| It seems that not everyone understands the | | | | coat to keep from increasing the pressures |
| importance of keeping their handguns clean | | | | when firing. I have used the various teflon |
| and well lubricated to insure proper | | | | containing oils (Tri-Flo and Breakfree) down |
| functioning. While this may have been | | | | to -20 deg. F when in Alaska. Some prefer to |
| understandable back in the days when the NRA | | | | degrease the pistols under these |
| 2700 was the primary match course, it is not | | | | circumstances and use graphite lubricant. I |
| today. Back then, the pistols were assembled | | | | never had a problem with the teflon oils |
| very tightly and frequent disassembly for | | | | under 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 reshoot | | | | Deleading |
| a string when you had a malfunction. This | | | | |
| does not happen in the more modern forms of | | | | Lead bullets are easy on the bore of the |
| competition. Neither does it happen in a | | | | pistol or revolver. But, they can leave lead |
| gunfight. A handgun must be kept clean and | | | | deposits behind. Even "full metal jacketed" |
| lubricated if it is to be relied on for self | | | | bullets 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 are | | | | bullets (about 5,000 rounds), when the barrel |
| revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. They | | | | was fully cleaned, there was excessive |
| have differing cleaning requirements. I will | | | | pitting 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" after | | | | greater extent. I have just finished |
| being fired. This, normally, means to remove | | | | de-leading a revolver cylinder which showed |
| the barrel and the slide from the frame and | | | | sufficient pitting in the chamber areas that |
| separate the latter two so they may be | | | | I would not consider it safe to fire. |
| cleaned individually. I normally field strip | | | | |
| my pistol and run a wet patch through the | | | | There 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 brushes | | | | One of the older ones is to fire several |
| are longer and have more bearing surface). I | | | | jacketed bullets through the barrel to clean |
| then run another wet patch, followed by two | | | | out the leading. This has a couple of |
| dry ones, followed by one having some form of | | | | problems. First, depending on how much lead |
| degreaser on it (alcohol, brake cleaner, carb | | | | is involved, pressures can be raised |
| cleaner, etc.) The barrel then goes to the | | | | significantly. This is particularly true in |
| de-leading process if lead bullets have been | | | | the magnum revolvers, but is also found in |
| fired. This will be covered below. After the | | | | non-magnum revolvers and pistols. Secondly, |
| barrel is cleaned, or while it is being | | | | my tests indicate that what happens is the |
| de-leaded, I clean the inside of the slide | | | | layer of lead is spread out, but not fully |
| and the upper and outer portions of the | | | | removed. The clumps of lead are removed, |
| frame. This is normally done using wet and | | | | leaving a uniform layer spread through out |
| dry patches and Q-tips. Small scrapers may be | | | | the bore. I do not recommend this procedure |
| used to remove some of the more heavily caked | | | | be used. |
| powder residue such as builds up on the | | | | |
| breech face. Some prefer to use an old tooth | | | | Wire brushing has long been used to reduce |
| brush. Then, the bore of the barrel is | | | | leading. It is not effective. Any wire brush |
| lightly oiled (in very humid or salty | | | | that will remove the leading can also damage |
| climates, use RIG lightly in the bore to | | | | the non-leaded surfaces. This is particularly |
| prevent rusting) and the same patch is used | | | | true with stainless steel brushes. |
| on the locking lugs of the barrel. The barrel | | | | |
| is re-assembled to the slide. One drop of oil | | | | Lead removal cloths and patches, such as Wipe |
| goes on each rail of the frame for | | | | Away, seem to work, but can be time |
| lubrication. Too much oil can attract dust | | | | consuming. So is J-B Bore cleaner. But, there |
| and dirt. The pistol is re-assembled and the | | | | is an easy way to remove lead. One that can |
| slide locked back. The area where the barrel | | | | be working while you are cleaning the rest of |
| is hidden by the slide is then lightly oiled | | | | the 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 and | | | | The Outer's Foul Out II is a system I have |
| frame is wiped off, then a silicone cloth is | | | | been using for several years now. I have used |
| used to wipe down the gun. Once a month, any | | | | it with both pistols and revolvers and find |
| pistol carried for self defense should be | | | | it to be as effective as any system I have |
| stripped fully and detail cleaned. Parts | | | | used. And much easier. To use it, you clean |
| should be inspected for wear or burrs, then | | | | and 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, you | | | | the 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 the | | | | contact with the barrel) and attach the |
| body should be wiped off with a silicone rag | | | | machine. It has a light that comes on when |
| each day to prevent rusting. ALWAYS UNLOAD A | | | | cleaning 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 difficult | | | | revolver when being cleaned. Some form of |
| to clean. Easier because you do not have to | | | | stabilization is required to ensure the part |
| disassemble them for normal cleaning. More | | | | being cleaned does not tip over and spill the |
| difficult because, if lead bullets have been | | | | solvent out. When clean, you disassemble the |
| used, the cylinder must be removed from the | | | | rig, pour out the solvent, remove the stopper |
| frame, stripped and de-leaded. You start | | | | and run a clean patch through the bore. It |
| cleaning by opening the cylinder to make sure | | | | will come out black from the powder fouling |
| it is unloaded. Then, run a wet patch through | | | | that 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 a | | | | leaded bores. This can be wiped off. The thin |
| rifle brush through each chamber. Run another | | | | layer 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 the | | | | thin coat of oil or RIG should be applied. |
| standing breech (back area of the frame | | | | |
| behind the cylinder). Again a tooth brush may | | | | With revolvers, the cylinder should also be |
| be used to advantage. Then, dry the barrel | | | | cleaned. A great deal of lead builds up in |
| and chambers, run a slightly oily patch | | | | the front portion of the chambers. This is |
| through them and wipe down the outside of the | | | | seldom removed properly and, over time, |
| revolver with a silicone cloth. Blued steel | | | | rusting can take place under the lead. To |
| revolvers should be wiped down daily if worn | | | | clean the cylinder properly requires it be |
| regularly. UNLOAD A REVOLVER BEFORE WIPING IT | | | | removed from the revolver, stripped, cleaned |
| DOWN. | | | | with powder solvent, degreased, then each |
| | | | chamber cleaned separately. This can be a |
| Cleaning solvents and oils | | | | time consuming process. On the revolver I |
| | | | just cleaned, with years of accumulated |
| Almost any good cleaning solvent will work | | | | leading, it took a full day to clean some of |
| fine for removing powder residue. This | | | | them. With two of the chambers, sufficient |
| includes the many "powder solvents" as well | | | | pitting was found to make me doubt it would |
| as some non-traditional ones like brake and | | | | be safe to shoot. The cost of purchasing a |
| carb cleaner. I have used Hoppe's Number 9 | | | | new cylinder and fitting it is over half the |
| for almost 40 years with complete | | | | value of the revolver. Far more expensive |
| satisfaction. I have also used Shooter's | | | | than a Foul Out II, AC adapter, and regular |
| Choice, etc. and do not have any real | | | | cleaning would be. |
| preference. Hoppes smells better to me. | | | | |
| | | | In the final analysis, proper cleaning of a |
| Any good quality gun oil will do fine under | | | | self defense pistol is an often overlooked |
| most circumstances. In certain cases, a light | | | | requirement. Proper care and cleaning will |
| teflon grease may work better on the rails of | | | | both protect your investment and may save |
| a pistol. In humid or salty climates, Rust | | | | your life. Any pistol or revolver used for |
| Inhibiting Grease (RIG) works better to | | | | self defense must be practiced with regularly |
| protect the bore of a pistol or revolver (and | | | | and kept clean. |
| the chambers), but it must be a very light | | | | |