How to Clean a Pistol or Handgun?

Are you struggling with cleaning your small handgun? I know cleaning a big shotgun and a small handgun isn’t the same. For pistol or handgun cleaning, you got to be very careful since anything wrong can cause you to end up with a scratchy or damaged (rarely) bore.

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to clean a pistol or handgun, we are here for that! We know a lot of beginners struggle with this thing and that’s why we thought to come up with an in-depth pistol cleaning guide.

Have a look, hope this helps!

Table of Contents

Steps of Cleaning a Pistol or Handgun

Step 1: cleaning kit

For making this cleaning process successful you must need the cleaning kit. Without a cleaning kit it impossible to clean your gun. A cleaning kit will also help you to save your time. If you want to try it without the proper kit, then it has a high chance that you would end up damaging your gun. You have to be careful when buying a cleaning kit. Because some newbie makes a mistake they buy a cheap plastic cleaning kit.

The cheap plastic kit will easily damage your handgun. So don’t buy a cheap plastic kit, that will make your experience terrible. Try to buy a better quality cleaning kit. For cleaning a pistol or handgun you don’t need all the equipment which has to get in your cleaning kit. You will need some specific equipment.

You will be needing the following items for an efficient Gun cleaning

Cleaning solvent
Lubricant
Gun oil
A bore snake
A patch holder and patches
Gun Cleaning rod
A nylon brush
Flashlight
Cotton swabs
Microfiber cloths.

Step 2: Unload your gun

Before starting the cleaning process you just need to follow this process. This is very important whenever you decided to clean your gun at first you need to unload your gun. This process is not only for Shotgun or pistol. For every type of gun, you need to remove the entire bullet from your gun.

While cleaning most of the accidents happen for this reason. At first, remove your magazine or gun chamber. Although you remove the gun chamber there is a chance to have bullet stuck in the. So you need to check them also. After removing the gun bullet you need to check them again and again.

Step 3: Disassemble your gun

Now you have to disassemble your gun. If you are a newbie to disassemble your gun then you will follow manufacturer recommendations. Every gun comes with its user. You just need to follow the instruction. If you successfully disassemble you’re all the guns parts then it will be very easy for you to clean perfectly.

For semi Semi-automatic pistols and rifles you will need to disassemble these following parts.

Barrel
Slide
Guide rod
Frame
Magazine

Step 4: Choose a place

Before starting the whole cleaning you need to choose a place where you wanted to run this cleaning process. Remember you need to choose a place which is a well-ventilated area. Air circulation is very much important while cleaning your gun.

Solvent fumes are not good for human health because they are noxious. Also, you have to apply lubricant in this cleaning. They are also the same as the solvent. In indoor without proper air circulation, you will feel suffocated.

After that cover the chosen area with plastic or newspaper. It will help you to clean that area easily.

Step 5: Clean guns barrel

Now you will need a bore snake (Have a look at the best bore snakes of the market). Apply a small amount of gun oil into it. Put the bore snake into the barrel of the gun two or three times. After that, pick the gun cleaning rod, patch holder and compatible cotton swabs. Now you would want to add the patch holder to the rod. Plus, add some cotton at the top of the patch holder, which will be beneficial.

Now put the muzzle into the barrel. It will help you to clean the barrel metal foul. Also using this cleaning rod you will need to clean the muzzle of your gun. Remember when cleaning the barrel you need to push the cleaning road. Don’t pull too much. While pulling and pushing using your hand softly. If you push hard you can damage your gun.

Step 6: Remove the debris

Now you have to remove the patch holder from the cleaning rod. Then attach the bore brush into the cleaning rod, run the bore brush into the barrel. Repeat this cleaning process 3 to 4 times. After some time you will notice that all the debris came out from the gun barrel.

Step 7: Apply lubricant

Now this time you have to apply the lubricant. But have to care while applying lubricant. Take a cotton mob and attach it to the front of the cleaning rod. After that take a few drops lubricant to the cotton cop and run it into the barrel. Don’t take too much lubricant into the cotton mob. Two or three drops are ok.

Step 8: Dry all the parts

Now take a microfiber cloth and start rubbing all the parts using it. It will help to remove all the oil and lubricant. Now leave them some time for dry.

Step 9: Assemble the gun

Now your gun is completely clean. Assemble the entire gun parts. If you aren’t able to assemble the gun then check the user manual.

Conclusion

If you have gone through the guide, you must know how to clean a pistol or handgun. We have tried our best to keep the guide as simple as possible so that everyone understands. I hope it will help you with cleaning your firearm effectively.