Guide For Discovering Should You Clean Your Gun After Each Use, Plus Top 3 Gun Cleaning Kits in 2024
Of course, it is understandable that you are concerned about how to clean and maintain your gun efficiently because it is not cheap for you to let it get damaged with dirt-related functionality issues, right?
Luckily, you can find here that answer in your concern of should you clean your gun after each use with the guide here. To give you a hint, among the determining factors that can help you decide how frequently you should clean your gun is the type of ammunition you are using— but before discovering all of them, it is better to know the significant reasons you should practice regular gun cleaning. Hence, let’s not waste any time and get started now.
Interestingly, the process of gun firing is extremely dirty, to begin with. In particular, even just firing one or two shots can already produce an evident amount of firing residue on the barrel and other gun parts. With that topic, you may wonder whether should you clean your gun after each use as a way to maintain its optimal condition and superior performance. Of course, it is understandable that you are concerned about how to clean and maintain your gun efficiently because it is not cheap for you to let it get damaged with dirt-related functionality issues, right?
Luckily, you can find here that answer in your concern of should you clean your gun after each use with the guide here. To give you a hint, among the determining factors that can help you decide how frequently you should clean your gun is the type of ammunition you are using— but before discovering all of them, it is better to know the significant reasons you should practice regular gun cleaning. Hence, let’s not waste any time and get started now.
Why You Should Practice Regular Gun Cleaning
Initially, gun cleaning might come to you as a task you must complete. However, you will realize later that it is a solution to keep your gun with you for longer, eliminating any dirt-related functionality issue caused by firing residues. In particular, it will feel more like a beneficial duty rather than dull work. To defend that, here are the most significant benefits that gun cleaning can help you with:
Learn more about how your gun works
Even though you may not have the burning desire to learn about the exact mechanism that makes a bullet leave the chamber out of your gun, it is still useful to be hands-on in gun cleaning to learn how your gun works. At the very least, you will discover how the gun parts interact with one another. Of course, as a designed machine, a gun will surely work for anyone who knows how to use it.
Moreover, some guns are built with more complicated ergonomics. For that reason, if you have a more complex gun, making regular detailed cleaning a habit will help you be more acquainted with your gun. Worry not because regular cleaning doesn’t mean you will be an all-out gunsmith. In fact, what you will learn more about is how often you should clean your gun and the particular parts where firing residue and contaminants gather the most.
Avoid major issues
Gun cleaning habits can be a regular relaxing routine to ease your worries about major gun issues. See, when you fire your gun, the process includes the primer igniting a fire, which then ignites the gunpowder. After that, the ignition is then produced gas in the cartridge or shell, which forces the bullet out of the barrel. As already mentioned above, gun firing is an extremely dirty process. Unfortunately, it is the truth because the burning gunpowder, primer, and gas pressure leave behind a firing residue or fouling that requires cleaning.
If left uncleaned, this firing residue will be more stubborn to remove, resulting in dirt-related functionality issues. With that being said, you and your gun will suffer in decreased accuracy and safety. Rather than wait for the firing residue to cause destructive outcomes to your gun, it is best to work on the preventive measures to keep your gun healthy: simple and regular cleaning.
Of course, practicing frequent gun cleaning can help you avoid several major gun issues, primarily caused by the dirt of firing residues and contaminants. Among the top problems is rusting— the corrosive ammunition remnants mainly generate it. There’s no good in keeping rust on your gun parts because it causes deterioration and decreased performance.
Aside from rusting, cleaning your gun after each use can also help you eliminate the chance of residual fouling build-up from gunpowder remnants. Without this major issue, you won’t have to deal with precision and reliability difficulties anymore. On the other hand, you won’t also need to be stressed about failure to fire because it only happens primarily when your gun has already had enough residue build-up. After all, there will be no residue build-up on your gun with frequent cleaning, right?
There’s no doubt that when your gun is spotlessly clean from firing residue and contaminants, you won’t have to fear experiencing any major issue from dirt-related functionality problems. Gun cleaning is a practical and easy solution if you want to keep a functioning gun with you for a longer time.
