Gun cleaning questions

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Bloodstriker

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Being completely new to shooting, gun cleaning is a big mystery to me. I found some videos on youtube, read a few articles, but I'm still doubting that what I'm doing is correct.

Here's what I do:

1. field strip the gun (Beretta CX4)

2. Clean the barrel
- saturate a patch with Hoppes 9 and run through barrel a few times
- dip a copper brush in Hoppes 9 and run through barrel 10 times
- run dry patches
- repeat
* The problem I'm having is I can be doing this for over an hour, but the patches never come out fully clean. There seems to be streak marks that look like the rifiling still has residue. In this case, do I keep cleaning?
- put oil on patch and run through barrel
- run dry a few dry patches to remove excess oil
* is oiling the barrel needed or even a good idea? I always hear different opinions on this. The gun is not going into long term storage as it is fired every 1-2 weeks.
* I noticed a tiny bit of green/blue specks on the patches at the end. I'm wondering if this is an indication that I need copper solvent?

3. Disassemble the bolt assembly.
- Use Hoppes 9 to wipe down all of the parts
- oil parts

4. Clean upper frame with Hoppes 9 and oil where needed (basically just where the upper and lower slide together)

5. No idea how to clean lower and trigger group

Any thoughts?
 
cleaning

hi there,
nice gun by the way, love CX4's. Noticed not many people responded to this, unless they sent you private messages. Anyhow, just a few tips.
a) less solvent. I only ever use a patch dipped in solvent after I run some CLP through the barrel first and then dry it; try to only use solvent when either you have run many rounds down the barrel, or its super dirty after non jacketed bullets (lead)
b) add a bore-snake to the mix; great little gadgets, and they work

my method for cleaning the barrel:
i) run a patch with CLP down the barrel a few times using 9mm jag
ii) run a 9mm copper brush down the barrel 1-2
iii) run more patches with CLP down the barrel (will be super dirty after brush) until they come out clean
iv) only run oil on a patch down the barrel if putting the gun in storage; if you are using within a week or two, I wouldnt bother

this method has always worked well for me. patches should come out clean after this; a bit of discoloration (dirt) is ok, depends on how thorough you want to be, but if you follow the above, they should come out either totally clean, or really close.....ease off the solvent brother, remember, just a few drops, unless SUPER dirty
 
I have used Hoopes # 9 for years. I find it very good for getting rid of powder residue, carbon etc.
I don't find it that helpful for removing lead or copper build up. There are other solvents designed just for this.
A good quality oil ( of which there are many ) is a good idea to lubricate after cleaning. IMO you don't need that much oil. Many people over lubricate.

You have a nice gun. Enjoy it.
 
Bloodstriker said:
Being completely new to shooting, gun cleaning is a big mystery to me. I found some videos on youtube, read a few articles, but I'm still doubting that what I'm doing is correct.

Here's what I do:

1. field strip the gun (Beretta CX4)

2. Clean the barrel
- saturate a patch with Hoppes 9 and run through barrel a few times
- dip a copper brush in Hoppes 9 and run through barrel 10 times
- run dry patches
- repeat
* The problem I'm having is I can be doing this for over an hour, but the patches never come out fully clean. There seems to be streak marks that look like the rifiling still has residue. In this case, do I keep cleaning?
- put oil on patch and run through barrel
- run dry a few dry patches to remove excess oil
* is oiling the barrel needed or even a good idea? I always hear different opinions on this. The gun is not going into long term storage as it is fired every 1-2 weeks.
* I noticed a tiny bit of green/blue specks on the patches at the end. I'm wondering if this is an indication that I need copper solvent?

3. Disassemble the bolt assembly.
- Use Hoppes 9 to wipe down all of the parts
- oil parts

4. Clean upper frame with Hoppes 9 and oil where needed (basically just where the upper and lower slide together)

5. No idea how to clean lower and trigger group

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

i do pretty much the same for all my guns (including my SKS when shooting corrosive ammo) and it really doesnt take me too long, you dont need much nitro solvent, and it is a good idea to use A LIGHT cote of oil in the barrel as it will help prevent the bore from rustin and keeps it lubricaled all ready for the next time you shoot.
as for running a copper bore brush, theres no specific amount of times, i keep running it though untill i cant see any leading or powder resedue left in the barrel.
If you are getting green you may either need to do as i said above or get some solvent for removing copper.
as for cleaning the trigger group it looks like they might be tricky to get at in those guns so i'd say just try whiping it down with a peice of paper towel and que-tips and a little bit of nitro solvent, then after you got most of it clean just put a few dropes of oil (que-tips also help) on the parts.
 
I recall hearing somewhere that when using copper/brass brushes with solvents the solvent might be reacting to them. My bottle of Hoppes 9 mentions a bristle brush can be used, so that might not be the problem. That's the only thing I can think of, which probably isn't very helpful. Hopefully the situation clears up but that's all the wisdom I can offer as I haven't yet done any cleaning myself.
 
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