How often should I clean my gun?

It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it.

I am asked ” how often should I clean my gun, and how can I learn how to do it?”

Well, it depends.

The best place to start is by reading your owner’s manual, it will give you a lot of information on the proper care and feeding of your gun, what type of ammo it should or should not have, (maybe +P is too hot a round for your gun, you should know). All new guns come with an owner’s manual, and if perhaps you cannot locate it or if perhaps it was a gun that was inherited while ago, you can write to the manufacturer or go online and find it to download. As a matter of fact, I just purchased a Ruger Pre-Warning 3-Screw Single-Six 22 LR WMR Revolver at a Gunshop and since it was used it did not come with an owner’s manual, just out of curiosity I went to Ruger’s website and sent them an email, lo and behold about w week later I received one in the mail. Many newer owner’s manuals also have websites to direct you to that will give you a lot of great information about your gun and also how to clean it. Another thing you can do is simply ask when you buy the gun, ” can you show me how to clean this gun, and make a video, its usually not too daunting a task.  So how often? What is the recommendation per your manual?

Some guns, especially long guns may have a break in period for a particular barrel, some you may want to clean before using.

If you will be storing your gun for a while and not use it, you will want to clean it and lubricate it, the “fun guns” you take to the range may go a bit longer, but your everyday carry gun should get extra love and attention, and get cleaned often as it is most probably on your body in a holster and gets exposed to weather, oil, sweat etc. 

As always first make sure it is pointed in a safe direction, carefully unload the gun while following all the firearm safety rules, take any ammo away and into another room, wear protective glasses, and don’t allow interruptions so you can focus on your task, look for wear, rust, broken parts. 

A clean gun is a happy gun.