Preserve longevity
Initially, guns are built to last for a long time, thanks to their top-notch materials and designs. However, their lifespan starts to vary, depending on how their owners treat and take care of them. Now, with your gun, you can preserve its longevity by simply maintaining a regular proper cleaning. As simple as that, you can have a working gun that can last for generations and not just years.
Have you ever seen gun owners who use their grandfather’s gun? More often, the gun lasted for so long because the past owner took care of it with regular proper cleaning. Obviously, old guns that are properly cared for will not look filthy even though they are not in the best and most impressive condition. In comparison, old guns are better to choose than new yet filthy neglected guns.
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend anything huge just to preserve your gun’s longevity— just make sure to make it a habit of proper cleaning, oiling, and storing your gun. Keep in mind that some guns need extra attention and care, such as those with wooden inserts, handles, or stocks. More importantly, one thing that can ensure that you will do an excellent job with gun maintenance tasks is to use the best and most dependable gun cleaning supplies.
Ensure ideal reliability and safety
After your shooting session, the firing residue left on your gun is already evident, especially if you are involved in an intense shooting. With that, it gives you more reason to clean the remnants out of your gun. Interestingly, when your gun is free from any bad contaminants that can impact its performance, you can ensure the ideal reliability and safety, just like you want it to be. There are no complicated requirements; only proper and regular cleaning is the key to having your gun’s optimal condition in reliability and safety.
Discover the proper lubrication process
While practicing regular gun cleaning, you will also discover the proper lubrication process as part of overall maintenance. The more thorough and hands-on you are, the more you will learn about the balance of utilizing lubrication. It is possible because gun cleaning covers remove dirty lubricant and replace it, making cleaning guns more important.
Now that it is clear that gun cleaning is highly beneficial, from helping you avoid major gun issues, preserving its longevity, and even making it aesthetically pleasing, let’s dive into discovering should you clean your gun after each use. Read on to know more.
Discovering Should You Clean Your Gun After Each Use
Generally, you must consider different things before knowing if you should clean your gun after each use. Significant factors that you need to assess are the type of your gun, age, type of ammunition, and how intense you are shooting your gun. By that, you won’t be lost with the frequency of gun cleaning sessions that you must have.
Let’s start discussing the ammunition. Since there are many types of ammunition, let’s first discover the worst, which is the corrosive ones. Corrosive ammunition utilizes a primer. When ignited, it leaves out residue on many gun parts after firing. Given that, it makes you clean your gun more regularly. Luckily, most modern ammunition is not corrosive, so they are more manageable.
Moreover, there are two popular primers: Boxer and Berdan primed ammo. In particular, they present different features, making them distinct from one another. First, the Boxer primed ammo is considered among the most famous and widely used primes in today’s time. In fact, a great number of civilian and military ammunition utilizes it.
Additionally, not all boxer primed ammo you will come across with are corrosive. It is often the surplus ammunition that you will find as corrosive ones. That’s the primary reason why most indoor shooters prefer the Boxer primer with the brass casings. Remember that you can be fine with this primer if you are not using surplus ammo.
On the other hand, the Berdan primed ammo is technically non-USA ammunition. Yet, it is made in the USA. What makes it an ideal option is its quality of being non-corrosive. So, there’s no high and strict requirement about cleaning. Meanwhile, today’s most available primers are Lead Styphnate based.
What is good with the Lead Styphnate based primers is that they don’t leave much firing residue on guns. With that being said, you don’t have much to worry about putting into strict practice cleaning your gun after each use. Nevertheless, running a gun cleaning rod with a cleaning patch attached with some gun cleaning solvent into your gun bore for impressive gun cleaning remains a good idea.
Besides gun cleaning rods and brushes, you can utilize a bore snake kit for immediate and quick gun cleaning, even at the shooting range. Now, should you clean your gun after each use? Undeniably, it is good to practice gun cleaning after each use because of the high benefits. However, it doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to practice cleaning your gun five minutes after using it. The truth is even cleaning your gun after a week of use is still fine and acceptable.
