*UPDATED*
I know there has been some discussion about gun cleaning previously on this forum. I did a search and read a couple of threads, but they mostly discussed Break-Free CLP.
My collection mostly contains Hoppe's products I can find at Academy Sports or Wal-Mart, although I occasionally experiment with products others have recommended.
I have quite a collection of the following;
- No. 9 Solvent
- Lubricating Oil with Weatherguard
- Foaming Bore Cleaner
- MOLY Oil
- BoreSnakes for each Caliber
I clean after nearly every range session. The only time I don't clean immediately afterward is if I know I will be going to the range again within a few days (one week max).
My cleaning routine has basically been as follows;
- Field strip & wipe all parts down with a clean cloth. I usually use plain old white undershirts or, more recently, a box of plain white cotton rags from Lowe's (like painters use).
- Use a can of compressed air to "blow out" any dust and/or debris from all parts.
- Dip a brass/nylon brush in No. 9 and scrub the inside of the barrel thoroughly.
- Use No. 9 soaked patches to further scrub the barrel, followed by dry patches until they come out clean.
- Run a BoreSnake through the barrel a few times, this time applying a couple of drops of MOLY Oil.
- Use an old toothbrush dipped in No. 9 to clean anything I can get to.
- Use No. 9 soaked patches to wipe down all metal parts (including magazines). On the Glocks I usually wipe down the area near the end of the barrel where the crud builds up too. [I am thinking of switching to small sponges for this step.]
- Wipe off excess solvent with a clean cloth.
- Apply a very small amount of MOLY Oil where the slide moves along the frame & on any other moving parts.
- Reassemble and work the slide several times, including dry firing, to further distribute the lube.
- Wipe off excess lube with a clean cloth.
I just purchased the Foaming Bore Cleaner and have not used it yet. I probably have 3 bottles of the Lubricating Oil with Weatherguard but haven't used it yet either. I will likely only use the Foaming Bore Cleaner occasionally, after a long range session or maybe for once per year deep cleaning. I think I might start applying Lubricating Oil with Weatherguard after wiping down all surfaces with the No. 9 Solvent.
Now, here are my questions.
1. Does this sound like an adequate cleaning? I am not really comfortable disassembling my pistols any further at this time.
2. Should MOLY Oil or Lube be applied anywhere else?
3. Are there any of these products I should eliminate from the process? Are there any products I should add to the process?
4. I hear people saying they use Break-Free CLP for everything. I have also heard people say they use No. 9 for everything. What gives? Am I better of with different products for different uses or just using one product for everything? Which to choose?
FYI Hoppe's has a basic Guide to Gun Care.pdf available for viewing and/or downloading on their website. It has some good information, but is really just a marketing tool.
I know there has been some discussion about gun cleaning previously on this forum. I did a search and read a couple of threads, but they mostly discussed Break-Free CLP.
My collection mostly contains Hoppe's products I can find at Academy Sports or Wal-Mart, although I occasionally experiment with products others have recommended.
I have quite a collection of the following;
- No. 9 Solvent
- Lubricating Oil with Weatherguard
- Foaming Bore Cleaner
- MOLY Oil
- BoreSnakes for each Caliber
I clean after nearly every range session. The only time I don't clean immediately afterward is if I know I will be going to the range again within a few days (one week max).
My cleaning routine has basically been as follows;
- Field strip & wipe all parts down with a clean cloth. I usually use plain old white undershirts or, more recently, a box of plain white cotton rags from Lowe's (like painters use).
- Use a can of compressed air to "blow out" any dust and/or debris from all parts.
- Dip a brass/nylon brush in No. 9 and scrub the inside of the barrel thoroughly.
- Use No. 9 soaked patches to further scrub the barrel, followed by dry patches until they come out clean.
- Run a BoreSnake through the barrel a few times, this time applying a couple of drops of MOLY Oil.
- Use an old toothbrush dipped in No. 9 to clean anything I can get to.
- Use No. 9 soaked patches to wipe down all metal parts (including magazines). On the Glocks I usually wipe down the area near the end of the barrel where the crud builds up too. [I am thinking of switching to small sponges for this step.]
- Wipe off excess solvent with a clean cloth.
- Apply a very small amount of MOLY Oil where the slide moves along the frame & on any other moving parts.
- Reassemble and work the slide several times, including dry firing, to further distribute the lube.
- Wipe off excess lube with a clean cloth.
I just purchased the Foaming Bore Cleaner and have not used it yet. I probably have 3 bottles of the Lubricating Oil with Weatherguard but haven't used it yet either. I will likely only use the Foaming Bore Cleaner occasionally, after a long range session or maybe for once per year deep cleaning. I think I might start applying Lubricating Oil with Weatherguard after wiping down all surfaces with the No. 9 Solvent.
Now, here are my questions.
1. Does this sound like an adequate cleaning? I am not really comfortable disassembling my pistols any further at this time.
2. Should MOLY Oil or Lube be applied anywhere else?
3. Are there any of these products I should eliminate from the process? Are there any products I should add to the process?
4. I hear people saying they use Break-Free CLP for everything. I have also heard people say they use No. 9 for everything. What gives? Am I better of with different products for different uses or just using one product for everything? Which to choose?
FYI Hoppe's has a basic Guide to Gun Care.pdf available for viewing and/or downloading on their website. It has some good information, but is really just a marketing tool.