04/12/2020
Basic Pistol Cleaning:
Semiautomatic Pistol Cleaning
The weapon featured is a G***k 17, 9mm.
While field stripping and cleaning your semiautomatic pistol, remember these important steps:
1. Safety check the weapon.
2. Remove live ammunition from the cleaning area.
3. Remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release and letting the magazine slide out of the magazine well or by stripping the magazine. Place the magazine away from the weapon.
4. To lock the slide to the rear, pull on it and engage the slide stop or catch.
5. Visually and physically inspect the chamber, magazine well, and barrel. Look for ammunition casings and obstructions.
6. Remove the ammunition from the magazine(s).
7. Place the ammunition in a secure area away from the weapon.
8. Field strip the pistol and magazines.
CleaningTools
Cleaning tools are caliber specific. Use the tools designated for the specific caliber of your weapon. A larger caliber cleaning brush or patch tip does not fit in a small weapon and may cause damage.
A small tool may not completely clean a large firearm. It is recommended that you observe manufacturer’s guidelines. Make sure the tools you use do not invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty or conflict with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The weapon cleaning kit could include a bore brush, solvent, patches (cotton patches absorb more), nylon cleaning brush, Bore Snake®, cleaning pad, gun oil/lubricant
(non penetrating), rags, pipe cleaners, and Q-Tips®.
Solvent and Lubricant—Several types and brands of cleaners and solvents are available. Use solvent and lubricant specifically designed for fi****ms
maintenance.
Patches and Swabs—Consider the weapon bore when choosing patches. Different materials have different absorption qualities.
Cleaning and Lubricating the Semiautomatic Pistol
1. Remove all lead, powder, debris, and dirt. These substances can cause a
malfunction if they build up. Be sure to remove all of these materials.
a. Use a brushing technique to remove loose objects, loosen other substances, and help solvents and cleaners work better.
Brush all surfaces of your firearm.
The bore brush should clear the bore after each stroke. Push the brush all the way in, then bring it all the way out. Make sure to use a soft, non marring brush on the firearm’s outer finished surface. Do not use a brass brush on the firearm’s exterior: it can damage the surface.
b. Brush with solvent—Solvents are designed to dissolve and loosen lead, powder, debris, and dirt. You can also use them to clean substances that brushing does not, such as lead, powder, or debris.
2. Pay special attention to the following areas:
magazines—Clean magazines thoroughly and wipe dry. If magazines do not function properly, the firearm can malfunction.
bore—As the projectile travels down the bore, it leaves behind small amounts of the material it is made of. To thoroughly clean the bore, you should insert the cleaning brush into the bore’s breech end, push the
cleaning brush through until it clears the muzzle, and then pull it all the way out. Repeat this process until the bore of the barrel is clean.
Recoil spring and guide—Clean thoroughly; dirt and debris hinder the weapon’s blowback and cycle function.
Slide—Clean the entire slide, outside and inside. Pay special attention to the slide rails. You can use Q-Tips.
Extractor—Clean the extractor thoroughly. It must be able to catch the rim of a fired cartridge as the weapon cycles. If not, the next round cannot feed properly and a malfunction results.
fIring pin hole—Observe the firing pin hole to ensure that it is free of all debris.
3. After brushing these parts, wipe them with a clean patch and a small amount of cleaning solvent.
4. With a clean, dry patch, wipe all parts again to remove the solvent and debris. You may need to repeat this action until the semiautomatic pistol is clean.
Lubricating your weapon is very important. Check your weapon at regular intervals to ensure it is properly lubricated. Also, check the manufacturer’s recommended lubrication points and amounts.
1. Lubricate the frame or slide rails to reduce drag or friction between surfaces when the weapon cycles.
2. Lubricate any other points recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Remove excess lubrication. A little lubrication goes a long way. Excess lubrication can harm ammunition. Wipe it off using a clean, dry cloth. Heavy lubrication
or solvents may destroy the primer and powder of loaded cartridges. Wipe the inside of the magazine dry; leave no lubricant. (
When you finish cleaning and lubricating your pistol:
1. Reassemble the semiautomatic pistol and its magazines.
2. Perform a function check of the pistol for proper operation.
3. Return the pistol to safe storage, or holster and secure it.
4. Properly dispose of all cleaning supplies.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water.
