Clean Your Rifle: 7 Easy Steps and Maintenance Tips

Cleaning your rifle is an important part of gun maintenance. Make sure that you do it properly and regularly to maintain accuracy and longevity. Cleaning is not difficult, but it does require some basic knowledge and the right tools.

Why You Need to Clean Your Rifle

A clean rifle is a happy rifle. Or, at least, a functional one. If you don’t keep your firearm clean, it will start to malfunction and might even jam on you when you need it most.

Not only is a clean firearm more accurate than a dirty one, but it’s also safer. All that built-up grime and gunpowder residue can cause your rifle to explode if it gets too dirty.

So, for the sake of your safety and the functionality of your weapon, make sure to give it a good cleaning every now and then.

Steps to take:

You will need cleaning solvent, copper solvent (optional), patches, and lubricant.

First, make sure that it is unloaded and the safety is on. Remove the bolt and magazine (if applicable), and then disassemble the rifle according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Each part should be handled separately using a cleaning rod and bore brush to scrub the inside of the barrel.
Add cleaning solvent to a brush that is sized to the rifle’s caliber to break up any built-up dirt and grime.
You should then attach a jag to your cleaning rod, along with a patch and cleaning solvent, to remove this build-up. After using a patch with solvent, try going in with a few dry patches.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the barrel is grime-free, the patches should be light grey or almost white.
Use copper solvent after a few rounds of the cleaning solvent (if needed). Remember to go back in with the cleaning solvent after using the copper solvent to avoid damaging your barrel.
Dry all of the parts thoroughly before reassembling the rifle.
Reassemble the rifle, making sure that all of the parts are tight and secure. Apply a small amount of lubricant to all moving parts.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your gun will be in good condition and ready to use when you need it.

How Often Should You Clean Your Rifle?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including how often you use your firearm and what kind of environment you store it in.

Generally speaking, you should clean your firearm once a month.

If you shoot more infrequently, try to get this done at least once every few months.

If you use your rifle often, it is exposed to a humid climate, or if it is exposed to harsh conditions, you may need to do this on a more regular basis or after every shooting session.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Rifle

Scrub the bore after each use. The easiest way to do this is with a bore snake. Run the bore snake through the barrel several times, using a cleaning solvent if necessary.

Disassemble and clean the bolt assembly and other moving parts periodically. This will ensure that your rifle continues to function smoothly.

Wipe down the exterior of the gun with a cloth after each use. This will remove any dirt or debris that could potentially cause problems down the road.

Store your rifle in a dry, protected place when not in use. This will help to prevent rust and other damage.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your weapon clean and functioning properly for many years to come.

It is critical to keep your rifle well-maintained. There are many ways to go about this, these are just the general steps we like to use!

For greater detail, you can consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean your particular model, or you can check out this video tutorial from a former Army Ranger sniper team leader for visual aid.

With proper care, your rifle will provide years of reliable service. So, be sure to keep it clean and well-maintained!

For a custom build, check out our Build Your Own Rifle page, or contact us today at (360) 559-6210

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