Should i clean my gun after every use, even though i will use it again tomorrow?

Question

i am currently under training (rapid response) and although this is what i am told, i am so beat when i come home, the least i want is to clean it, to use it again tomorrow!

Answer 1

The more you clean it, the better it will function. It's up to you how often you clean it.

Answer 2

do you want it to work properly tomorrow or jam? In order to keep your weapon in proper working order you should keep it clean and properly lubricated...

Answer 3

I clean after every range session.

In the field you may not always have the luxury of a full clean and strip but you might be able to mitigate a little with some lube and a boresnake if you're on the go.

Good luck

Kurdis

Answer 4

I assume by 'rapid response' that it's law enforcement.  In that case, are you kidding me?  You have to do all you can to make sure your weapons are 100% ready to go.

And don't think "it's just training" - half-assed training leads to half-assed results.  If you do it now and get away with it, you'll almost certainly do it later, when lives are on the line.

Answer 5

Definitely clean it after every use. I know a lot about guns and if you don't clean it and somehow there's something in the barrel it can s***w up the firing  mechanism or if it blocked to a certain degree the bullet can actually backfire, I have herd a lot of stories of this happening to people and they end up with a bullet in their chest or their shoulder.

Answer 6

I like to keep in the habit of cleaning my guns after using them, especially my shotguns

Answer 7

Do you feel better after a shower?

So does you firearm.

(don't take it in the shower with you)

Answer 8

I clean mine twice a season and I have knocked out more wild game than most on here.  My 870 shotgun has been cleaned 3-4 times in it's 10 year existence.  Never has it jammed and I average 250-300 ducks per year.  I am not advocating keeping a nasty gun, I am just letting you know how I roll.  Obviously a rifle or an automatic shotgun requires more attention than a pump.

Answer 9

I know Brianna, but really, you should clean it so it won't malfunction tomorrow.  I was in my early Forties when I took the SAPP course and you did get home dead-dog tired.  But we would clean & lube our guns before leaving the range and guess what, mine never did malfunction.

H

Answer 10

If you don't clean it everyday, c**p will just accumulate in it each time, making it less useful and harder to clean with every passing day.

Answer 11

Modern high power rifles or pistols shooting jacketed bullets will not necessarily need cleaning under the circumstances that you mentioned.  If you spend several days at the range firing lots of ammo, you will have to clean your weapon.  They do eventually get dirty and this will affect the accuracy.  Okay, now that I have told you that you do not necessarily need to clean your weapon daily, that doesn't take into account any instruction from your instructor to the contrary.  If he/she tells you to clean it every day.......well, what can I say......you clean it every day if you know what is good for you.  They may not always be right but odds are that you had darned well better act as if they are right.

Answer 12

No. I never do, unless I used corrosive ammo then I have no choice but to clean it unless I want my bore to corrode. If a gun has to be cleaned every single time you use it then it isn't a very good gun in my opinion. Maybe I'm just lazy. LoL

Answer 13

You should clean it eevery now and then but i dont beleive you have to clean it after every use. To tell you the truth i just cleaned my Remington 20 gauge for the first time today and it still shoots fine. Iv had it for 5 years and shot it a few tousand times. If your shooting in muggy weather or its damp out then you should not put it directly into the case and lock it because it can cause the gun to rust.

Answer 14

cleaning it...maybe / maybe not

But if you are shooting a semi-auto you should lube the slide at least every other  day to prevent jams etc.

I clean mine thoroughly after every 3rd time at the range, but I lube the slide every time.

Answer 15

NO.* unless you fired 1500 rounds through it.*

Answer 16

Yes.

Answer 17

That is a matter of preference provided you are shooting modern smokeless powder.

Having said that I clean mine after ever two outings where I acutely fire the gun. Some of the pros like Rod Lathem say they clean their competition guns about every tow or three thousand rounds. That tells me that it's not necessary but cleaning and inspecting is FUN.

Answer 18

after pumping 500+ rounds per day through it, yes you should definitely clean your gun.

Answer 19

What are you complaining about. A job that pays you to waste free rounds into a target is a great job. I'd swap with you anyday and yes you should clean you weapon as often as you can to prevent any dangers to yourself or the people around you.

Answer 20

It depends on how many shots you will be taking each tim eyou bring it out to shoot. I usually clean my shotgun barrel once a week. I go on Saturday morning and shoot 2 rounds of trap (100 rounds) and then on Monday I shoot in a league for me local area (another 100 rounds). After I get done there I head home disassemble the gun and clean and re-lubricate all moving parts. Soap and water is fine for anything in the action as long as you lubricate when done. Soap and water is fine also for the barrel as well (only do this on extremely neglected barrels) but make sure to use "bore butter" afterwards as well as a regular cleaning solvent. Do not fire without adding the bore butter and/or solvent. Once you have cleaned you firearm remember that your first shot will be off due to the excess solvent or lubrication you have added. Typical rounds nowdays are jacketed to add to the effectivness of the round but they also serve to protect the barrel from the extra wear that repeated fire of a normal lead or soft round would cause. Lead rounds deposit alot of residue in the barrel and this build-up can cause a good deal of damage to the barrel. Good Luck!

                                     Casey

Answer 21

You don't mention the firearm. But yes, that's a good amount of ammo, range dirt and carbon build up...It could probably use it.