Cleaning the Striker Channel…How Often?

[Rubb]

This was a question I had at one time so I thought a little experiment was in order.

This is a comparison of a striker channel clean out after 1250 rounds vs. 200 rounds.
Both cleanings were done with the pictured NC Brake Cleaner.

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It was cleaned for the first time at 1250 and some of that grime could have been leftover from the manufacturing process.

It’s obvious to me the clean out doesn’t have to be done after every session but, I would highly recommend it for new guns.
If you use the NC Brake Cleaner as a general cleaner then by all means go for it.
IMO, as long as you’re taking care not to get cleaners and lubes in the striker channel…all should be good.

[muggsy]

I give mine a shot every 200 rounds. Cleanliness is next to Godliness and my CM9 is next to my balls. I appendix carry.

[Bug Splat]

I give mine a shot every 200 rounds. Cleanliness is next to Godliness and my CM9 is next to my balls. I appendix carry.

Yeah I use a Smart Carry. I like to keep Kahr clean as its a carry pistol. I like to detail strip it and clean it all by hand. 99% of that is just for fun

[druryj]

A lil squirt in the hole never hurt nuthin'.

[MW surveyor]

Clean every time it comes back from the range. Did it today after only firing 10 rounds through it. Ya never know!

[muggsy]

A lil squirt in the hole never hurt nuthin'.

More guns have been ruined by improper cleaning than by any other method. Oil in a striker channel can cause misfires. Oil collects dirt. Oil congeals in cold temperatures. Oil is hydroscopic. Some times a little squirt can cause a large pain in the as*.

[jshtroutman]

So you guys are saying I can squirt brake clean in the striker channel and be good to go? If there is no oil what so ever in there do I have to worry about rust developing? I'm sorry for the dumb questions I just received a new cw9 and I wanna clean it the way you more experienced kahr owners do.

[lowroad]

So you guys are saying I can squirt brake clean in the striker channel and be good to go? If there is no oil what so ever in there do I have to worry about rust developing? I'm sorry for the dumb questions I just received a new cw9 and I wanna clean it the way you more experienced kahr owners do.

It's stainless not gonna rust. Run that striker channel clean and dry.

[jshtroutman]

It's stainless not gonna rust. Run that striker channel clean and dry.

Thanks! That's what I was hoping to hear...

[TominCA]

I blow mine out every cleaning - but when disassembled the "back end" and pulled the striker I found some crud still in there! I also sometimes have trouble with the extractor / extractor channel when it gets real dirty. I now give it a few minutes in the ultrasound every few cleanings. I usually clean the P380 about every 100 rounds.

[downtownv]

Do you guys remove the spring/Styker pin to clean it or a simple tilt and spray?

[Tinman507]

I do the spray and flush with brake cleaner for the majority of cleaning. After close to 1000 rounds I got tinkery and pulled the slide down all the way.

There was a ton of crud and flakes in there the flushing didn't touch. The extractor channel had a lot of gunk in it as well. So my plan is to continue the spray for most cleaning but do the full monte every 700-1000 rounds just for peace of mind.

Lots of good tutorials and I believe a video or two for pulling the slide down. The Ripley striker spring tool is also essential. (search this forum for that) and a large Zip-lok bag for flying part containment (ask me how I know that one)

[TucsonMTB]

If you are finding crud in the striker channel despite frequent spray cleaning, try pulling the striker back to allow stronger flow through the hole in the breach face and/or cover the hole in the breach face with your finger to force a stronger flow out the back. Those techniques seem to keep mine clean, as verified by a tear down between 500 and a 1000 rounds, depending on enthusiasm. YMMV

[chrish]

For the sake of sharing and embarrassing myself, now that the topic of striker channels has come back up. Funny story. Almost don't want to tell it.

Anyway. Was cleaning a couple months back, had just brake sprayed the channel out, reached for the canned air to blow as much brass out as possible...but that wasn't what I grabbed. Pumped the striker channel FULL of CLP Breakfree. Nice! I felt about a dumb as a dish rag.

Be careful what you squirt and where you squirt it. Apply that rule across your life and you'll do well.

[Rubb]

If you are finding crud in the striker channel despite frequent spray cleaning, try pulling the striker back to allow stronger flow through the hole in the breach face and/or cover the hole in the breach face with your finger to force a stronger flow out the back. Those techniques seem to keep mine clean, as verified by a tear down between 500 and a 1000 rounds, depending on enthusiasm. YMMV

Good tip, thanks