Firearms need maintenance and care, just like any other equipment. It does not only help them last longer but also ensures better performance. Cleaning a gun is essential, whether you have it for your safety or only as a range toy.
If you are on a tight budget and do not want to spend extra money to get your gun cleaned, we’ve got you covered. If you have a change of hear check out the best gun cleaning kits here and those reviewed on OutdoorWorld Reviews. Listed below are some easy steps to clean your gun at your home.
Let’s get started!
How to Clean a Gun With Household Items
The Required Household Items
To clean a gun at your home, you will need the following items.
Cotton Tips
Cotton tips can go inside the barrel and clean the inner body. You can dip the cotton tips in the lubricant and then move them inside the chamber for cleaning. If you do not have cotton tips or the cotton tips are not long enough to completely go inside the barrel, you can use a thin stick.
You can also use a piece of cloth to clean the surface inside the barrel. For this, you will have to cut the fabric into smaller pieces, according to the length of your barrel. Make sure that the selection of cloth is long enough for you to pull it back after cleaning. Otherwise, it can get stuck inside the barrel.
Cloth/Paper Towel/Rag
You can use a small piece of cloth, rag, or towel to clean the gun’s exterior surface. There are several types of gun cleaning clothes and patches in the market as well. They are highly absorbent and can be thrown away after one use.
If you are using a cloth, get a pair of scissors to cut the fabric too.
Lubricant Oil
The interior surface of the gun can get rough over time, which causes friction. It can also result in the failure of the gun, which is why using a lubricant oil is vital for the users. Lubricant oil also protects the surface of the barrel from corrosion and improves the overall lifespan.
If you do not have enough lubricant at your home, you can always mix some other liquids with it to increase the quantity. The most commonly used liquids are present below.
Transmission Oil
If you have a car, you must have transmission oil in your garage. Transmission oil is an excellent gun cleaner and lubricant. It is cheap and has a thick consistency.
It intensifies the cooling function and protects the surface from wear.
Kerosene
Kerosene oil is a solvent for grease with strong cleaning properties. Since there are many impure forms of kerosene available in the market, make sure to buy pure kerosene oil. It is best to use red or 1-K kerosene to clean your gun.
Mineral Spirit
Mineral spirits are used to dissolve the oils and remove the grease. They are very cheap and used as paint thinners, so you might already have them in your garage.
Step-by-Step Method to Clean the Gun
Once you have collected all the ingredients, you can now start cleaning your gun, following the steps listed below. But before beginning to clean the gun, make sure that you keep your fingers off the trigger. It is also essential to point the gun in a safe direction before disassembling it.
Step 1
The first step is to take an old rag or towel and lay it down on the table. This will prevent the lubricants from falling on the table directly. Next, unload your gun and disassemble it. If it is your first time cleaning a gun, it is better to number all the parts so you can assemble them at the end easily.
Step 2
Now clean the chamber, bolt, frame, and barrel separately. You can cut the cloth into small pieces and clean the exterior and interior surface. To clean the barrel, use a thin stick or a cotton tip. Rub it on the interior surface of the barrel to get all the dirt out. If you do not have a thin stick or the cotton tip, you can take a small piece of cloth and fold it to clean the barrel.
To clean the chamber and the bolt, dip a cotton tip or a thin stick in the lubricant and apply the lubricant on the surface. Make sure to lubricate the firing pin as well.
Step 3
After you have cleaned the chamber and exterior of the gun using the lubricant:
- Take a long piece of cloth.
- Put that cloth inside the barrel and let it come out from the chamber.
- Hold the cloth from both ends and move it back and forth inside.
- Keep doing this until you don’t see any dust anymore.
Now wipe the remaining parts with a clean cloth.
Step 4
After cleaning all the parts, assemble them back carefully. You can wipe the exterior again to make the surface shiny. Now, fire the gun without bullets to make sure every part is placed at its position.
You can clean your gun using this method almost every other week. It takes less than 30 minutes and is very cheap!
Final Words – Gun Cleaning Tips
Cleaning your gun regularly has many benefits. It makes the gun more reliable and increases your knowledge about the parts of firearms and their functions.
Here a few tips you should follow while cleaning your gun for better results.
Set Your Work Area
A bright and well-lit room is better to clean your gun and other firearms. Experts suggest using your garage to clean your firearms since it is safer. Also, make sure that there is no open flame near you when you are cleaning your gun.
Make Sure the Gun Is Empty
Even if you only want to clean the exterior of your gun without disassembling it, it is essential to make sure that the weapon does not have any bullets. Keep your hands off the trigger, and while removing the shells, keep the gun pointed towards a safe direction, preferably a wall.
Keep your gun clean, so you can use it over the long-term.
