If you own a firearm, you probably know gun safety practices like proper handling, storage, and use. Cleaning and maintaining firearm components is an often overlooked aspect of gun safety. Regular cleaning helps maintain a gun’s condition, keeping it shooting accurately and safely. Here are four ways clean gun parts make shooting safer:
Prevents Malfunctions
Over time, carbon, debris, and unburnt powder accumulate in your gun, clogging components like the firing pin channel. Dirt or debris around the firing pin or in the chamber may cause misfires, which occur when the firing pin strikes the primer but fails to ignite the cartridge. Blockages may also prevent the smooth movement of the slide, bolt, or trigger mechanism, causing malfunctions like failure to fire, failure to eject, or double feeding. Incomplete discharge occurs when debris inside your gun’s barrel keeps fired rounds stuck inside the gun, potentially causing the gun to explode when you fire a subsequent round. Clean gun parts regularly to reduce the risk of dangerous malfunctions.
Helps Identify Damaged Parts
Cleaning your gun allows you to familiarize yourself with its components, making it easier to identify when a part is not working correctly. To clean a firearm well, it must be disassembled, each component cleaned and lubricated separately, and then reassembled. During cleaning, check for signs of damage and corrosion and test each component’s functionality. Regularly inspecting your gun allows for timely repairs or replacement of damaged parts, eliminating the safety hazards of worn-out gun components.
Enhances Performance
Clean guns are more reliable and have increased accuracy and predictability when fired. In a clean gun, components move smoothly, helping to ensure consistent operation when the trigger is pulled. Removing dirt, oil, and debris prevents potential clogging of the firearm’s trigger mechanism, making it easier to control. Clean trigger mechanisms also fire faster than dirty mechanisms, helping to increase precision.
When a firearm operates, powder accumulates in the barrel and chamber, gradually collecting in layers. Powder residue jams the gun’s moving parts and alters the bore’s smoothness. This may distort a bullet’s trajectory when shooting. Misaligned shots increase the likelihood of hitting an unintended target. Regularly cleaning your gum eliminates obstructions in the barrel, allowing the bullet to travel in a consistent path with minimal friction.
Avoids Rust
Corrosive ammunition leaves behind salts after ignition, and using too many solvents to remove salt residue without deep-cleaning your gun may cause rusting. When rust appears on a gun’s external parts, it is likely already inside your gun. This could require extensive part replacement or end the life of your firearm. It is best to clean your gun after each use if you use corrosive ammo.
Keep Your Gun Parts in Top Condition
Regularly cleaning and maintaining gun parts makes them less vulnerable to wear and tear, prolonging your firearm’s lifespan. Cleaning and lubricating your gun’s components minimizes the stress and friction produced during operation. This reduces the risk of dangerous malfunctions. Talk to your parts supplier today for tips on how to clean different components of your gun.
