Cleaning

[BrassMonkey]

Should I be cleaning the slide and frame of my Kimber with Solvent? I have been cleaning it with patches and a dry cloth just to get off dust and little threads and whatnot. Then I oil it down until it is kinda wet looking and then rub the oil off with dry patches until it looks dry again. Then I re-oil or grease the metal to metal parts like slide rails, barrel inside and out.

[Venus Pax]

As long as you're taking the gun apart to clean, you're doing well.

My dad used to tell me that if you take good care of your guns, you're descendants will be able to shoot them when you're gone.

[nuparadigm]

Should I be cleaning the slide and frame of my Kimber with Solvent? I have been cleaning it with patches and a dry cloth just to get off dust and little threads and whatnot. Then I oil it down until it is kinda wet looking and then rub the oil off with dry patches until it looks dry again. Then I re-oil or grease the metal to metal parts like slide rails, barrel inside and out.

I'm guessing that your question is about using solvent after the weapon has been fired.

After it's been fired, yes, you might want to clean the inside of the slide with solvent. Pay particular attention to the rail cuts. Burnt powder residue combined with the grease or oil you put on your rails and rail cuts creates a gunk which is never a good thing to leave in the weapon. If it isn't cleaned, then it'll begin to build up.

Naturally, after the inside of the slide is de-gunked, then it needs to be lubed again with whatever grease or oil turns you on the most.

Hope this helps.

[Stupid]

OK, I am in the trend of "don't babysit your gun."

I have heard people who use hot water, soup, cold water, detergent, blow dryer, gun oil including but not limited to power drills to clean their guns. Yes, in that order!!!

OK, as long as the rail, the barrel, sometimes, the ramp is lubbed. I wouldn't worry too much. Any modern gun should be able to fire 5000 without cleaning and without a glitch except for high pression rifles.

Majority of us fire that many in our life time.

Should I be cleaning the slide and frame of my Kimber with Solvent? I have been cleaning it with patches and a dry cloth just to get off dust and little threads and whatnot. Then I oil it down until it is kinda wet looking and then rub the oil off with dry patches until it looks dry again. Then I re-oil or grease the metal to metal parts like slide rails, barrel inside and out.

[MoJo]

Should I be cleaning the slide and frame of my Kimber with Solvent? I have been cleaning it with patches and a dry cloth just to get off dust and little threads and whatnot. Then I oil it down until it is kinda wet looking and then rub the oil off with dry patches until it looks dry again. Then I re-oil or grease the metal to metal parts like slide rails, barrel inside and out.

If you are just cleaning the gun because you've been carrying it then what you are doing is OK. If you've been firing it then a little solvent will make it easier to get the firing residue off. Don't put much oil and no grease inside the barrel due to the possibility of damaging your barrel.

Remember, more guns are damaged by improper cleaning and over cleaning than are damaged by not cleaning.

[Thane]

[snip]
Any modern gun should be able to fire 5000 without cleaning and without a glitch except for high pression rifles.
[/snip]

I'm gonna disagree somewhat with that number. Yes, 5000 over the course of a few days, shooting everyday, shouldn't bother the gun. But if you let it "set," and let moisture get into the powder residue, it can turn into a sort of hard gum, which will slow the slide down as it cycles and cause jams. It's sort of like adding water to cement mix.

Fire 500 rounds one day, and 500 the next, you'll likely have no problems. But fire 100, stick the gun back in your holster, and sweat on it for a week without cleaning, and you'll probably get a jam at your next range session.

The exception might be the plastic wonder-guns. I know of Glocks that have gone for many thousands of rounds between cleanings. But most semi-autos aren't that tolerant.

[Stupid]

An early version of 1911 will do that many without a problem. The 1911s nowadays can do 100 without stoppage if you are lucky.

I have documents showing, 1911 (test done actually in 1927), Glock and 92FS do the 5000 rd tests without a hitch.

I do agree with the rest of your comment. Don't let your gun sit for a long time after some shooting. It indeed gums up the gun. Since you have a 1911 type gun, I would seriously suggest a good cleaning after each shooting. 1911 type does require more lub.

My point obviously is don't over-clean, nor should you not clean at all.

The exception might be the plastic wonder-guns. I know of Glocks that have gone for many thousands of rounds between cleanings. But most semi-autos aren't that tolerant.