Top 3 Gun Cleaning Kits for Efficient Gun Cleaning
Of course, there’s no use to clean your gun after each use if you are working with the wrong gun cleaning supplies. To avoid that, be inspired by the universal gun cleaning kits that can help you achieve efficient gun cleaning:
1. Allen Company Universal Gun Cleaning Kit
Surely, nothing beats a professional-grade cleaning kit. If you like cleaning your gun after each use, you can make the most of it because all the cleaning tools are high quality for a long-lasting lifespan. To reach that ultimate and detailed gun cleaning advantage, you can trust the Allen Company Universal Gun Cleaning Kit to do the job right.
What makes this kit impressive and superior is its 65-piece of assorted and essential gun cleaning items. It is a practical kit if you own a huge firearm collection, including shotgun, handgun, and rifle, because it can be your all-in-one cleaning kit, saving you from buying cleaning supplies individually.
You might think that 65-piece cleaning supplies might be too much to handle. Worry not about them because they are neatly organized in a heavy-duty gun cleaning box with many slots for easy tools arranging. The cleaning components included in the set are bronze brushes, cleaning brushes, cotton swabs, brass jags, muzzle guards, picks, brass slotted tips, and many more.
Although the Allen Company Universal Gun Cleaning Kit is designed for maximum durability, you will still find it highly affordable because it offers pretty much everything. In particular, it can be your one-time purchase of a professional-grade cleaning kit that has lots of spacious room for other cleaning items you will buy later on.
2. FIREGEAR Gun Cleaning Kit Universal Supplies
The FIREGEAR Gun Cleaning Kit is another greatly popular universal gun cleaning kit that will always be in demand. What makes it ideal is it is more compact and lightweight. In fact, it can be your to-go kit to bring outdoors to attain immediate cleaning of your gun after each use. Of course, there’s a reason why this kit is lightweight. Well, it doesn’t provide additional room for other cleaning items that you might buy later on.
In particular, there’s no space for huge gun cleaning solvent in the FIREGEAR Gun Cleaning Kit. That’s why after buying your cleaning solvent, you need to transfer some into the small bottle provided. Otherwise, the whole bottle won’t fit, and you won’t have a cleaning solvent to use. Since there is no perfect cleaning kit, you need to manage some flaws.
Truly, the FIREGEAR Gun Cleaning Kit is meant to carry outdoors because of its carrying design. By using it, you can keep any gun in optimal condition. Also, it is suitable for cleaning rifles, shotguns, and pistols with its assorted cleaning accessories, such as cleaning rods, slotted patch loops, brass brushes, bore mops— check everything included in the set and see if it fits your gun cleaning needs by exploring the link below.
3. Otis Technologies FG-1000 Elite Cleaning System
If you want a universal cleaning kit complete with essential gun cleaning components you need from tools to lubricant and CLP, try out the Otis Technologies FG-1000 Elite Cleaning System. It is highly innovative for excellent gun care with Breech-to-Muzzle cleaning. Amazingly, it will come in handy for cleaning muzzleloaders, rifles, shotguns, and pistols.
Moreover, it is manageable to carry outdoors, thanks to its nylon bag with a carry handle. Since it is an innovative model, this cleaning system doesn’t include traditional cleaning rods. Instead, it comes with memory flex cables. Joining the set are other items, such as bore brushes, chamber and all-purpose brushes, cotton patches, chamber flags, and many more— you can see the complete list by checking out the product link below.
What makes the Otis Technologies FG-1000 Elite Cleaning System extra special is that it includes a pre-packed tactical cleaning kit if you want the most compact and lightweight cleaning set to carry. Besides that, the product is also jam-packed with a maintenance toolset. With that in mind, you can get the most out of your investment by having it because it can help you clean your guns to preserve their best working condition.
If the Otis Technologies FG-1000 Elite Cleaning System fits your needs and preferences, you know that it is worthy of trying it out. So, check it out if it captures your interest. After all, it will not waste your time seeing an innovative cleaning set.
