How to Clean the Outside of a Gun Like a Pro!

If you’re like us you love to take your guns out and spend the weekend out in the boonies or at the range plinking away at varmints or targets.

But you need to keep them in tip-top shape before they’re claimed the next weekend.

We’re here to show you how to clean the outside of a gun like a pro!

Before You Clean the Outside of a Gun

Gather up all your supplies and set up your cleaning area; you don’t want to be in the middle of cleaning the gun and have to stop to get something – distractions like this cause you to miss steps that may lead to a safety risk.

How to Clean the Outside of a Gun?

Tools

• Small container to put small parts in
• Chemicals needed to clean your gun (including lubricants, oils, and bore cleaner)
• Cleaning rod
• Bore brush (chose the proper barrel size)
• Boresnake
• Cleaning swabs
• Soft cloth or rags (disposable cloths are good)
• Disposable tray ( to catch anything that drips or falls)
• Cotton swabs
• Utility brush double-end
• Lint and fiber-free cleaning patches (the size you’re your gun)
• Gun and reel cloth with silicone (Luster cloth)
• Safety goggles

Step 1: Prepping is the Key

Setting up the proper space before cleaning the gun is essential.

This space should be away from other people, have great lighting and air circulation. Ideally, it should be in a garage, outer porch, or deck.

If you must do it inside, make sure there is good airflow, so you are not overcome with chemicals.

Do not use any surface used for food; chemicals used in cleaning your gun are toxic!

Set up your work area and cover the table with a non-slip rubber mat (or something that will protect the table as well as your gun and its parts.)

Remove all the live ammunition out of this area and make sure your gun is not loaded.

Step 2: Check the Manual

Everything you need to know about his gun and how it needs cleaning and maintaining is in this manual. Read it from cover to cover, so you know this gun well.

Step 3: Tools Needed for the Job

Assemble your tools in the list above. Make sure you have everything you will need.

There are gun cleaning kits on the market but not all of them have the tools you may like to clean a gun.

Create your own kit by purchasing what you use and storing it in a carrying case.

Cleaning the Outside of a Gun

Step 1: Removing the Magazine

Making sure your gun is not loaded by checking the barrel, and removing the magazine will keep you and anyone in that space safe.

Point the muzzle away from you and remove the magazine. Pulling your slide to the rear and locking it in position.

Make sure to look into the chamber and make sure that is empty.

Step 2: Barrel and Chamber Cleaning

Take apart the gun. Dry brush the chamber and barrel to remove the metal fouling and carbon,.

Next, use the bore brush to dry clean the barrel and the chamber. Start at the muzzle and go into the chamber.

Dip a cleaning patch in your bore solvent and place it at the tip of the cleaning rod.

Saturate the bore surface and chamber as you pull the cleaning patch through these and out the other side.

Now that it is full of debris do not pull it through a second time.

Set the gun aside and give the bore cleaner time to break down the fouling; this will take 10-15 minutes.

After the bore cleaner has done its job, use the bore brush (the same size as your barrel)  to loosen the fouling.

Using a new dry patch, run it through the bore, until the patch comes out free of debris (This may take multiple times before it is free of debris.)

Using the bore snake, apply a small amount of lubricant to the tail; using the action opening, drop the ball into the bore and pull it through and out the muzzle.

Pro tip: Never use oil to lubricate your gun!

If you are not using the gun immediately, lubricate the bore with a heavier lubricant. Before you use the gun again, you will need to remove this lubricant from the barrel!

Finish cleaning the feed ramp, barrel lug, barrel hood, and the barrel’s exterior.

Step 3: The Action: Lubricating and Cleaning

Use the double-ended utility brush to remove debris from the action and clean the action assembly with a small amount of solvent and the brush.

Once clean, use a dry cloth to ensure all action assembly parts are dry.

With lubricant and a cloth, put a light coat of the lubricant on the slide, pump, and bolt.

Pro tip: Do remember that too much lubricant will draw debris and gum up these parts.

Step 4: Remember the Magazines

Wear your safety goggles! Always use a solvent or a cleaning agent that is residue-free. Never lubricate a magazine (no petroleum!).

Instead, use magazine brushes and be careful when working with the magazine. Properly cleaning the magazine is essential to your safety!

Step 5: Firearm Reassembly and Check

Put the gun back together and ensure that all the parts are in good working order (especially the trigger and the safety!)

Make sure every moving part is working as it should! Once the gun’s inner workings are lubricated after being cleaned, we can start on the outside.

Step 6: Wiping Down the Outside of the Gun

If you don’t have a pre-silicone cloth, you can use a soft cloth and a few drops of silicone, rub it on the metal exterior of the gun.

Best Materials to Clean the Outside of a Gun

• Mineral Oil, a light variety, can be used on the outer metal of the gun to stop rust.
• Household Furniture Polish can be used on the stock and wooden parts of the gun only. Be sure to wipe off the residue that these will leave with a soft cloth.
• Car Paint Polish can also be used on your gun’s stock and wooden parts.
• Microcrystalline Wax has been used on stocks and in restoration of antique guns. Todays Rem-oil and Linseed oil work as good if not better.
• Sewing Machine Oil can be used on the metal exterior of the gun, be sure to use a small amount and a soft piece of clothes.
• Microfiber Cloth with a bit of Rem-Oil can be used on the exterior if you use the gun several times a week.

Gun Oil vs Gun Cleaner:

Advantages of Gun Oil

• Reduces Friction

The friction of the bolt carriers, slide rails, and sears when you shoot a bullet reduces when you use lubricating oil on these parts.

In addition, the longevity of your gun will be increased with lubricant use.

• Protects Against Rust

Gun oils come in with high-temperature velocity to keep them from hardening at cooler temperatures and stop the moisture from creating rust in your bore or outside the gun.

Rust and corrosion on the metal of your gun can cause the gun to malfunction, affect the gun’s accuracy, and shorten the gun’s life.

Things such as fingerprint salt and moisture, humidity, and dampness or wetness will cause rust and corrode your gun’s metal finish.

Advantages of Gun Cleaners

• Maintain the gun’s appearance and value

Cleaning your gun with solvent will remove residue, fouling, and grime, giving your gone a well-kept appearance, enhancing the value of your gun.

• Loosen residue

Gun cleaners help loosen carbon and copper residue in the bore and other key components (think of it like soaking dirty dishes in Dawn dish soap.)

What should you use?

Both! A well-maintained gun cleaning is a two-step process. First, clean your gun with solvent (gun cleaner), then lubricate it with gun oil.

Is Cleaning a Gun Important?

Taking care of your investment

Not only are guns expensive, but they can also be worth a small fortune as they get older and are well maintained. You want your gun to function and look its best when using it! A clean gun will last a long time.

Gun performance

A absence of lubrication can cause friction that breaks down the moving parts of your gun. Cleaning and lubricating the gun assures it functions as it should.

Gun safety

A clean and well-maintained gun is essential to accurate shooting, avoiding malfunctions, and offers better reliability.