quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
I just wanted to know if letting them sit for up to two weeks after shooting them before cleaning them had any ill effects.

I have never in recent times experienced or heard of problems resulting from not cleaning guns shot with modern primers and powder for extended periods, and assuming they’re not attacked by ordinary rust. I did, however, see it happen a long time ago in a land far away.

The following is an excerpt from a war story I posted here about 19 years ago. As I realize that few people are actually interested in war stories (a big part of the reason veterans “never talked about it” IMO), I won’t repost the entire tale, but here is the part that’s relevant to the question:

“The first weapons our clerk found for us were M16s that he talked some Special Forces unit out of. That wasn’t too hard and not surprising since the bores of the rifles looked like used sewer pipes and the rest of their innards were far from perfect. The rifles did, nevertheless, work and after finding some ammunition for them one of the first things we did was to load everything up and trek out to an informal range on the edge of where we felt safe—mostly. We had a great time improving our proficiency at Uncle’s expense for some hours and then went back home. Once there, and since the sun was getting low, we split up into two groups: those of us who cleaned our weapons, and those who thought that after a long, hot afternoon in the sun, beer was the first order of business. It also turned out that beer was the second and many subsequent orders of business that day.

“We didn’t normally have any direct need for our rifles (which was why, I’m sure, that the Army didn’t give us any), so a couple of our M16s just stood in a corner for a couple of weeks. Finally, however, one of our group pointed out to the laggards that we might need their firepower if something involving unfriendly natives with their own automatic weapons were to occur. At that point the two started the cleaning process but gave up the effort when they discovered that the firing residues from the range session had left the guns seized up and unable to be disassembled. I never decided what caused the problem: old and early-production ammunition coupled with the high humidity, the tracer rounds we fired, the poor original condition of the weapons themselves, or, perhaps, the beer and barbecue sauce that had been spilled on them. To this day I have a clear recollection of those partially-disassembled rifles lying on an empty desk in our offices. …”

I clean and inspect mine every time I get back from the range. And if I don't go to the range often I still take them out and inspect them every few months and maybe run a patch through the bore.

Corrosive: At the range before leaving.
Everything else: When I have time.

Cleaning regimen depends on the firearm to me. Nicely blued finishes and walnut stocks get more attention from me than synthetic stocked, stainless steel and/or coated firearms. All deserve a function check/inspection.

I shoot once a week, my "shooter" guns get cleaned once or twice a year weather they need it or not! Of course the expensive non Glock type guns may get more attention.

I'd say after the range use...

Unless I read the question wrong

I generally swab the bore until it is reasonably clean, and then do an 80% clean of the "action area" when I return from the range.

Every so often, I'll clean more thoroughly, including a field strip.

I used to shoot two or three times a week at IDPA/USPSA matches, and I cleaned less per shooting session then. A quick bore snake, and a quick wipe down of the guts, and re-lube. Every 1000 rounds or so, I'd do a more complete cleaning.

The only pistol I clean every time after range use is my duty pistol. Other than that, unless it's BP, whenever!!!!!

I clean them every time I shoot them. Necessary? probably not but it's how my Dad thought me in a different time, with different guns. I'm certain today's guns will run for many many rounds without issue. Still, I clean them for piece of mind.

I do! I actually look forward to cleaning my guns.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
I can’t imagine everyone gets to their guns the same day they shoot.

When I lived in Alaska, I had a buddy who practically every week we went together to the members only hours at the shooting range. He viewed both shooting and cleaning as equally enjoyable parts of the hobby, and was shocked I viewed cleaning as drudgery only done every 4th or 5th session (quick wipe of the rails and quick application of slide glide prior to a range session is my in between cleaning norm). I'm pretty sure he cleaned his several times in between range sessions.

I'm on vacation tomorrow, and my old competition gun is a filthy pig that maybe I'll clean up and take to the range.

I clean my guns when the lube starts to wear thin.

In 2021, lube is far more important than clean.

Detail clean and change springs every 10k.

You can take the man out of the Army, but you can’t take the Army out of me. I am compelled to clean each one and inspect it after each use. To this day, there is something calming to me about cleaning my weapons. I suppose it’s sort of like fishing. When I’m doing one single task I’m not having to think about the other hundred I have on the honey-do list.

Hunting rifle doesn't get cleaned until the season is done. Much lower round count then the others - which get cleaned after every 500 rounds or 2 range trips.

I used to clean them as soon as I got home. Now its usually within a couple days.

Days, weeks, months, years, never... all of the above.

I try to wipe down the outside the same day if possible. If not, at least before they get put away.