Suppose you like to see more compact gun cleaning kits. You have nothing to worry about because you can see more of the best gun cleaning kits by clicking here. It is useful because you can also learn the functions of each essential cleaning supply. Perhaps, you are also interested in bore snake kits since they can help you with immediate and fast cleaning with no required disassembling process. Lucky you, you can find the best bore snake kits here.
Other Useful Gun Cleaning Supplies
Want to achieve a more convenient and comfortable gun cleaning experience? Then, make sure to equip yourself with other useful gun cleaning supplies that include:
- Disposable gloves
While ensuring that your gun can have efficient cleaning, you also need to ensure that you are not getting the firing residue and dirt on your hands. For that reason, disposable gloves can be extremely useful for you. You can keep your hands mess-free from the cleaning solvents and oils by wearing these gloves. Hence, nothing can bother and irritate your hands for less clean-up.
At the same time, you can also protect your gun by preventing accidental scratches by wearing disposable gloves. Generally, you can stay hygienic and clean by using gloves. So, get the Black Vinyl Disposable Gloves that offer stretch, comfortability, and great grip advantages here.
- Flashlight
If you have a small flashlight, you can make gun cleaning more convenient since it is another handy tool for your needs. It is useful to see the real condition of your gun and notice the specific parts where you suspect more residue and contaminants build-up. By holding it close to your gun, you can see any hidden dirt that you can miss without proper lighting.
- Gun Vise
A gun vise is a handy tool useful in proper and stable cleaning. Basically, you can free your hands to attain a quicker and more steady cleaning by mounting your gun on it. Technically, this tool is primarily designed for rifles. Nevertheless, it can accommodate other guns too.
- Gun Cleaning Table
As the name suggests, a gun cleaning table seems like a typical table where you put things for neat organization. The table of guns is like that too, except it is highly compact and lightweight to bring outdoors without experiencing hassle. Conclusively, you don’t have to stress yourself finding a decent outdoor cleaning station by bringing your gun cleaning table.
- Gun Cleaning Mat
Feeling frustrated about the cleaning mess when applying cleaning solvents? Don’t worry about that because the gun cleaning mat can aid with your needs. You can have a protective cover to control any possible mess by utilizing it. At the same time, you can also use the gun mat to keep cleaning tools organized. Generally, it can help you stay clean and create less mess.
More Helpful Tips About Gun Cleaning
Now that you know that a regular gun cleaning session is a great practice, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be as strict as gun cleaning after each use. Here are the other helpful tips that you can follow for efficient gun cleaning, aside from using the best gun cleaning accessories:
- Finding a good place for cleaning is a must
A good place is a solid and sturdy surface is the key for convenient and comfortable gun cleaning. That’s why a gun cleaning table and mat would work nicely for your needs. In addition, a good cleaning place also means that you will work in a well-ventilated and spacious space.
- When disassembling your gun, follow as recommended.
If you want to achieve a more detailed gun cleaning, disassembling your gun is the key factor to that. Now, to ensure success with field stripping, be sure to follow the manuals given by the gun manufacturer to know the proper sequence of the disassembly process and how far you need to fieldstrip.
- Be aware of the small gun parts
Knowing the gun’s layout is highly beneficial to avoid mistakes in cleaning small gun parts. Even though they are small parts, they are still valuable components you need to pay attention to, especially if you disassemble your gun for cleaning. Of course, by being aware of the gun parts, it will be much easier for you to assemble the gun properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more about gun cleaning and other relevant information, such as gun oiling and storing? Well then, explore more these frequently asked questions below:
u003cstrongu003eFor how long can a gun last without cleaning?u003c/strongu003e
There’s no doubt that it is always good to clean your gun after each use at the shooting range because you will have fewer issues with firing residue and contaminants. After all, even a light cleaning after each shooting will make your gun spotlessly clean, free from damaging components. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eWith the said matter, you might be curious about how long your gun can last without cleaning. The truth is, even though cleaning your gun after each use is ideal, your gun will not instantly get damaged if you miss cleaning it after one use. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIn particular, cleaning your gun within a week will be fine. By that, you will not still get stressed about the build-up firing residues because they are not already stubborn. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eGenerally, your gun can also last for about months without cleaning, especially if you are not adding other fouling to build-up on your gun parts. Of course, since it is only a general piece of information, you must pay better attention to your gun to see the real condition of your gun. By that, you will know when and how frequently you must clean your gun. Basically, the judgment call is yours to make.
