It seems like once a week you find out about some idiot that accidentally fired off their gun while cleaning it.
It can be easy to separate from these ‘idiots’ but you’re only one mistake, one second of not paying attention to be grouped with them.
So, to keep yourself from becoming one of them, here are 5 mistakes people keep making… so now you won’t!
Mistake 1: Not making sure the gun is unloaded
Before you start cleaning your rifle, or any gun, you must make sure it is unloaded. Completely. There shouldn’t even be any ammo in the room where you’re cleaning. There’s no reason for it to be nearby.
Now, you must be sure the gun is unloaded. Not a friend. Not your dad. Not the pope. It’s up to you and no one else to make sure a gun is unloaded and stays that way.
Mistake 2: Rushing
Rushing while cleaning a gun is a great way to make sure you make mistakes. Now, maybe the mistake won’t be hurting anyone, but you’ll probably have a very bad time on your hands.
Not only will you be likely not to fully clean your rifle, but you’ll also be more likely to break it.
Cleaning a rifle should be a timeless activity. There is not a time or deadline set to the event. It takes as long as it takes, let yourself take the time.
Besides, most find the cleaning of their rifle to be a zen like experience, one where worry and panic fade into relief and happiness.
Mistake 3: Pointing The Muzzle Around
Sure, you made certain that the gun was unloaded. But that doesn’t mean you should be pointing it at anything you want. You should, always, treat a gun as if it were loaded. Never point it at anything that you don’t want to shoot.
Always keep the muzzle down and always know what or who is on the other side of every wall. A few inches of sheetrock and wood will not stop a bullet.
Also, never play around with the gun. Sometimes when you’re cleaning a gun with a friend, it may be fun to mess around. This is a big no. Horseplay will result in either you likely to break your gun or you’ll end up pointing it somewhere you shouldn’t.
Mistake 4: Thoroughness
There are numerous steps to cleaning a rifle. Slowly taking apart each piece, laying it out in order, cleaning each piece meticulously, and then slowly putting it back together.
Thoroughness on each step is needed if you’re going to have a better weapon on your hands after cleaning.
Most of the time people have a good idea about taking the rifle apart and cleaning the pieces. It’s the reassembling that tends to be the problem.
Each piece should fall into place with little difficulty. When you do face resistance, take a second to clear your mind. Take the piece out and try it again. Most of the time this blockage is a sign that you should not apply more force, something important is not right. Resetting is a great way to put yourself in the right mindset and it usually figures itself out.
Mistake 5: Make it last
I think we were all surprised by how much lubricant we used the first time we cleaned our rifle. It takes a lot of help to keep this pile of metal pieces working efficiently and for many years to come.
Don’t limit how much lubricant you need to use in order to get your rifle right. Have plenty on hand and treat each piece as its own thing. As long as each piece is ready, when you put it together, you’ll have a gun that is ready to use and ready to last.
These five mistakes are the most common ones people keep making when cleaning their rifle. Cleaning your rifle is as serious as shooting your rifle. While these people may act extremely careful, prepared, and diligent when firing their gun, they don’t always have the same respect when it comes to cleaning it, as they should.
A rifle is always a weapon. And it always demands respect.
Happy cleaning!
