A Clean Gun is Good Gun

Posted On: 11-24-2025

The other day I was helping a friend with their gun, and I noticed it was a mess.  The gun was galled with burnt powder and while some oil was present it was a pudding of abrasive gunk.  My point here is when do you clean your firearm and how do you clean your gun. 

First of all, semi-autos are not different from over and under guns, pump guns or side-by-sides.  If they get dirty they wear excessively and eventually, they fail to operate.  It can get very expensive digging into a double barrel with a broken firing pin. 

I mention the firing pin and just for informative perspective the firing pin typically never stays in contact with the hammer.  The hammer of course is released when you pull the trigger and is cocked when you open the breach or charge the breach.  The hammer impacts the firing pin and slings it towards the shell primer.  In a perfect world that would happen easily if lubricated and clean, but when the firing pin gets good and dirty it cannot move forward easily. 

Other mechanisms in the gun also must move freely including the trigger assembly where once again grim causes wear and slows down the process.  Finally, the forearm assembly of pumps and semi-autos house gas and spring assemblies that operate the breach.  Eventually these gets dirty, and shells do not move into the breach after each shot.  Frustrating for all on the line.

The double barrel ejectors and closing hinges also suffer the same fate to dirt, grease and unburnt powders.  I have seen guns that will not even open as they are so dirty.  Everything suffers when dirty.

So, take the time to learn to disassemble your gun and learn all the components.  Tools for cleaning are easy to obtain and cleaning solutions that dissolve power work very well.  Lubricants are available for each application including the one often noted for being problematic the choke tube.  Always take the time to clean those threads and lubricate the threads.  If you pull a choke and threads look brown that is likely rust and soon will not be removed at all even with great force. 

Barrels require a shine.  They are chrome steel and hardened, but they can scratch and rust.  Soft brass brushes and cotton cleaners will go a long way in keeping your barrel clean and rust free.  A bore-snake is a great thing to always keep in your case. 

In some cases, things need a good soak.  I have found engine degreaser available at your auto parts stores works very well to remove dirt, grease and power.  Be very careful using harsh chemicals as they may destroy your gun finish if either varnish or screen dipped.

Make point of keeping your gun clean.  Be sure to get proper supervision if needed before starting, but as I said, learn all the components to make your gun last a lifetime. 

David R. Vaught, Ph.D.

Executive Director