Cleaning too much can cause problems

[Larry]

I heard from a gunsmith that over-cleaning can wear parts faster. I'm now paranoid I've been cleaning too often. What's the actual balance between not enough and too much?

 

[BearBio]

One of the great rimfire gurus (Can't remember who) shot 2" blocks 10,000 times w/o cleaning. No change in accuracy.

On the other hand, with some 22 lever actions (and presumably other action types such as a Mossberg 430 semi-auto) such as Mossberg Palominos, too frequent cleaning, followed by improper storage can damage the stock. Storage in an upright position allows excess oil to drain into the rear of the action and soften the stock. This can result in a split. I store my lever actions muzzle down. I bought a Palomino for a good price on Gunbroker with a large chip missing. We tried to replace it (a friend is a good woodworker and has repaired quality shotgun stocks). He brought it back, along with a replacement piece from a local gunsmith friend and stated it couldn't be glued. I figured what the heck, stripped it down, and it took a couple of weeks of degreasers and acetone, but we got it to stick (file for future reference, friends and neighbors!) but it did and my friend did a great job on reshaping it. You can hardly tell it was broken!

Gotta brag:

After repair @ 20 yards. Weaver C-4.

Also, using the wrong brush can accelerate wear at the muzzle (e.g. hard stainless steel rather than brass), but I would imagine that might be more of an issue with classic (and older) guns. I imagine so could steel rods if slightly too large, etc.

Overall, except for the oil drainage problem, I have never had any problem in 50+ years of shooting.

Good luck!

 

[Unshaven2897]

One of the great rimfire gurus (Can't remember who) shot 2" blocks 10,000 times w/o cleaning. No change in accuracy.

Adoph Topperwein. San Antonio fairgrounds, Dec 15, 1906. Shot 72,500 wood blocks tossed 20-30' vertically from a range of not less than 25' with a .22. He missed nine of them. Used 3 rifles and handed them off for reloading while he continued. Others tried to beat the record in later times but the rules changed and they missed many more blocks.

From the out of print book "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross. If you have a copy don't loan it out. It's worth pretty big bucks now.

 

[CoyoteHunter]

Over cleaning the barrel?

If that is what you are referring to, then you need to clean the barrel until it's clean! Some calibers are notorious for barrel fowling with only a dozen or so shots, like a .17 cal. center fire.

Usually when you have removed all the copper fowling, then enough is enough. Then again, some barrels will still shoot good with a lot of copper fowling, so when the accuracy goes wild, then start cleaning.

You can definitely damage a barrel by not cleaning it the proper way also!

If you need more on “how to clean the barrel” the proper way, then just ask.

 

[Smasher]

I heard the same thing from a gunsmith I know. Scrubbing too hard can mess things up more than a little dirt. Now, I just focus on using the right oil and cleaning easily instead of trying to make everything perfect.

 

[Unshaven2897]

Also, using the wrong brush can accelerate wear at the muzzle (e.g. hard stainless steel rather than brass),

Just curious what you use a stainless brush to do? I have a few but avoid unless only absolutely necessary and then only a few strokes.

 

[BearBio]

Just curious what you use a stainless brush to do? I have a few but avoid unless only absolutely necessary and then only a few strokes.

Eff if I know!!!