The Basics of Cleaning Your Firearms

Cleaning a gun is a necessary evil for some and meditation for others. Some gun owners don’t ever plan to clean their gun, instead seeing it as a daunting task. So, if you need some direction on where to start, you’ve come to the right place.

Why and When To Clean Your Gun

Keeping your firearm clean should be seen as another way to practice gun safety. It also ensures that your probably not-so-cheap investment stays in good condition. A clean, lubed gun is a happy gun that’s less likely to fail or even break. Yes, guns still work dirty, however, it’s worth keeping up on occasional maintenance. It even helps you keep an eye on parts that may need replacing over time, such as your firing pin.

As for when to clean your gun, there really is no true answer. Every gun owner you ask from beginner to professional will likely give you a completely different answer. It depends on how much you shoot, how dirty your ammunition is, and what kind of gun it is. As a general rule, it’s probably a good idea to clean your gun annually, after heavy use, or before putting it into storage.

Safety first

Just because you’re off the range doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice basic gun safety. While cleaning, remember the basic rules:

Treat all guns as if they’re loaded.
Watch where your muzzle is pointed.
Keep your fingers off the trigger.
Know your target and what’s beyond it (if this one seems confusing, just remember you always need a safe, effective backstop, even when you’re about to disassemble your gun for cleaning)

The first step before you start should be to make sure that your gun is unloaded. This includes checking the chamber by examining it thoroughly by touch and visually, as well as making sure any magazines are empty.

hoppes lead cleaning wipes wiping off hands — Hoppe’s is one brand that offers lead-removing wipes which are essential when cleaning your gun. [Photo credit: Hoppe’s]

Also, if you didn’t already know, lead is bad for you. It’s important to understand that during this process you are definitely coming into contact with it in one form or another. So, clean your gun in a well-ventilated space, wear gloves, and consider keeping some lead-removing wipes nearby.

Prepare your space

If you don’t have a gun bench, choose a place with plenty of room, light, and airflow. Avoid any spaces that can’t handle some dirt and grime like any kind of antique or sentimental furniture. Make sure kids and animals stay away from your cleaning station because of the small parts and chemicals (unless, of course, you’re teaching your child about firearms, which is a whole different subject).

glock gun cleaning mat — TEKMAT creates gun cleaning mats with part references for specific guns, such as their Glock version. [Photo credit: TEKMAT]

Now, lay down either a cleaning mat or an old towel to protect the surface underneath. Some manufacturers even make mats with mini manuals or disassembled guns printed on them, which can come in handy. Make sure all your tools and cleaning supplies are laid out and a trash can (or other designated spot) is close by for used pads and cotton swabs.

Now, I hope you didn’t throw away the manual that came with your gun, because you might need it. Make sure you’ve read through it beforehand for specific instructions and tools you may need. If you did throw it away, you can likely find a digital copy online from the manufacturer, or even a helpful video from a trusted source on YouTube. If you’re a visual learner like me, a video may be nice to have in addition to a manual, so do some research if this is your first time with this gun.

Basic Gun Cleaning Supplies

hoppes cleaning kit — Most pre-made gun kits have enough to get you started. Many are custom-made to certain types of guns, so make sure you pick up the right one. [Photo credit: Hoppe’s]

Some guns may need specialized tools, so do your research. Many companies have pre-made cleaning kits that can be pretty helpful, but knowing the individual parts may help. Check this list for common supplies and some information on each item’s purpose:

Cotton swabs: Used to detail small parts of the gun gently.
Cotton pads: After being dipped in cleaning solvent and put on the end of a cleaning jag, these help clean the inside chambers and barrels (depending on the platform)
Cleaning brushes: These come in nylon, brass, and steel and each is used to clean different levels of grime on your gun
Bore brush: There are two types: bronze and nylon. Bronze is used to clean heavy carbon build-up in the barrel, while nylon is used for smaller crevices and delicate parts.
Cleaning rod: This is used to manipulate most brushes or other tools throughout the process so you can reach all the parts that need cleaning
Cleaning jag: Also known as a slotted patch holder, this is used to hold cotton patches to be run through chambers.
Luster cloth: A specialized pre-treated cloth best used to wipe down the outside of a gun.
Paper towels or shop rags: Somewhat self-explanatory, as they’re really just used as needed for various parts.
Gun oil/lubricant: Meant to be used after cleaning the gun to keep the gun lubricated, but remember, a little goes a long way.
Cleaning solvent: Used to clean gun parts thoroughly typically on cotton swaps and pads.

