Cleaning a gun I just bought

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 12:55 am

I just got a used sig sauer 226. I want to clean it, but I see that there is a bit of oil seeping from the takedown lever, the slide release, and the decocker. Would you recommend I buy a inexpensive kit and clean it or leave it for a while. I just took it to the range the other day and wiped it down afterward. There doesn't seem to be much seepage after firing it.

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 6:31 am

Asking a question like this is like going back to the old Ford or Chevy question.
Everyone has a different answer.
So I will give you mine now.
Oil seeping from various location is too much oil. That much oil would seem to attract dirt and crud. Most of the time you could say that you could not clean a gun too much, unless you are wearing out the parts somehow by disassembly.
A slight bit of grease on the moving, rubbing parts would be great, but again not over greased.
A silicone rag does wonders for keeping a slight shine and "slickness" on the metal parts.
Any powder residue needs to be wiped off and removed as soon as possible in order to keep it from attacking the metal parts.
OK, now for some other ideas....

Member **Founders Club** Joined: Dec 12, 2007 Posts: 2562

I'll stir the pot -

Do you clean each firearm after each trip to the range (or trip hunting) or not?

I do, but perhaps I shouldn't?

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 9:48 am

I am with XDFlash in the fact that seeping oil is too much oil. I used to fire and have to clean a Sig P226 and I can tell you that if you get too much oil on the slide, it will attract all kinds of crud and it can lead to the slide completely gumming up.

I saw one of our deputies that had that problem. He went to the range, and didn't clean his Sig after wards. He had also over oiled it. He pulled the Sig from his holster and tried, yes I said TRIED, to clear the chamber. The slide was soo gummed up that it took me over an hour to get the slide to break free. When it did and I broke the Sig down, I found an over oiled and heavily soiled firearm that would have done him no good in a hostile situation.

Just my 2 pennies. Anyone else??

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 10:46 am

Yes, you should clean it, I recommend cleaning your firearm every time it's shot, or you take it out into the elements, ie. hunting. I started shooting when i was 8 yrs old, and every single time in the 20 years i have been shooting, I have taken it home and cleaned it. Also I take apart every new or used gun I get, and clean it with Hoppe's No. 9, then use Rem oil to lube all parts of the gun. Also like XD said, oil seeping out is TOO much oil.

Corporal Joined: Jul 20, 2007 Posts: 494

When I get a "used" gun I want to start from a known starting point. With a Sig 226 I would pull the plastic grips and use break cleaner. (that's the exact same stuff as gun cleaner but for a lot less money). I (Renassaince) wax all my guns now and use Rem oil, antiques I still use whale oil but that's because it never gets use or need re-oiling, when and if I run out I'm SOL, but I have a lot. Remember I'm old it used to be legal to buy/sell, possession is not illegal.
Ignore this for any plastic type guns, I have no idea what that stuff will do to a glock or the like..

Corporal Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 361

Thank you guys for the common sense! I've darn near gagged reading how this guy or that saw no need to clean the hardware, even after an all day range or competition session.

Sure Doug Koenig, or Jerry Michulec can get away with it...they get their guns for free, and if one fails, they break out a new one. Us mere mortals need to take care of our tools so that they can take care of us. Any machine, not just guns, ill maintained is gonna' break.

Mr. Sorcerer, have you tried the Rifle/Gun Wax from Flitz? I've been using it on carbon steel edged weapons, armor, and anything blued. It never turns yellow, and seems to hold up at least as well as the Renaissance Wax, and is easier to apply. Pretty good on wood too.

Good advice all around guys!!!

Colonel.....

Corporal Joined: Jul 20, 2007 Posts: 494

Actually Renaissance was specifically designed to replace beeswax and carnuba wax because they will oxidize and form acids. For items you use, clean, and wax frequently this is still not bad but I just don't think you can beat the modern properties of a microcrystalline wax. Although certainly a bit more painful to apply and yes wonderful on wood that's typically where you find the stuff to buy it at woodworking shops.

Corporal Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 361

I'll give the Renaissance Wax a thumbs up for specific use on antiques that might not be as clean as they appear to be, as the RenWax formula has a solvent quality that can aid cleaning.

I used it to help restore a period oil of a Dutch militiaman. Careful application of the RenWax lifted decades of crud, revealing a previously unseen gloved hand holding a matchlock, and a uniquely Dutch leaded window in the background.

The Flitz Rifle/Gun Wax has done really well in combatting Southern Illinois humidity, and I've made quite a few converts to it's use.

Colonel.....

Private Joined: Jan 19, 2010 Posts: 131

I would
I think some gun shops put excess oil on used guns that may sit in their shop for awhile.

Just my 2cnts

Newbie Joined: Sep 21, 2008 Posts: 4

MikeBasche wrote:

I just got a used sig sauer 226. I want to clean it, but I see that there is a bit of oil seeping from the takedown lever, the slide release, and the decocker. Would you recommend I buy a inexpensive kit and clean it or leave it for a while. I just took it to the range the other day and wiped it down afterward. There doesn't seem to be much seepage after firing it.

I pull my new firearms apart and clean before taking to the range. You can imagine the amount of metal dust you'll pull out of a new firearm. Seems like Ruger followed by Savage are the worst and you can't go wrong in getting all that trash out before shooting.

Newbie Joined: Mar 26, 2010 Posts: 16

i clean all firearms after every range trip. some guns will run dirty, some wont. most wont run dry. i personally dont like oil dripping, but some do. just make sure you have enough to lubricate, but not so much where you will attract additional particulate and cannot operate gun in a defensive situation.