Gun Maintenance: Steps To Keep The Firearms In Top Condition

Gun maintenance is an important aspect of gun safety. A clean and lubricated gun functions smoothly and is unlikely to discharge without warning. Other than exposure to dirt and dust, the gunpowder and bullet fragments collect in your magazine and barrel. This sediment can jam the gun after continuous rounds at the gun range in Florida. It can also cause a safety mechanism to malfunction and explode without warning. To prevent this, you need to maintain your gun regularly after your session ends. The steps are simple and more or less the same for all models with a few variations. Here’s what you need for proper firearms maintenance.

Gun Cleaning Kit
Before you start the maintenance process, you need to gather the proper tools for the task. You can get the complete kit or individual tools at a sporting good store nearby. The tools that you need for the job are lubricants, bore brush, patch holder, patches, cleaning rod, nylon cleaning brush, cotton swab, microfiber cloth/flannel cloth and cleaning agents. Once you assemble the required tools, it’s time to get started. You can use a barrel snake or ultrasonic cleaner to simplify the process.

Before Starting Maintenance
Lubricants and fumes from the gun and maintenance kit can be noxious. Find a place with good ventilation and keep the windows open so that the scent will dissipate after you’re done. Cover the floor with scrap newspaper and plastic covers to prevent staining it.

Gun Maintenance Steps
Once you return from the gun range in Florida, you need to follow the steps below:

1. Unload The Gun: There should be no bullets in your magazine during the maintenance process. Even switching the safety on is not enough as you may hit the barrel and cause an accidental discharge. Remove all the ammo from your gun. Check the barrel from behind for any leftover ammo. Do not check from the front as the gun may misfire and injure you.
2. Clean The Rounds & Magazine: Use cleaning agents to brush the magazine’s ejector and extractor. Lubricate it and then dry it off with patches. Clean the bullets as well.
3. Disassemble Your Gun: Not completely. Only as much as is required. Revolvers and shotguns may not need stripping. Rifles and pistols are stripped to their magazine, barrel, slide, etc. Read the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Clean The Barrel: Soak the brush with a cleaning agent and run it down the barrel from through the muzzle a few times. Let the solvent sit for ten to fifteen minutes until it dissolves the gunk inside. Use the brush to scrub the barrel clean by pushing the gunk down the barrel and out of the muzzle ten times or so. Then run a few patches soaked in solvent down to push excess carbon out. Repeat the process until the swabs are no longer black. Replace the patch each time.
5. Lubricate The Barrel: Apply a little lubricant to a cloth. Wrap it around the cleaning rod and run it through the barrel to create a light coating.
6. Clean & Lubricate The Action: Apply a cleaning agent to the brush and use it to clean the action. Wipe it with a clean cloth. Then apply a small amount of lubricant to the action’s moving parts. Don’t use too much or it will attract dirt.
7. Wipe The Gun: Use a clean flannel cloth pretreated with a silicone lubricant to wipe the gun. This will remove leftover gunk and add shine.
8. Reassemble & Dry-Fire: Reassemble all the parts and dry-fire to check if all parts are working properly. Do not load any ammo during this step.
9. Store The Gun: Use a soft or hard gun case to protect it. Keep it in a cool dry place out of the reach of children.

These steps apply to all types of guns with some variation based on the model. Be sure to read the manual for any steps or precautions specific to your model.