u003cstrongu003eWhat type of guns needs frequent cleaning?u003c/strongu003e
There are many types of guns that need frequent cleaning. To know some of them, read on below:u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eu003cbru003e◉ Old gunsu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eEvidently, old guns have more inferior quality than brand new guns. Their condition is the primary reason why they need more frequent cleaning. With that being said, you must ensure that if you have an old gun, you will clean them more often to preserve its lifespan. In addition, it is more crucial if you are utilizing corrosive ammunition.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOf course, the corrosive residue will eat away your gun interior if you leave it uncleaned for a long time. Ideally, the corrosive residue negative outcome and dirt-related functionality issues are preventable problems by just maintaining an ideal and regular proper gun cleaning. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e◉u003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eNew gunsu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eAlthough new guns have the most outstanding condition, you need to start maintaining them right, keeping their lifespan over generations. You will have less to worry about fast corrosion and rotting issues by practicing regular cleaning. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAfter all, when there is no firing residue or contaminants on your gun, you will have no problem with the dirt-related functionality issues, right? For that reason, always take time to clean your new guns to keep them fresh and working efficiently. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e◉u003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eDefensive gunsu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eWhether you are regularly using your defensive gun or not, the most excellent way to take care of it is by frequent cleaning. Hence, always clean your defensive gun once or twice every month to wipe out any residue that can cause a decrease in its functionality and performance.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e◉u003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eSports pistols and shotgunsu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eSuppose that you are involved with sports shooting. In that case, you must be aware that you need to keep your guns in good condition to achieve your expected shooting outcomes. Doubtless, if you enter the shooting competition with a dirty sports pistol and shotgun, you will not win. Therefore, always do regular cleaning for efficient performance. u003cbru003e
u003cstrongu003eHow to ensure gun cleaning safety?u003c/strongu003e
Safety is crucial in the gun cleaning process because the last thing that you want to happen is to harm yourself, right? For that reason, it is a must that you remove the ammunition within the gun and remove it in the vicinity of your cleaning station. Hence, unloading your gun is a mandatory step you need to prioritize in order to prevent any negligent discharge circumstances.
u003cstrongu003eIs it bad to clean a gun too much?u003c/strongu003e
With that discussion regarding the advantages of practicing regular gun cleaning, it is understandable that you wonder if it is bad to clean your gun too much. Luckily, you don’t have anything to fear about; it is good making it a regular hobby to clean your gun after each use. After all, you are only removing the firing residue and contaminant that can cause dirt-related functionality issues each time of your cleaning session. With that being said, it is impossible to say that cleaning is too much. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eGenerally, regular cleaning will always be a rewarding task, helping you make your gun in its optimal condition and performance. Now, that being said, you need to be more concerned about ensuring that you will not use the wrong cleaning tools because utilizing them can only result in improper cleaning. Of course, improper cleaning only leads to damage. By that, cleaning will only become useless and even cause harm to your gun. Therefore, always be cautious in gun cleaning and only use suitable cleaning items.
u003cstrongu003eWhat are home solutions for efficient gun cleaning?u003c/strongu003e
Primarily given that you don’t have any other choice but to use home solutions for gun cleaning, you can use two decent components that you can accessibly use with no issues. You can use a bottle of white vinegar, usually in the kitchen. When you already have that, you can now mix it with a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, commonly found in the bathroom. Remember that the ideal ratio is an equal 50/50 solution. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe mixed white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is a decent cleaner alternative for gun cleaning solvents. What makes them ideal home gun cleaning solutions is their impressive power in cleaning burned particles of metal and gunpowder. As a matter of truth, they are a better option than hard scrubbing the firing residue and contaminants with a bore brush. After all, hard scrubbing is often a sure ticket to damaging your gun. Nevertheless, remember that a home gun cleaning solution is only the last resort if you don’t have cleaning kits.
