How Often Do You Clean Your Conceal Carry Pistol? Probably Not Enough: Lessons From the Range
The thought crossed my mind a while back, if I needed my firearm would it fire, or not. You see I know how long it's been since I cleaned that weapon, that's why I was concerned. How often should I clean my conceal carry pistol? I do know the answer now, and it's way more often than I have been.
I earned my Texas Concealed Carry License three years ago, I am a proud 2nd Amendment supporter, NRA member, and a competitive shooter at the Texarkana Gun Club, so this is a little embarrassing to admit, but I haven't cleaned my carry pistol in a long time. I found out just how dangerous that can be the other day at the range when I decided to shoot that very gun that I knew was really dirty. Not dangerous in the sense that it might hurt me, but dangerous in that, if I needed it in a real self-defense situation, would it work? The last thing I want to hear is a click with no bang and that's exactly what it did at the range, click, no bang. Now I have shot this weapon before and it shoots fine when it's clean. Not so much when it's dirty. Good little piece of information right there.
Suddenly I'm thinking a small revolver might be a better choice... they always go bang.
Anyway, after pouring through videos and articles about this subject it all boils down to this, for me, I need to wipe down and inspect my conceal carry gun every week, and break it down and clean it every month or so to make sure it's in optimal condition, just in case.
Now that's me, a decision based on how I carry, where I carry and how often I actually shoot this gun. Your answers may be different, so do some research, watch some videos.
The fact is there are a ton of people out there just like me, we earned our CCL, have taken our carry guns almost everywhere with us and we pray they will work when and if we ever need them. If you don't take your pistol out and practice, become proficient with it, clean and maintain it, then it simply may not work if that dreadful day ever comes.
There are as many different ways to clean and solutions to use in cleaning your firearm as there are people who will train you to do it. YouTube is a great source, I have provided one video below, but if you don't like the way this guy does it, go search for more, there are plenty.
The only time I want to ever hear that "click no bang" thing again is when the magazine is empty.
Remember the four rules for gun safety:
- Treat every gun as if it is loaded at all times.
- Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy, even if it's not loaded.
- Never put your finger on the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Be sure of your target and what's behind it.
Be safe and happy shooting!