Gun Cleaning Question

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  • Baldheaded

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 18, 2021
    1,277
    A.A. Co.
    Let me start by saying I have a Golden Retriever and he is a heavy shedder. That being said here is my question. Is it possible for a stray hair to cause a problem with a firearm if the hair finds its way into the gun during a cleaning??? I was cleaning my AR15 today and managed to catch a hair or two trying to find a new home in the barrel and on the bolt. This got me thinking about possible problems. Thoughts?
     

    ToolAA

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 17, 2016
    10,499
    God's Country
    These rifles are dragged through the mud and the desert I don’t mean to seem condescending, but seriously, dog hair.
     

    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    I would just push a clean patch through it and not worry too much before firing.
    The mechanism is such that it wont affect it negatively.
    Now, if a whole bunch of them get in there and get all balled up that could be different story.
    Otherwise you should be ok.
     

    ToolAA

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 17, 2016
    10,499
    God's Country
    Here is my 300BO. Hasn’t been cleaned since it was built in one of Chad’s build classes about 3yrs ago. I know it has at least 1500 rounds through it, maybe closer to 2k. Runs great. My point is that these guns do not need to be cleaned to run. They just need to be well lubricated.

    4bfe1ee5b82cb65d4ffad415ef34e250.jpg
     

    Baldheaded

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 18, 2021
    1,277
    A.A. Co.
    I understand how some people would think it is a pretty stupid question. People put them through all kinds of stuff to test their reliability. If I would have really thought about it more I probably wouldn't have asked. I am one of those guys that likes my stuff to look like new all the time. I will clean my guns after every range trip regardless of how many rounds I run through it. I would say it can't hurt right but I'm sure that opinion will vary too.
     

    rbird7282

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 6, 2012
    18,530
    Columbia
    I understand how some people would think it is a pretty stupid question. People put them through all kinds of stuff to test their reliability. If I would have really thought about it more I probably wouldn't have asked. I am one of those guys that likes my stuff to look like new all the time. I will clean my guns after every range trip regardless of how many rounds I run through it. I would say it can't hurt right but I'm sure that opinion will vary too.


    Actually you aren’t doing the gun any favors by cleaning after every range trip. I used to be the same way. Now I can’t tell you the last time I detail stripped and cleaned a firearm, it simply isn’t necessary normally.
    I will simply wipe down and re-lube.
    Usually on the guns I shoot for competition (9mm pistol, AR, and 12ga., I will strip and thoroughly clean them once a year since they have higher round counts. The only other exception is .22’s because I shoot them suppressed and they get very dirty.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Occam

    Not Even ONE Indictment
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 24, 2018
    20,230
    Montgomery County
    Say hello to my little friend. Of course, Tactical Chihuahuas usually have a much shorter coat than Suburban Retrievers, so maybe a different set of issues.

    4Ab0yqP.jpg
     

    willtill

    The Dude Abides
    MDS Supporter
    May 15, 2007
    24,312
    Here is my 300BO. Hasn’t been cleaned since it was built in one of Chad’s build classes about 3yrs ago. I know it has at least 1500 rounds through it, maybe closer to 2k. Runs great. My point is that these guns do not need to be cleaned to run. They just need to be well lubricated.

    4bfe1ee5b82cb65d4ffad415ef34e250.jpg

    I would not sleep until that gun was cleaned.
     

    Bullfrog

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 8, 2009
    15,152
    Carroll County
    OP I've seen the same thing on mine. I think you're fine unless you plan to use the gun in a crime and drop it at the scene.

    After watching several episodes of forensic files I'm convinced there are some kinds of dogs you should never own if you plan to commit a serious crime. :lol:


    I know I can put on clean clothes directly out of the dryer and walk straight out of the house and go to work, then later in the day I can look down and see hairs from my German shepherd all over my shirt and pants. I swear they float around in the air, invisible and waiting to pounce on anything freshly cleaned... clothes, guns, furniture...
     

    omegared24

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 23, 2011
    4,747
    Ijamsville, MD
    Here is my 300BO. Hasn’t been cleaned since it was built in one of Chad’s build classes about 3yrs ago. I know it has at least 1500 rounds through it, maybe closer to 2k. Runs great. My point is that these guns do not need to be cleaned to run. They just need to be well lubricated.

    4bfe1ee5b82cb65d4ffad415ef34e250.jpg

    That's what all mine look like. Run perfectly. I don't even consider that dirty.

    I understand how some people would think it is a pretty stupid question. People put them through all kinds of stuff to test their reliability. If I would have really thought about it more I probably wouldn't have asked. I am one of those guys that likes my stuff to look like new all the time. I will clean my guns after every range trip regardless of how many rounds I run through it. I would say it can't hurt right but I'm sure that opinion will vary too.

    I think the point is how is that working out? I have seen situations where someone takes an AR to the range, it runs perfectly, then they bring it home and clean the hell out of it. Next range session they have a problem. It's not a coincidence. The reason that happened is something has changed. Maybe a part was damaged while scrubbing. Maybe something wasn't assembled properly. Maybe they didn't lube it properly. I've seen people forget to put a firing or cam pin back in. It happens.

    As mentioned, the platform is typically run in less than ideal situations and will run with no problems. I use an old baseball bag to transport my ARs and have seen all kinds of dirt, sunflower seed remnants, sand and even nerds candy in my ARs.
     

    slsc98

    Ultimate Member
    May 24, 2012
    6,746
    Escaped MD-stan to WNC Smokies
    Let me start by saying I have a Golden Retriever and he is a heavy shedder. That being said …Thoughts?

    There is a solution to this and it doesn’t pertain to the gun room … (and it IS EFFECTIVE)!
     

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    rseymorejr

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 28, 2011
    26,002
    Harford County
    We have 3 dogs and I don't know how we got along before this came along
     

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