To Clean... Or Not To Clean?

[Subprimal]

Ok, so here's my dilemma... I'm extremely thorough and and religious about cleaning my gun after spending time at the range.

I've always noticed that the first 5 or so shots are horribly misplaced and it's not just my grip, stance and sight picture, they're very misplaced. After some lead builds up in the barrel, everything is great, spot-on, etc... even with different bullet brands, types and weights.

This gun is also my carry gun, it's on me everywhere but the shower, and even then, it's sitting on top of the toilet. If the time were to ever come where I need to use it, any little bit of accuracy would help.

So I'm thinking I'll take a lesson from my rifle shooting, and leave the barrel dirty. As long as I'm using non-corrosive ammunition, I'm fine, right?

Anyone else notice this about the XD-45 (Service/4in.)

[digitalexplr]

Try firing a few rounds from a bench rest or have someone else try the first five. I really suspect is the shooting not the gun.

[Kaboom]

lol
ok, what do you THINK is happening after just 5 shots that makes a 4" barrel noticeably more accurate at defensive distances?
It's you getting used to the trigger pull.
Easy way to check, clean the gun as usual then shoot 10 or twenty shots and put it away for a week ( I sincerely assure you the XD will be fine in that condition for oh, say years ) take it to the range and take your shots.

[southern thunder]

Clean it ! A clean gun is a happy gun.

[Subprimal]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

lol
ok, what do you THINK is happening after just 5 shots that makes a 4" barrel noticeably more accurate at defensive distances?
It's you getting used to the trigger pull.
Easy way to check, clean the gun as usual then shoot 10 or twenty shots and put it away for a week ( I sincerely assure you the XD will be fine in that condition for oh, say years ) take it to the range and take your shots.

Ok, without sounding rude or patronizing...

Having spent several years as a US Army Sniper, we would not take a clean barrel on a mission. There are several factors at play... you ever heard of leaded gasoline? It's because lead makes a very good lubricant between two metal parts. Also, it fills in the pits and lands in the rifling, creating a smooth, rifled bore. I'm assuming that plays well in the pistol category as well, but I just wanted to ask if anyone else had experienced this, since I never seemed to notice before with my 92F or HK USP 45.

I guess this forum is like the others, a bunch of internet experts with no qualifications. Sorry for wasting the bandwidth on this attempt at a discussion.

[Old4Eyes]

1. Define horribly misplaced (how far off target and at what range).

2. I would hazard a guess that most of us internet experts are shooting FMJ and are getting copper buildup in the rifling and can't speak to the lead fill you speak of. And the HK is using a Polygonal barrel, no rifling to fill.

3. We are OK with wasting bandwidth.

4. Kaboom made an honest attempt of an answer. He felt that it probably suggested a trigger pull issue but then made what I feel is an honest scientific approach to the equation, get the gun dirty, come back another day and see if a dirty gun shot from a cold start improved the problem. If so, it proved your theory.

5. Yup, this forum is like the others. And you are free to use them and leave us XD idiots to blindly find our way on this forum.

[masmergadol]

Originally Posted by Old4Eyes

1. Define horribly misplaced (how far off target and at what range).

2. I would hazard a guess that most of us internet experts are shooting FMJ and are getting copper buildup in the rifling and can't speak to the lead fill you speak of. And the HK is using a Polygonal barrel, no rifling to fill.

3. We are OK with wasting bandwidth.

4. Kaboom made an honest attempt of an answer. He felt that it probably suggested a trigger pull issue but then made what I feel is an honest scientific approach to the equation, get the gun dirty, come back another day and see if a dirty gun shot from a cold start improved the problem. If so, it proved your theory.

5. Yup, this forum is like the others. And you are free to use them and leave us XD idiots to blindly find our way on this forum.

Well said. I too know of "snipers" who saw a few too many movies.

[insatiable ONE]

I don't see that much of an issue, for a defensive weapon.
But as never shot pistol IDPA or USPSA etc. ???
When I was shooting black powder comp. definitely.
S.B. silhouette - some rifles shot better w/ a little fouling.
Big bore rifle- maybe.
But just shooting a lot of steel plate w/ pistol, sorry I have not seen any difference.
I would though be interested in your findings.
I think KABOOM might have been on to something.

[Kaboom]

Originally Posted by Subprimal

Ok, without sounding rude or patronizing...

Having spent several years as a US Army Sniper, we would not take a clean barrel on a mission. There are several factors at play... you ever heard of leaded gasoline? It's because lead makes a very good lubricant between two metal parts. Also, it fills in the pits and lands in the rifling, creating a smooth, rifled bore. I'm assuming that plays well in the pistol category as well, but I just wanted to ask if anyone else had experienced this, since I never seemed to notice before with my 92F or HK USP 45.

I guess this forum is like the others, a bunch of internet experts with no qualifications. Sorry for wasting the bandwidth on this attempt at a discussion.

I dont actually care whether you are rude or patronizing, when it comes to guns and other technical things, I care about the facts.

The changes that occur in "fouling" of the barrel ( yes I have heard of leaded gas ) in a barrel will affect velocity which makes a HUGE difference at long ranges whether it be pistol or rifle, but at distances of say 25yds or so ( at most ) I'd doubt that even a 25% velocity change makes enough of a diff to miss a vital area in a human. If I had my ballistics proggys installed I could check, I'm sure someone else can do the drop change calcs.

The internet seems to be mostly populated by:
#1 ( by far ) Fighter pilots.
#2 Dodge Viper drivers/owners.
#3 Snipers.
#4 Normal folks ( wtf THAT is lol )

[KNO3]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

The internet seems to be mostly populated by:
#1 ( by far ) Fighter pilots.
#2 Dodge Viper drivers/owners.
#3 Snipers.
#4 Normal folks ( wtf THAT is lol )

Honestly made me laugh out loud. Kaboom FTW!!!