As for your tools for disassembly, you’ll likely need to have:

A gunsmithing screwdriver kit (it’s important the bits fit the specific parts precisely).
Non-marring hammer (nylon/brass ends).
Tweezers.
Allen/hex key set.
Pin punch set.
Depending on the gun, a vise can also come in handy. Some manufacturers such as Glock sell multi-tools made for their guns to minimize the tools needed and many 1911s come with basic items for disassembly.

Disassembly

disassembled pistol — ‘Field stripping’ is all that’s needed for casual cleaning, and more often than not it’s simpler than you’d think. [Photo credit: Kat Stevens]

Now that your space is prepared, and you’ve made sure the gun is unloaded (seriously, check!), it’s time to take your gun apart so you can reach all the individual parts and crevices. Once again, don’t forget safety during this process.

This is a highly specialized process for the gun you’re cleaning, so there’s no way I can explain how to do it in one article. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely and take pictures as you go so you won’t struggle when re-assembling. Though you should fully disassemble and inspect your gun annually, you’ll likely just need to field strip your gun and give it a basic cleaning. Only take apart what needs removing, and be gentle. And, of course, don’t be afraid of using other trusted resources such as videos or articles about the process if you need more explanations.

Cleaning and Lubricating

Though this is also specialized to your gun, there are general steps to take in cleaning and lubricating your gun.

First, moving from chamber to muzzle, push a solvent-soaked cotton pad on the end of a jag through the barrel and let the barrel sit off to the side. Let the wet bore sit for 10-15 minutes to help break down deposits if the buildup is extreme and the product calls for a wait time.

After some time has passed, run another cotton pad through like before. Follow up with a wet bore brush repeatedly to get out as much grime as possible. Wet the outside with solvent and use a cleaning brush to remove any powder fouling. Wipe the barrel with a few soaked cotton pads once again, before doing the same with dry pads until the barrel is completely dry.

Cleaning the rest of the gun typically consists of wiping off any brass or deposits with a paper towel or rag. Then, use appropriate brushes (nylon used most often) to knock stubborn grime loose. Solvent-soaked cotton swabs and tips are used for smaller parts and hard-to-reach areas. After using solvent, follow up with dry cotton swabs/pads until dry.

To ensure each part has been cleaned properly, wipe a dry cotton pad across the part and if it remains white, it’s done. This is similar to the white glove test. All parts should be clean of deposits, brass, dust, debris, and solvent when you’re done.

The final step is to use your favorite gun oil to lubricate your gun. The manufacturer will recommend exactly where and how much oil should be used, so check your manual. Be sure not to overdo it; using too much can make all that effort worth nothing since excess oil can attract more debris and fouling. A good rule of thumb is that lube or oil are for parts where there’s friction during use, usually metal on metal.

Reassemble

Following your manual and using any pictures taken for reference, reassemble your firearm and inspect each part throughout the process watching for missed spots, damage, and irregularities. Once reassembled, wipe down the outside with a luster cloth. Check basic functions of moving parts to ensure everything is working.

Dispose of all cotton swabs, pads, and paper towels used. Set any rags used aside and wipe down your cleaning station with lead-removing wipes to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Conclusion

cleaning a handgun — Understanding all the details can seem like a lot at first, but try not to be overwhelmed. [Photo credit: Kat Stevens]

Keep in mind that this article covers extreme basics and that each gun has more specific instructions you need to follow. Each gun is different and even with the best intentions a gun can be damaged if wrong steps are taken. Conversely, don’t be intimidated; cleaning your gun is easier than you think and gets easier with time.