Cleaning question

[jsigone]

I just got my first ever handgun/firearm. I have a question about cleaning, what I found on the net was different then the instructions that came w/ the kit I got from turners. On the net, it said to run solvant patches through the barrel until they come out clean then run the brush in damped w/ solvent then back through w/ dry patches until patches comes out clean, then oil patches. On the kit, it said to run the damp brush in first, then wet solvant patches then dry patches, then oil patches.

I'm confused on what to do first. Last night when I cleaned the gun, I did it per internet instructions. I used solvant patches to whip clean the inside of the slide and outside the slide. I then went through the barrel w/ one oil patch, outside the barrel w/ one oil patch, then used 2 oil patches for the inside the slide and one oil patch for the outside of the slide. I'm not sure how much oil to use on the inside of the slide and exactly where to put oil other then the rails.

Can anyone help a new guy out

[Figgy1682]

ok this is just how i do so dont kill me if its not the way anyone else does it. i use hoppes #9 with the barrell brush with solvent on it i run it through the bbl. then i run pathces through. then i use a tooth brush and scrub the slide in and out . then i do the frame rails mag well and as many controlls as i can. then i use action cleaner ( its some spray can solvent stuff ) gun scrubber or what ever and hit the parts in the slide that i dont take apart and the trigger and stuff. then i use a can of that stuff to clean your keyboards or you could use compressed air and blow off the whole thing. then i wipe down the whole gun and put it back together. then i work the slide a little and wipe down the whole gun with a silicone cloth and call it a day.

[jsigone]

you don't add oil or anything to the slide or barrel?

[TravisSTi]

For the Barrel I have always run the oiled brush through a few times. Then solvent patches, then dry patches, then lightly oiled patch. As for lubing the rest of the gun all you need is a light coating of oil on all moving parts, slide rails, springs, barrel, and anywhere you see wear marks. If your not degreasing everything when you clean you wont need to oil as much.

[Figgy1682]

i dont add oil on the bbl inside the bbl i do. and as far as my slide i put 4 drops , one drop on each rail in the frame that the slide slides on .

[MPSoldier]

Clean the inside of the barrel the same way as the outside -

Wipe off any loose dirt and oil. I suggest an old rag

Use a solvent and brush to scrub away any carbon or dirt build up. You may have to get tough with your gun. Don't miss the tiny little crevices - invest in a dental pick.

Scrub with solvent till clean. Wipe off. Apply thin coat of oil - I suggest a small, soft paintbrush.

Fire weapon and repeat....

[goodnickels]

Ummm. isn't it true that you want to avoid oiling the firing pin's housing in the back of the slide?

[propellerhead]

I wish there was a detailed How To Clean instructions with pics and clear entry and exit criteria. All the instructions I saw tell you to use solvent and a nylon brush and clean the slide. That's great but if you've never cleaned a slide before, how do you know when to stop? At what point is it clean? I dipped a toothbrush in a bottle of Hoppe's #9 and brushed the bottom side of the slide for about 30 seconds then wiped it with a rag. It felt like I just smooshed the dirt around or into the small cracks and openings.

[Odin]

I use Blue Wonder. Apply some on the wire brush and scrub the inside with about 7-10 passes and let it sit for a couple of mins. In the meantime, clean out the slide and frame. By then, about 5-10 minutes should have elapsed and then run 1 clean patch through the barrel. This stuff is amazing. By far the best cleaner I have used. Usually with other cleaners you have to keep on running wads through it to get all the powder, lead and copper out of the barrel. You only need to do it once with Blue Wonder. Then I put a light amount of oil on the slide and 1 drop or so on just about every moving part.

[StevenJ]

Personally, i use a wet patch with hoppes 9 benchrest , let it sit in for about 5 mins, than i use a wet brush and scrub, then let it sit for a few, then one more sopped patch and finally dry patches untill NOTHING comes out, usually take about 15 or so patches, then ill send one down the barrell wet using militec-1 synthetic weapons lubricant, after that one more dry one to pick up the lube and i call the inside good, a soft bristle brush with hoppes one everything else. Ill wipe down the outsides and insides with militec-1 with a few drops and my finger, once i have a god even coat ill dry everything off with a clean rag untill there is no sign of any lube to the touch or sight. thats just how i do it. Not the "right" way by any means, there really is no right way, just better ways, My one XD is about 4years old and has had excess of easliy 5000+ rounds through it, still looks like new!
Steve