To Strip or not to strip?

[tilefish]

I always strip my guns down completely. I took about 15 minutes to look at a K9 exploded view, refer to the sticky threads and watch a quick YouTube video and have it figured out.
I do the same thing with my XD, detail strip it after every trip to the range.
I realize not everyone likes to tinker with things but I do.

[Gliderguy]

After the discussion about the p380 broken striker I decided to take my pm40 all the way down just for piece of mind and educational purposes. With the excellent sticky guide I had no problems (particularly the hints about fabricating a striker spring compressor and removing the striker spring cover with the slide inside of a ziplock bag. ironically named, it would definately have locked in any zipping parts!) After having done so and running another 100 rounds through the pistol, I have to say it has increased my already high confidence in the design and engineering that went into the pistol.

[U.S. Patriot]

Unless you are having issues with said firearm. I see not point in doing it unless you are at a high round count. I look at it this way, if something malfunctions when said firearm has a low round count. There is a bigger issue or the gun is not worth a damn.

[CJB]

Strip!! Strip!!

or at least.... TOGA TOGA TOGA TOGA!!!

Wait... I better read this thread.

Be back in a bit....

[CJB]

I'll stand by the "strip" statements!

(totally disavow any knowledge of Toga parties)

Ya know... a little of basic cleaning, and the occasional tear it down, based on your shooting, your ammo, the conditions that you carry (sandy, dusty, wet, etc).

I don't think there is a total right or wrong answer here.

You just have to evaluate things, see how it all works out. For instance - me - I carry in my pocket. I know all sorts of crap falls into my pocket. Not loose change and keys, but sand and grit and grime. I have to be careful to clean my pistols often, even if not fired. I tend to run them fairly dry for carry, but pre-clean and run them wetter (not much though) at the range. If you feel your striker channel, extractor cut, etc, are getting really filthy... clean them. If you feel a spray down is good enough for most cleaning, thats fine - it has to suit how you are using the pistol.

Hate to say - whatever works for you, but thats what it comes down to.

[Gliderguy]

Part of my decision to take a look was baised on my pistol being a used firearm. It increased my confidence to know there weren't any hidden problems. I do have the 5# Striker spring coming, and now i think i could have it installed in 5 minutes or so....

[jocko]

allpoijnts are good, u do what works best for u, I do think once u take the striker channel totally dow and cleanit,m that little clean out hole on the bottom of the slide will keep it clean forever. use tha thole every timeu clean and IMO no further disassembly is needed. I can say in over 32K rounds I have had my striker back plate off one time and thatwas to to install the 5# striker spring. These spray cleaners today will get to place u never dreamed of. common sense goes a long way. These guns today and IMO kahrs especall once cleaned ad lubed can take alot of sh-t through them before they act up. Just sayin.

[CJB]

These spray cleaners today will get to place u never dreamed of

maybe I need to keep some on the nightstand....

[Tinman507]

After thinking about it, reading the threads and finally working up the courage, I detail stripped my slide today.

I was floored by the amount of debris down in there. Flakes of brass and carbon. The coathanger tool and the jewelers screwdrivers make it pretty easy. The ziplock bag is essential. Having the teardown diagrams and photos right at hand are essential as well.

I doubt it will need to be done again for a long time but I am now a whole lot smarter and more confident having done it.

I am just over 1000 rounds through this, so I'm gonna plan on doing it again in another 1000.

[kb2wji]

I just detail stripped my K9's slide today as well. The YouTube video's are awesome. I had no problems at all. Instead of a baggie, I just put a micro fiber towel over my hands during the springing sprung steps. Actually didnt even have stuff fly around. Just keep your thumb over it when sliding off the back plate. I THOUGHT my K9 was clean till I detail stripped it. Well worth the 15-30 minutes it'll take you. After you do it once, it'll be a 2 minute procedure to take down again.

[Vaden]

Well I just stripped down the slide on my perfectly functional T9 because I finally got around to acquiring some Q-Tips to clean the firing pin channels on all my guns. I now have enough stainless steel shavings to build another slide. I loaded about 10 Qtips with shavings from that striker channel, they just kept coming and coming. I wet one side with alcohol then dried with the other. I dont even know how that striker pin moved in that channel with all of those shavings in it, there were a LOT.

[muggsy]

Many thanks to all for your opinions. I decided to take it apart completely.

It might help in cleaning and long-term care. But that doesn't seem to be as important as I used to think. My main reason is just to learn how it works. This is the first gun I've owned that has a striker, not a hammer (OK: I'm an "older" guy!). Sure I can look at multi-colored diagrams showing how they work, but there's nothing like handling the parts and seeing how they all fit together (at least, I sure hope they will!).

Finally, I just like the look of fine craftsmanship, and the PM9 seems to be such an example.

If you can put it back together again just put the parts in a mailer and send them to Bawanna.