Did I damage my gun?

Question

I just got my first gun (a .45 Springfield XD Tactical) about a month ago and took it to the range and put about 100 rounds through it. I took it home and cleaned it but about a week and a half later I felt that I hadn't done a good job cleaning it so I took it out and cleaned it again getting more black residue off of it. Last week I bought some Rem Oil (it was a pain in the butt trying to get the squirt oil that came with my cleaning kit to be evenly distributed over the patch for barrel cleaning so I wanted a spray) and I cleaned my gun for the third time yesterday, this time getting off even more black and brown residue than my original cleaning almost a month ago! My question is did I damage my gun by leaving so much residue on it for about a month? My gun is now 100 percent free of any residue (it is supposed to be cleaned that thoroughly right)? I've cleaned other people's rifles before with spray solvents (like Rem Oil) and always done a fine job.

Answer 1

you most likely did not damage your gun. primarily for two reasons: 1) its a XD, very durable gun. 2) though it was a month later, you did get off all the residue which means no permanent damage was done to the metal of the gun.

as some of the other answerer's have said that the residue build up is natural and won't hurt the gun is true, its not in the best of interest, unless you really do not care for the gun, or will not depend on it for emergency use (like home defense). a clean gun is dependable. take note that not only the burnt powder may build up. dust and sand can also collect within the joints of a gun. a grain of sand just like sandpaper can (maybe not damage or destroy the gun) leave some nasty scratched that may be unsightly. especially along the moving slide.

sorry for the lengthy answer, but hope this helps  

Answer 2

I have guns that I have not cleaned in years that still function flawlessly

Answer 3

That's a good job.  

Generally I clean my gun when I finish shooting and then I will clean 2 more times about one week later after each cleaning, for a total of 3 cleanings.  The first cleaning I use a solvent to remove carbon fouling.  The second time I use a cleaner for copper fouling.  The thrid I use a little Hoppes 9 and then run an oiled patch down the bore and call it done.

Answer 4

No, you didn't hurt anything.  100 rounds is not going to mess your pistol up too bad.  You probably still had some residue from the factory as well.  You did a good job cleaning the gun, so just keep up the good work.  I would suggest using BreakFree as a cleaner instead.  Check your manufacturers recommendations, but BreakfFee is used by the military and many police agencies.  It cleans well and doesn't leave a thick, oily residue.  I've used both solvents with good results. I have several friends in Special Forces, and they only  use BreakFree.

If you are still worried about it, ask a gunsmith and show him the weapon.

Excellent choice on the caliber, too.  

Answer 5

Nah, you did good. Always keep it clean and you'll enjoy it for yrs to come with no jams

Answer 6

You are going to wear it out cleaning it, instead of shooting it.*

Answer 7

Not at all.  You'll get better at it each time you clean it and do a better job.  By the way, use a powder solvent rather than oil to clean you gun especially the inside of the bore.  Hoppe's #9 solvent works very well.

H

Answer 8

The high gas pressures of burning powder created when ammunition is fired in a weapon will actually force gasses into the barrel surface, which will then be released again over time. This has no detrimental effect on the gun, and occurs in ALL firearms.

In the Corps, we had to clean our issued rifles at least once a month, whether they were fired or not, even though they were stored in climate controlled armory buildings. We would get the same type of residue with multiple cleanings, even though the rifles were only fired on their annual trips to the range for re-quals.

I clean all my weapons with the same regularity, whether I shoot them every week, or just a few times a year.

Answer 9

You're fine. If you said there's none left, it shouldn't be a problem, right?

Answer 10

It shouldn't mess up.  The gun should still fire like new.  Automatics are touchy guns they are very difficult.  This is not your fault.  Their should be no damage.

Answer 11

you may think I am only a kid, but I know more than guns than you do, so what I will say is, when you go to the range and shoot 100 rounds, you get the gun all dirty with the  smoke from the recoil of the gun, and I wouldn't spend all that time cleaning it. The residue, actually isn't that harmful to the gun, because it got there naturally. It can;t hurt the gun, but it wouldn't hurt to clean it and get the residue off. And if you ever consider reloading your empty rounds, I reload with my dad, and when you buy 45 bullets, they have 5.0 grains of smokeless gunpowder, and if you reload the empty brass with 4.7 grains, it doesn't kick as much or give as much recoil. Glad to know that this might have helped.

Answer 12

No you have not damaged anything assuming you were shooting modern commercial ammunition.

I have guns I have never cleaned. Not recommended , but there have been no adverse effects so far. ( The 2 I never clean are both AK's, and not used for anything but range toys where dependability is not an issue., most guns will start to jam if you don't clean them eventually)

BTW, I have the best luck with Hoppe's (and it smells so damned good)