers are both easier and more difficultrevolver when being cleaned. Some form of
to clean. Easier because you do not have tostabilization is required to ensure the part
disassemble them for normal cleaning. Morebeing cleaned does not tip over and spill the
difficult because, if lead bullets have beensolvent out. When clean, you disassemble the
used, the cylinder must be removed from therig, pour out the solvent, remove the stopper
frame, stripped and de-leaded. You startand run a clean patch through the bore. It
cleaning by opening the cylinder to make surewill come out black from the powder fouling
it is unloaded. Then, run a wet patch throughthat was trapped under the leading. The rod
the barrel and each chamber of the cylinder.may have clumps of lead attached in severely
Run a pistol brush through the barrel and aleaded bores. This can be wiped off. The thin
rifle brush through each chamber. Run anotherlayer of lead on the rod may be sanded off
wet patch through the barrel and chambers,gently. After the bore has been cleaned, a
and clean the rear of the barrel and thethin  coat  of  oil or RIG should be applied.
standing breech (back area of the frame
behind the cylinder). Again a tooth brush mayWith revolvers, the cylinder should also be
be used to advantage. Then, dry the barrelcleaned. A great deal of lead builds up in
and chambers, run a slightly oily patchthe front portion of the chambers. This is
through them and wipe down the outside of theseldom removed properly and, over time,
revolver with a silicone cloth. Blued steelrusting can take place under the lead. To
revolvers should be wiped down daily if wornclean the cylinder properly requires it be
regularly. UNLOAD A REVOLVER BEFORE WIPING ITremoved from the revolver, stripped, cleaned
DOWN.with powder solvent, degreased, then each
chamber cleaned separately. This can be a
Cleaning  solvents  and  oilstime consuming process. On the revolver I
just cleaned, with years of accumulated
Almost any good cleaning solvent will workleading, it took a full day to clean some of
fine for removing powder residue. Thisthem. With two of the chambers, sufficient
includes the many "powder solvents" as wellpitting was found to make me doubt it would
as some non-traditional ones like brake andbe safe to shoot. The cost of purchasing a
carb cleaner. I have used Hoppe's Number 9new cylinder and fitting it is over half the
for almost 40 years with completevalue of the revolver. Far more expensive
satisfaction. I have also used Shooter'sthan a Foul Out II, AC adapter, and regular
Choice, etc. and do not have any realcleaning  would  be.
preference.  Hoppes  smells  better  to  me.
In the final analysis, proper cleaning of a
Any good quality gun oil will do fine underself defense pistol is an often overlooked
most circumstances. In certain cases, a lightrequirement. Proper care and cleaning will
teflon grease may work better on the rails ofboth protect your investment and may save
a pistol. In humid or salty climates, Rustyour life. Any pistol or revolver used for
Inhibiting Grease (RIG) works better toself defense must be practiced with regularly
protect the bore of a pistol or revolver (andand kept clean.
the chambers), but it must be a very light



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