ltwguns.com

I am fairly, well, anal about keeping my firearms clean. So much so that I usually take my 1911 down to the pins after a shoot. Now when I shoot I shoot about 500-700 rounds at a time. My question arises from a conversation at the range today. Does it hurt a firearm to do this type of cleaning this often. I go shooting no less than 4 times a month. I ask here because I trust your opinion here.
thanks.

I'm equally as anal (with my pistols) - and shoot about as much as you. I've seen no signs of accelerated wear. I only use a nylon bore brush (if I use one at all).

It is not necessary to clean a gun "down to the pins" which I assume means you totally strip the gun down. However, it is your gun and if you want it clean then clean it. I imagine the damage could only be from aggressively and unecessarily cleaning your bore.

_________________
Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Mathew,
I used to clean my weapon “down to the pins” after every shooting session regardless of how many rounds I fired. I had a well-known smith on these forums (also a damn good smith) work over my duty pistol for me. One of the many things I have learned from Chuck is you don’t have to go nuts about cleaning. Now admittedly I thought he was nuts at first but once again what he told me was right on the money. I now clean the upper on my pistol every 1,000 rounds and don’t completely strip and clean the lower until roughly 3,000 rounds. I don’t know that every pistol can go this long but this one definitely can without malfunction. Of course your mileage may vary.

_________________
09/11/01
Never forget, Never forgive

Evan.
That is true enough for a properly set up 1911.
But hey buddy,

I was only kidding about only showering every two weeks.

_________________
http://www.rogersprecision.com

BWAHAHAHA!!!!

Chuck,
I promise if I am ever in your part of the State I will stop by the shop. Of course I will make sure it has been at least two weeks since my last shower For now I will start showering again (this may explain why no one can stand near me for more than a minute at a time.) And I thought my Sergeant just didn't like talking with me anymore.

_________________
09/11/01
Never forget, Never forgive

One more add to my original question since you all bring up aggresively cleaning the bore. I shoot only lead. I don't shoot it hot. I shoot vv310 at about 850fps. I don't scrub the heck out of it. What does one have to do to over do it?
thanks again

On being "overly aggressive" with the bore, is it alright to clean using a patch-wrapped nylon brush and punching all the way one direction and then pulling back through? Also, are the ammonia based solvents alright? Or should I stick with oil based?

My standard bore cleaning, and this works for both lead and jacketed bullet fouling, is a blue Nylon brush from Iosso. These are really, really stiff. I wrap copper pan scrubber around it, the coarse stuff, not the real fine, steel-wool-like stuff. I scrub back and forth, reversing in the bore if I feel like it, and usually about the time the barrel starts to warm up from the friction, I'm done. I use whatever bore solvent is handy-- it doesn't seem to make much dif.

For the chamber I use the Wilson Combat chamber brush and an empty case whose mouth has been filed into saw teeth, looks like a little hole saw. I've done this with a Wolf steel case and have it soldered to a handle.

I know this all sounds agressive but I've been cleaning my own guns this way aggressively and frequently for 10+ years, and there are no chamber or bore wear probs.

I used to see Ken Tapp cleaning his bores with a bore brush on an electirc drill!

Ned,
I do exactly the same thing with the copper mesh Chore-Boy around a brush, and I use a WC chamber brush. However, I have never heard of using an old case. Would you mind posting a picture so I can see what you have done?

Has anyone here seen the KleenBore kits?
Everything goes into a handle and then comes out to make a rod.

How are these to use?
I have been using them for some time and just wonder if they are bad?

_________________
Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

The whole kit. Chamber brush and saw-toothed case on handle are crudely but conveniently taped together......


...and a close-up of the empty case with saw teeth. Keeps the bottom of the chamber clean, getting into an area that brushes maybe can't get quite as well.

wow...i feel much much better about cleaning now...that also gives me some ideas i hadnt even considered!

One thing that I was always told about good firearms - they get damaged from abuse, not use. As long as you replace all the pieces and re-lube where needed (typically all of the shiny spots where there is metal/metal contact) I can't foresee any problems.

I would agree that a total strip isn't necessary, but it is your confidence in the weapon that is most important.

5Shot

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Ned,

That is a great idea with the saw teeth - I am going to drill and tap a couple of cases so that I can thread them on my chamber brush handle.

My big 45 LC 5 Shot Revolver get lube built up in the cylinder, and I think this is quick fix for that!

Thanks,

John

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Ned never fails to deliver some neat ideas.

Hey good buddy, while you are posting pics, any chance at some more detailed pics of the gun in the first pic? Maybe a close up of the rear sight?

Damn, everytime I look at what you do with a machine and I try to wrap my head around how you do it my head spins.