u003cstrongu003eWhat will exactly happen if you don’t clean your gun?u003c/strongu003e
Technically, not cleaning your gun is a form of neglect that awaits severe consequences. Of course, it is okay to skip some gun cleaning sessions now and then and not strictly follow the schedule of cleaning your gun after each use— it commonly happens due to some reasons. Nevertheless, it is good to have it even after a week of shooting, trying to stick to a minimum session. So, what happens if you fail to do it?u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIf left unclean and neglected, expect that you will say goodbye to your gun in no time due to the dirt-related functionality issues. At first, you will just notice some errors like misfiring and malfunction. However, if you keep neglecting your gun, the worst thing you can encounter is parts replacement, and your gun itself will be useless.
u003cstrongu003eDo you still need to clean a gun that you don’t use?u003c/strongu003e
If you have a long-time stored gun, you might wonder if you still need to clean it. At some point, debris, dirt, and dust can still get inside the gun chamber and other parts, even if it is properly stored. When cleaning a long-time stored gun, the only significant difference is that you don’t need to clean as often as when shooting it. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIn particular, you need to pay more attention to your gun’s condition to see how frequently you need to clean it. Generally, the quicker dirt and other components get through your gun, the more you need to clean it.
u003cstrongu003eHow regular should you oil your gun?u003c/strongu003e
Typically, two main purposes are the primary reasons for oiling or lubricating a gun. First, you need to oil your gun if you are regularly involved in intense range shooting sessions. On the flip side, you also need to oil your gun if you shoot in a humid environment. Also, when you know that moisture is your enemy, the more often you need to oil your gun for protection against rust and corrosion.
u003cstrongu003eHow to store a gun properly?u003c/strongu003e
Since your gun can still accumulate moisture and dirt while stored, you need to make sure to learn how to store a gun properly to avoid any catastrophic instances. By that, you can follow the guidelines below:u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ Before doing anything else, you should ensure that your gun is unloaded. It is a safety rule that can guarantee less chance of accidents, even without utilizing additional safety features. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ If possible, try to utilize trigger locks. With them, you can reduce the chance of accidents because the trigger locks prevent loading and firing by unauthorized users. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ For proper storing of your gun, look for a cool, dry, and clean place. Aside from that, the place must also be locked and secured to ensure that your gun will never go into the wrong hands. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ Add silica packs in your gun storage place to shield your gun from the moisture that can cause rusting and damage to your gun. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ Don’t store your gun in a storage case or holster because it can produce tannic acids. These components can accelerate corrosion which can damage your gun quicker than you expect. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ Remove the fingerprint marks on your gun because it contains acid levels, causing rusting and damage. So, wipe them all out for them not to mess with the appearance of your gun’s finish. Therefore, your gun will still look at its best when you get it out of your storage. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ Do not block your gun barrel because the block will disrupt the airflow, resulting in a build-up of moisture and rust. Your gun needs to breathe, so don’t block it even if you only aim for adding security to gun safety. u003cbru003eu003cbru003e◉ Before storing your gun, make sure to clean and oil it to free it from contaminants and protect it from other damaging components.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, it is a piece of general advice for gun cleaning to make it a regular session as often as you can. Even though cleaning your gun after each use will bring the best cleaning results, you can still get away with cleaning even after a week of shooting. It is fine as long as you will not entirely neglect your gun. Always aim to keep your gun in top condition to be free to reach superior, long-lasting performance.
Hopefully, this guide has covered the information you need to achieve efficient gun cleaning that will satisfy you. If you need to know more about guns and other shooting accessories guides and reviews, take a tour of the Survival Gear Shack website to learn all about them. Therefore, grab this chance to explore and know more about them!
