Zaraki KenpachiGun history is a long and fascinating story. The first recorded firearm use dates back to 1364; however, the guns didn’t resemble anything we use today. Handguns didn’t even enter the scene until the late 1800s!
If you want to keep your firearm in great shape throughout the years, you’ll need to learn the best gun maintenance practices. From cleaning to storing, this short guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Read on to learn how to care for your gun, like a pro.
Proper Way to Disassemble Firearms
Safety first! One of the most significant parts of gun maintenance is learning how to disassemble your firearm safely.
Before you disassemble your firearms, you must ensure that it is unloaded. Always double-check that the magazine is out and the chamber is empty.
Now you can start disassembling things. The type of firearm you have will determine how you dismantle it. If you’re wondering what your next firearm should be, definitely check out this gun review. Then decide what option will suit your skill level and shooting style.
Glock Pistol
In a Glock pistol, remove the magazine and set the slide assembly to the rear of the handgun. Next, a pin holds a piece called a “trigger mechanism housing,” which keeps the trigger in place. After removing this pin, you can lift the housing, pull the trigger, and slide assembly forward and off the frame.
AR-15 Rifle
In an AR-15 rifle, first, remove the magazine and set the upper receiver on a tabletop on its back. Using the palm of your hand, support it by holding it just in front of where the magazine release catch sits. Next, you need to press down as you rotate the receiver takedown pin out the side of the receiver.
With both hands, push forward on the lower receiver in front of the trigger while pulling back on its upper section to separate it from the upper receiver.
Disassembling your gun is a great way to clean those hard-to-reach parts.
Cleaning a Gun
Did you completely disassemble the firearm? Once you’ve done so, use a bore brush soaked in solvent to clean the barrel of all copper fouling and powder residue.
Cleaning rods come in different sizes. Ensure that if a rod comes with the cleaning kit, it’s the correct size for your barrel. Also, make sure that you are using a manual or electric drill to spin the brush instead of your hand to ensure proper cleaning.
After brushing the barrel, run dry patches through until they come out clean. Follow up with a few wet patches soaked in solvent to remove any fouling or powder residue trace.
Many guns come with a cleaning kit that has everything you need to get started. If you don’t have one, there are many on the market to purchase at your local gun store. Some include firearm-specific oil, lubricating oil, patches, bore brushes, and more.
How often should you clean your gun? The answer is as often as you feel necessary.
If you’re planning to do a lot of shooting and the firearm is new or has been recently cleaned, you should clean before and after each use. Also, some guns will emit residue that may need to be cleaned more frequently than others (AR-15’s for example).
Try visiting an online forum for the type of gun you’re using. That way, you can get even more advice from experienced gun owners.
How to Store Firearms
You can do some things to ensure that your gun won’t be stolen(and it’s not just the locks). A few things that you can do is store it locked up, with a trigger lock, or in a safe.
If you’re worried about someone getting into your safe without your permission, you could also explore secure biometric options (i.e., fingerprint safes).
Trigger locks are great for keeping others away from your firearm, but they can also be helpful when trying to prevent injuries or accidents that may come as the result of mishandling.
Ammunition and Gun Maintenance
Always store your guns and ammunition separately! This is a crucial step in firearm safety, especially if there are kids in your house.
Storing ammo in plain sight presents the risk of leaving it available for anyone to take. Additionally, storing ammo with the guns could compromise the effectiveness of the ammo. Ideally, it would help if you kept ammunition at a cool temperature with low humidity.
Do you have to keep your ammunition in a hot or humid environment?
Perhaps you’re going on a hunting or camping trip. If the heat is going to be a factor, ensure you protect the ammo from moisture damage by placing the ammunition inside an airtight container or bag. You can prevent your ammunitions from corroding through rusting by coating them with a thin layer.
If you are storing multiple boxes of ammunition together, make sure they are in their original boxes. If you are storing ammo in a plastic container, make sure the bullets aren’t touching the sides. This could cause them to stick together when pulling out or putting away.
Maintaining a Gun Forever
Now you know some of the best gun maintenance tips. Working your way up from hand-guns, rifles, and shotguns will soon have you be able to strip down and clean your gun like a pro.
Since having the right cleaning supplies is the best place to start, go and get them today. Set aside a chunk of time and practice cleaning your gun. The more you practice, the easier it’ll be for you to care for your gun.
If you’re looking for some more great tips, we’ve got you covered. Just check out another article.
Hugh Hay
