​Question: How Often Should You Clean Your Gun?

A clean, well-lubricated and properly stored gun indicates responsible ownership.

If you want to retain the accuracy, reliability, and the life of your gun, then cleaning must become a part of its regular maintenance routine. The question that arises therefore is ‘how often should you clean your firearm?’

Some owners feel that firearms should be cleaned after each and every use.

They advocate that you need to clean your weapon within 24 hours after use. This is because residual particles are discharged every time you fire. A build-up of these particles will affect the dependability, precision, and durability of your weapon.

Those who support cleaning after every use may find great pleasure in dismantling and reassembling the gun. Others find it relaxing to clean their weapons, and are likely to do it often. This can be done literally anywhere and may not require that you dismantle your weapon. It requires little preparation.

Another school of thought feel that the frequency depends on how often you use your firearm. They suggest that regular users need not clean their firearms after every use.

They propose that those who do not use their guns every so often should clean them thoroughly before storage. If you keep away a firearm that is developing flash rust for a long time, you are giving the rust time to advance and do great damage to your weapon.

The kind of activities you engage in also determines how often you should perform the maintenance of your gun. If you are a professional hunter, it is advisable that you do it after every session.

Precision shooters clean their guns after every use. Copper residue inside the gun’s barrel can greatly affect the bullets speed hence the overall performance of the firearm.

If you use corrosive ammunition in your weapon, it is recommended that you clean it after every use. Corrosive ammunition like Black powder and Berdan-Primed ammunition contain salts in the ammo primers.

These salts require immediate cleaning as they can cause corrosion. It is also advisable that you clean the bore severely during a prolonged shooting session.

There is yet another group of users who propose that lubrication is more important than cleaning. They feel that a well-lubricated gun lasts longer than a clean, poorly lubricated firearm.

Those that belong to this school of thought can go for a long time without cleaning their guns. They wait to see the effects on neglect so that they can be bolted to action.

Others recommend that you set a schedule indicating when you will be doing your cleaning.

For example, you can decide to clean your firearm after firing 50 rounds or 100 rounds. Stick to these schedules and conduct thorough maintenance. Visually inspect your weapon.

Whatever the preference, remember that your firearm requires regular maintenance. Keep it spotless, well-greased, and properly stored to avert glitches and stoppages.

Neglect routine care at your own risk. A good cleaning kit (preferably one with a jag) is a good start.

​Consequences of Neglecting the Routine Care of Your Weapon

Every gun owner desires excellent, reliable services from their firearm.

Like every other machine, a gun is expected to accumulate dirt and undergo depreciation due to continued use. Therefore, proper, regular maintenance is mandatory if your firearm is to function optimally.

Part of that maintenance is regular cleaning.

Frequent cleaning guarantees your safety and extends the life of your firearm. A little effort can solve a wide range of issues that would arise from neglect.

80%-90% of all mechanical and functional gun failures are attributed to neglect.

The following are some of the issues you are likely to encounter in case you neglect the routine care of your weapon.

Failure to fire: This is a common dirty gun problem. It fails to discharge the round of ammunition within. This can be fatal in the event that you are trying to defend yourself against a robber in your house or car.

Failure to feed: The other parts of the weapon fail to perform as expected. For example, the gun may not eject the next round of ammunition. This will hinder you from firing as many bullets as you would want.

Reduced Bullet Speed: A build-up of residual fouling over time will lead to malfunctions. The copper build-up in the barrel of your weapon will decrease the velocity of your bullet.

Interferes with a Gun’s Reliability: A dirty and corroded weapon affects its accuracy and reliability. Failure to fire, for example, can be catastrophic in the event of a shootout.

Reduced Lifespan: Weapons stored for a long time, if not properly cleaned and lubricated, can develop rust. If you don’t meticulously remove this flash rust, it builds over time and eats into the metal of your firearm. This kind of damage is irreparable and can mean gun replacement.

So what contributes to these problems?

Residual Fouling: Each time you fire a bullet, particles known as fouling residue form within the barrel and piston of your weapon. This carbon, plastic, lead or copper constituted residue arises from the bullets, wad, and gunpowder that you are using.

Most bullets are made of lead, with a copper coating. Whatever is referred to as lead-free ammunition has some copper element. It is therefore difficult to find copper-free ammunition. This residue will affect the reliability of your firearm.

Rust: Rust can cause serious damage to your weapon. When you expose metal to humidity, a thin layer of rust (peppering) will form. This thin layer needs to be thoroughly cleaned before any lubricant can be applied to the weapon.

Cleaning your weapon is therefore critical since it is impossible to find ammunition that does not accumulate grime.

Can you imagine a safety weapon that is unreliable in the event of an emergency?

Overlooking a simple procedure could cost your life or that of your family members.

A good gun can be passed down through generations. Take good care of yours and you will reap bountifully along the way.

