Overcleaning?

[b4uqzme]

I've been doing a little experiment. Been shooting the snot out of my k40 without cleaning it. Is it possible that cleaning is overrated? I keep my mk9 pristine and it doesn't run this well -- even though I follow the lube sticky faithfully.

[rnbtexas]

How many rounds in are you? I've wondered the same thing.

[b4uqzme]

About 600

[muggsy]

Sounds like a man on a fool's errand.

[Alfonse]

I tried that with my apartment once when I was young. It impaired the function of my social life somewhat. I caused failures to feed of coeds into the bedroom.

[b4uqzme]

Sounds like a man on a fool's errand.

No argument here...

[Gringo Pistolero]

IMO...if it runs that well dirty, it will do even better clean!

I don't keep any of my firearms "pristine" anymore - 20 years in the Army gave me my fill of that - but I do believe in keeping everything "functionally clean."

Chuck

[CB3]

Generally, a dirty barrel will not impair function. However a dirty action will compromise function at some point. The problem is you don't know at what point the dirty action will cause a function problem.

Most well-made handguns can go hundreds of rounds without cleaning and without function problems. For range shooting this is okay. However if this gun is used for self-defense purposes having it functionally clean is a much better idea.

[jocko]

do u

I've been doing a little experiment. Been shooting the snot out of my k40 without cleaning it. Is it possible that cleaning is overrated? I keep my mk9 pristine and it doesn't run this well -- even though I follow the lube sticky faithfully.

bayth one a day, every uter day, once a week. ??? U really don'thave to u know, and trust me it will effect funtionality, just like a dirty gun can..

I have no doubt kahrs and most every semi out thre willgo many hundreds of rounds, CJB covers this best IMO.

My carry gun is always clean, but never the leass it can malfunction on that first trigger pull to. There are no guarantees in life

Also cleaning ur weapon is now giving u a chance to review the guns internals after some range time. U just never know..

[b4uqzme]

Truth is I'm a bit of a clean gun nut -- to the point of obsession. It's normal for me to strip, clean and lube each gun after every range session. However after an aggressive cleaning it seems to take a few rounds for the gun to run smooth again. Seems you have to let the new lube work in somewhat. The experiment wasn't even intended. It just sort of happened and then I got curious. And then curious to see what you all would think. Thanks for the input. I think the lesson is everything in moderation. While there's no need to detail strip your weapon every week, it is good practice to keep it "functionally clean".

[b4uqzme]

P.S. will one of you guys explain to the wife why the whole house smells like Ballistol?

[Bawanna]

Dear Mrs. b4uqzme

This is Jocko, I'm a certified expert on all things that go bang.

Ballistol once you become accustomed to it has a very pleasant aroma and as an added benefit it is an aphrodisiac. A win/win situation in any book.

I hope you make every attempt to acclimate your self and acquire a taste if you will for the aroma of Ballistol. I've only recently acquired a supply for myself and find it quite satisfactory.

Live to Ride


Jocko

[AIRret]

Normally all guns are cleaned after every trip to the range. However, occasionally a gun may only have 20 or 30 rounds through it so I'll wait until the next range day and more rounds before cleaning.

Sometime I may not shoot my carry gun(s) for a couple of weeks and when that happens I still switch out my magazines, and take the gun apart to check out the lube and sometime I use compressed air if there is any lint in the slide etc. A weekly check on my life saving gun seems to be a good investment of my time!!

[texjack]

I dont clean my Kahrs too often, but I do keep them oiled. But, then again, neither have ever had a malfunction, ever.

[b4uqzme]

I dont clean my Kahrs too often, but I do keep them oiled. But, then again, neither have ever had a malfunction, ever.

That's what I was finding. Thanks texjack. I was stripping away all the lube and having to start over each time. Now I simply wipe them out and clean the bore. Once in awhile I flush the striker channel too. Re-lube and away I go with no malfunctions since I started this routine. I only shot revolvers until recently and was used to scrubbing and polishing them after every range trip. Pistol actions are too delicate/intricate for that...

Anyone have any tips on cleaning a Ruger Mark I?