How to Clean a Firearm

A Clean Firearm

Keeping your firearm clean can be just as important as keeping it loaded. When your pistol is clean it operates smoothly and reflects the respect you have for your weapon. Build ups and corrosion can lead to jams and malfunction, putting your life at risk. Nowadays firearm cleaning can be done on the field with no tools. This has enabled troops, officers, and civilians to maintain a clean weapon at all times. Disassembly and cleaning of a pistol can be explained in a few simple steps.

First of all before you begin to clean your firearm make sure it is unloaded. Release the clip from the pistol and pull the slide back extracting the “hot” round. Your gun is now ready for cleaning. A pistol can be broken down into two main parts. The receiver and the slide barrel assembly. The receiver is comprised of the trigger and handle while your slide barrel assembly holds the barrel and recoil spring. On most polymer pistols these two parts can be separated by holding the slide back, and releasing a lever usually located by the round extraction port. After you release the lever squeeze the trigger and allow the slide to move all the way forward releasing it from the receiver. Usually the receiver will be one whole part composed of trigger mechanics and a polymer housing. The slide is then flipped over, the recoil spring and barrel. Place your thumb on one end of the recoil spring and you pointer finger on the other end, apply pressure, squeeze and pull. This will release your spring. Next on the list is the barrel which can be extracted by pushing it through the slide halfway and pulling it out. After your slide, barrel, recoil spring and receiver are separated you are now ready to begin cleaning.

Cleaning your firearm is like cleaning anything that calls for a little precision, it takes time. Paying attention to detail is important and taking your time makes your next cleaning easier than your first. Nitro solvent is used to break down...