Recommended Read: The Use of a Jag in Gun Cleaning

Are you planning on purchasing or using a concealed firearm? You have to remember that there are a few things to take note of when doing so.

After all, this is a very serious topic which can affect your whole life. Yes, concealed firearms are there to protect you and those around you but there are a few issues to tackle before you begin hiding your weapon properly while going out.

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You should also learn about how you can ensure that you conceal the gun properly to avoid stirring panic from those around you. But how will you do that?

Read on to learn more about concealed carry for men and women, as well as how you can avoid making any mistakes when carrying firearms.

Is Concealed Carry Allowed in Your State?

Take note that all states allow carrying concealed firearms in different forms. There are 38 states that require you to have a state-issued permit so you are able to carry concealed firearms. The other twelve states allow people to carry concealed firearms without a permit.

The twelve states that allow individuals to carry concealed firearms without a permit are:

• checkAlaska
• checkArizona
• checkIdaho
• checkKansas
• checkMaine
• checkMississippi
• checkMissouri
• checkNew Hampshire
• checkNorth Dakota
• checkVermont
• checkWest Virginia
• checkWyoming

Of the 38 states that require a permit for concealed firearms, eight of these states (and District of Columbia) have “May Issue” laws, where authority has the discretion to deny a permit to applicants if ever that individual has lack of a good character or reason to carry weapons in public. 

33 states have “Shall Issue” laws, requiring authority to allow most permit requests.

 The “May Issue” states are as follows:

• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Maryland
• Massachussets
• New Jersey
• New York

Of course, there are a few exceptions to the law. While there are some states that allow open carry, there are certain establishments that disallow individuals to carry a weapon in their stores. These are in large establishments such as Chipotle, Starbucks, and Target.

Please visit this page if you’d like to know more about the appropriate laws and the exceptions.

Common Concealed Carry Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that even if you think you do follow your state’s rules and regulations, you may still be making mistakes when owning your concealed carry?

It may be from the way you dress down to how you think or act with the firearm in your possession.

To help avoid any dangerous or embarrassing situations, acquaint yourself with the following common mistakes in concealed carry and how you can avoid them:

Not Testing Your Holster

This is one of the common mistakes first-time carriers make. For those who do not test their holsters, you may end up experiencing pain and discomfort.

You have to make sure that you choose a c​​omfortable holster that fits you well and won’t cause you any harm. Have a holster that covers and protects the trigger, as well as something that you can easily access.

Acting Unnatural

This is an embarrassing mistake many make as well. The reason you have a concealed carry is because you don’t want people to know you are carrying one.

Avoid walking awkwardly and looking around your body to see if your gun is still there. If you do look weird, there’s no point in having a concealed carry!

Not Wearing Good Fabric

Avoid wearing fabrics that would catch on your holster or pistol grips. Also, avoid lightweight or loosely-woven fabrics which print easily, or light-colored fabrics which would show the color of your holster or firearm.

You’ll need to check yourself before leaving the house, ensuring that what you are wearing hides the handgun well without it feeling uncomfortable.

Adjusting in Public

This is one way you’re going to freak out people around you!

Unless you are in a restroom cubicle or private area with no one around, avoid lifting up your shirt or pants to adjust your gun. If you are in an uncomfortable position, find a private area to do so.

Not Securing the Holster Correctly 

If you aren’t able to secure your holster properly, then you may end up feeling uncomfortable if the gun and holster begins to slide in awkward positions. Sometimes, the holster may even pop out and cause panic! 

Worse, not securing the holster can pose the risk of your gun shooting itself. So make sure that before you leave the house, your holster is safe and buckled up!

You Think You’re Unstoppable

Remember that just because you have a concealed firearm doesn’t mean you are invincible and have eliminated any threats that come your way.

Avoid any trouble and do not cause a stir just because of simple spats with other people. Possession of a firearm is a huge responsibility!

No Proper Handgun Training

You won’t be able to use your firearm properly if you do not know how to shoot with it in the first place! You must acquaint yourself with the current handgun training and continue to practice regularly so you are able to use it for self-defense.

Learn how to remove the handgun quickly and take a quick target and shot if ever anything happens!

Unaware of the Laws

You should know the rules of your state to avoid going into any trouble with the law. Know where you can or cannot bring your firearm and bring your permit with you in case you are stopped by a police officer.

Wrapping It Up

And there you have it! Through acquainting yourself with how to dress yourself and the attitude you take when having concealed carry, then you won’t have to worry about breaking the law or running into any dangerous situation.

It all boils down to ensuring that you are following your state’s rules and regulations, as well as knowing how to handle your firearm.

I hope that this article on concealed carry for men and women helped you become more knowledgeable on what you should follow. So don’t wait any longer and begin following the right ways on how to conceal your firearm today.

If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on concealed carry, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.

Like this article? Keep the fun going with this recent addition ​about the three worst range weapons.