Cleaning your combat firearm. Lubrication is key!

Recently I was asked to discuss the topic of gun cleaning. I think it is a vital topic to address and many times people tend to clean their guns incorrectly due to popular misconceptions regarding gun care.

Right off the bat, I will say with absolute certainty that the single most important aspect to cleaning a gun (any gun) is to maintain proper lubrication on all surfaces where metal to metal contact (High Friction areas) is part of the normal operation of the gun.

This means that anywhere on the gun where metal rubs against metal, you need to have lubrication on that area.

Now, to elaborate on this subject.....

Gun cleaning is not something that requires absolute spot free, spit shined detailing. You can have a gun that will function perfectly well for thousands of rounds, even under adverse conditions, as long as you maintain a proper lubrication on the metal to metal moving parts (as mentioned above.)

The military has a bad habit of nit picking every spot of dust that is found on a gun and they punish soldiers for having even the slightest amount of oil on the gun after "cleaning." This mentality has fueled a generation of gun owners who believe that a "clean" combat gun is spot free, dirt free and oil free.

Nothing can be farther from the truth!

A properly "cleaned" gun should be free of any mud, dirt and sand. It should also have a clear barrel (bore) and no foreign objects inside of the gun (lint, hair etc...).

BUT, and most importantly, a properly cleaned combat gun (including your daily carry gun and your battle rifle) should be lubricated liberally with a high quality lubricant (like "BreakFree CLP" http://www.botachtactical.com/breakfreeclp2.html . It Cleans, Lubricates and Protects and is an industry standard)
or Weapon Shield ( http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=220438 a newer product that has won high praise from professional and recreational shooters worldwide.)

"Gun grease" is also a very highly recommended lubricant ( http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=102762 ). This is more of a paste/grease that is usually inside a syringe and can be used as a lubricant on the metal to metal surfaces. The benefit of a gun grease over an oil is that the grease does not drip out after firing like oil will nor will it attract lint and sand like oil will.

I prefer to use both oil (CLP) and gun grease on my guns. I like to clean the gun (all metal surfaces) using the CLP, wipe it dry, and then apply a thin film of CLP to the high friction areas and then apply a thin line or dots of gun grease to those same high friction areas. Again, I use only a light film of oil and complement that oil with gun grease.

The process for the cleaning will go as follows:

1. Clear your gun and remove any ammunition from your immediate surroundings (safety first and safety last!!)
2. Disassemble your gun according to the proper disassembly instructions
3. Use a high pressure air canister to blow out any sand, grit, lint or loose dirt from the internal areas of the gun
4. Spray the metal areas (internal and external) of your gun with BreakFree CLP (or other quality cleaning/lubrication agent). Allow CLP to sit on metal for a few minutes.
5. Clean your barrel with a copper solvent and CLP. Run multiple patches (or your Boresnake http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4926763&sourceid=1500000000000003260410&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=4926763 through) the barrel until the barrel is more dry than oily. You DO want a spot clean barrel with no residue left over. Make certain to clean the feed ramp as well.
6. Use an old cotton T-shirt and an old toothbrush to wipe/brush down all metal surfaces of the gun that have been sprayed with CLP (including the exterior surfaces like the slide) until those surfaces are clean. It may never become spotless but clean it as best as you can.
7. Now, apply a thin film of CLP on the high friction surfaces
8. Apply your gun grease on the same high friction areas
9. Reassemble your gun
10. Dry fire your gun to test that you performed proper reassembly
11. Reload properly (gun up, magazine in) and march on!

Look at gun cleaning this way; You do NOT want your gun dripping in oil as that will become a nightmare of attracting every piece of lint, dirt and sand on earth to your gun.

You also NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER want a dry gun (oil or grease free.)

The ultimate solution to the question, and the best performance for your gun that you rely upon to save your life or the lives of others, is to make certain that it is properly and thoroughly lubricated at all times and free of any foreign objects.