Basic Firearm Maintenance

For new gun owners there is a lot of things that have to be done, from filing the appropriate paperwork to making sure the new gun is going to be functional when it needs to be. The aim of this article is to help the new firearm owner take one worry off that list and instruct them in basic preventive maintenance. Ready to get started?

Tools of the trade

It may sound simple but the first thing you're going to need is a solid cleaning kit. A cleaning kit will typically include a nylon bore brush (very important) copper wire cleaning brushes, a bore 'snake' or rod, cleaning patches (little cloth squares) lubricating oil and possibly a bottle of solvent. In addition to this the following items may or may not come with an 'off the shelf' kit but are extremely useful none the less. Those consist of a box of q-tips (they don't have to be expensive but you don't want them falling apart in your weapon either.) a rag, and a set of dental picks. (Ouch I know but bare with me)

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance is maintenance conducted when the weapon is in storage or simply when it isn't being used all that much (during spring and winter especially). The idea of conducting preventive maintenance is to keep your weapon in a functional state and more importantly safe. There is no such thing as having a weapon too clean but it can be too dry, too wet and yes even too dirty (go figure, huh?)

From the best made firearms to the things left in the garage over the spring time, all guns need some degree of maintenance to keep it functional. Sometimes this can consist of a simple wipe down, others it may involve taking the weapon apart (referred to as stripping it). However before you take your weapon apart (or do anything related to it for that matter) make sure that the chamber is empty and the weapon is on safe.