Video: Cleaning a Semi-Automatic Handgun

Transcript for Semi Auto Handgun Cleaning

On screen: Cleaning Your Semi-Automatic Handgun

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your firearm provided in your instruction manual. This content is a general guideline for this style of firearm.

Speaker fires two shots with a handgun.

One of the big questions we always get asked is, how often should I clean my gun? Well, that has a lot of different answers because there's a lot of different variables, such as where you live, your weather, your humidity, the dust around it. The list goes on and on and on, including how much you actually shoot it. So, we always say, make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Alright. The first thing we want to do any time we're working with a firearm is make sure that it's safe.

We want to go ahead and take the magazine out and all the ammunition, making sure that there's nothing in the chamber still. And we want to set those all in a different place from our work area.

Speaker places magazine and ammunition in a gun cabinet.

This is the most important step. Do not skip this.

Now that we have a safe firearm, we're going to go ahead and disassemble. And it couldn't be any simpler than it is on this gun.

The first thing we're going to do is go ahead and release our slide. When you do, you're going to notice there's a pin. It's a takedown pin right here under the slide, midway on the frame. We're gently going to use the screwdriver to take the takedown pin out of the firearm. And once you have this takeout pin out, it's as easy as removing the slide forward.

You have your frame. We're going to set that to the side. And we have our recoil spring assembly—going to take that off. Be careful here. You want to make sure that you don't lose this inner pin of the assembly.

And the last thing is your barrel—going to pick it up, move it forward just a little bit, and then you can take it out. And there we go.

Speaker places the handgun on a desk for cleaning.

We're first going to put a bronze brush on our pistol rod and run it through our barrel from breech to muzzle to break up any build-up. Now, we're going to put a jag on our pistol rod, apply some gun oil cleaner to a patch, and run it through the barrel from breech to muzzle.

Now, we'll run a clean patch through the barrel the same way. We're going to repeat this process until the patch comes out clean. Once we have a clean patch, we will then apply lubricating gun oil and slide it through the barrel. We will also use lubricating gun oil on a patch and wipe down the outside of the barrel.

Next, we're going to use a utility brush and clean up the inside of the LCP too. To get in some of the tight areas, we're going to use a cleaning pick. These are great for hard-to-reach areas.

Once we have the build-up cleaned up, we're going to go ahead and put some lubricating oil on a patch and wipe down the slide. Make sure to get all those hard-to-reach areas, especially the areas prone to build-up.

Now, we will add some lubricating gun oil to any parts that have wear on them and in our slide cuts. I like to put a drop on the back of the slide cuts and then set the slide muzzle down, letting the lubricant make its way down the cuts.

Next, we're going to use the brush on the frame, breaking up all the build-up just like with the slide.

We will put some lubricating gun oil on a patch and get it all wiped down, followed by some drops of lubricant on any areas that have moving parts or that have visible wear marks.

Last, we're going to use some patches that have lubricating gun oil on them and wipe down the takedown pin and the recoil spring assembly.

Once we have everything cleaned up, we're going to put it back together by reversing the steps to disassemble it.

Alright. Now that we've got it all put back together, we need to function test it real fast to make sure everything works as it should.

So, we're going to go ahead and release the slide. Pick a safe direction and pull the trigger.

Now, while we're holding the trigger, we'll pull the slide back and release.

Now, we're going to release the trigger. We'll hear it reset. There's the reset.

And we'll pull the trigger again. It's good to go.

Now, it's time to secure your firearm in a safe location as per the manufacturer's recommendations. Or, if it's your everyday carry, go ahead and load it back up and put it in your holster.