What to Use to Clean a Gun? A Comprehensive Guide
Cleaning a gun is a crucial maintenance task that should be done regularly to ensure the rifle or pistol performs optimally and safely. The good news is that cleaning your gun is relatively easy as long as you have the right tools and materials.
What You Need
Before we dive into what to use to clean your gun, here are some essential items you’ll need:
- Gun cleaning brush (e.g., bristle brush, nylon brush, or plastic brush)
- Gun cleaning rod and patch (with a cable or string type)
- Gun cleaning patches ( paper or cotton cloth)
- Gun cleaning solvent or oil
- Gun lubricant or silicone spray (optional)
Cleaning Riffle or Pistol Brushes
First, let’s talk about the importance of using a cleaning brush that’s suitable for your firearm. Make sure to choose the right brush type (bristle, nylon, or plastic) for the specific cleaning you’re planning to do:
- For general cleaning: Bristle or plastic brushes with stiff bristles are a good all-around choice, as they work well in tight spaces.
- For precision cleaning: Nylon brush with soft to medium brush bristles should be preferred, as it won’t scratch the firearm surface.
- For heavy residue removal: Bristle or rough-textured nylon brushes come in handy to remove residue and dirt built-up, but be gentle to not scratch the barrel.
For cleaning specific types of gun, use brushes specifically made for them (e.g., Glock pistols, shotgun, or handgun).
| Brush Comparison Table: | Bristle | Nylon | Plastic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard surfaces | No | Sometimes | Sometimes | |
| Loose residue | Good | Great | Okay | |
| Light cleaning | Better | Ideal | Okay |
Chemical Cleaners and Cleaners with Cotton Patches
Chemical cleaners for guns are the most conventional method, consisting of mild solvents dissolved in chemical compounds. Keep in mind that these are not your average household chemicals! To avoid damaging surfaces, here are some basic guidelines on what to clean with (and avoid cleaning with chemical cleaners):
Recommendations:
- Odorless Solvent – for cleaning exposed metal surface, ejection ports and chamber.
Breakdown solvents: for dissolving carbon corrosion, copper-based fouling, and debris.
- Avoid for cleaning brass, copper alloys, plastics, and polymers that can react harshly!
Recommendations vs. Household Materials: Chemical Name Effective for Unrecommended vs. Household Cleaning Silicone Spray Corrosion protection Paint, clear coat, synthetic materials
