Finally got my first firearm! looking for some cleaning definitives...

[Mate2287]

Hey guys,

I Just got my first gun, an M&P 22. I got it so my wife and I could go target shooting together and to use as a cost effective alternative to 9mm which I eventually want to get. After I got the gun, I gave it a thorough cleaning with G96. This was recommended by my LGS. Since I work some long hours and my LGS has some short ones, I generally cant get there within their business hours. So, I ended up buying a cleaning kit from Canadian Tire which consisted of an aluminum rod, an attachment to run patches through, a plunger looking attachment and some oil. Aside from a bore snake, this was the most in depth kit they had.

For the initial cleaning, everything seemed to go well. With the exception of the cleaning rod's OD being slightly too large for the ID of the barrel. it ended up scraping a little despite my best efforts to get it through without any issues. I was wondering if this will cause any issues? I would assume not as the barrel will be some sort of heat treated carbon steel? and the aluminum will be too soft to cause any issues. Is this correct or should I look for something else to use?

In addition, I ended up going to the range to work on some break-in. I tried two kinds of ammo as I know the .22s are ammo picky. I had really good luck with Federal Bulk. I also ran some Winchester "xpert" through it and it was awful. Nothing but FTE,FTFeed and FTFire.

Anyways, I put just over 100 rounds through and when I went to go clean it, I noticed a bunch of shavings in the barrel. I tried running multiple patches down the barrel and couldn't get all of them out. First and foremost, should I be worrying about these shavings? and second, what's the best way to get them out and properly clean the barrel without causing damage? Should I keep the "cleaning kit" I have, or ditch it in favor of something else?

Because of my work schedule, its pretty tough to talk to anyone locally. I really appreciate any info I can get as it seems that I always find conflicting opinions and I'm just looking for a constant. Since this is my first gun, I'm really tentative at this point as to what I do...

Thanks,

Mate2287

 

[red_bailey]

Since I work some long hours and my LGS has some short ones, I generally cant get there within their business hours. So, I ended up buying a cleaning kit from Canadian Tire which consisted of an aluminum rod, an attachment to run patches through, a plunger looking attachment and some oil. Aside from a bore snake, this was the most in depth kit they had.

Depending on where you live, if you visit another Canadian Tire, or Wal*Mart, you should find a different selection of cleaning kit available, in a store that's open late. Alternatively, plenty of places on-line will be happy to ship you a whole variety of stuff, though many independent gun stores might only show fire-arms and major accessories on their sites, and not bother with listing the little things.

For the initial cleaning, everything seemed to go well. With the exception of the cleaning rod's OD being slightly too large for the ID of the barrel. it ended up scraping a little despite my best efforts to get it through without any issues. I was wondering if this will cause any issues? I would assume not as the barrel will be some sort of heat treated carbon steel? and the aluminum will be too soft to cause any issues. Is this correct or should I look for something else to use?

You're correct that the difference in hardness between an aluminium or brass rod (or wood or some other materials) and barrel steel means that the rod itself can't ever scratch the barrel. Still, if just to avoid the tight fit annoyance, you should get a smaller one. There is a possibility that if you push in an over-sized patch it'll get pretty jammed up with the thicker rod, or if there's a piece of grit in the barrel the tight fit will drag it the whole way down, as compared to a rod with a little breathing room.

I tried two kinds of ammo as I know the .22s are ammo picky. I had really good luck with Federal Bulk. I also ran some Winchester "xpert" through it and it was awful. Nothing but FTE,FTFeed and FTFire.

This can certainly happen, as you found out. Don't know for sure which bulk packs you used. Was one of the bullets hollow-point and the other round, or one copper plated and the other lead? Are the velocities (fps, feet per second) and bullet weights (gn, grains) the same for both? Bulk packs just thrown in the box often have many rounds with the projectiles a little loose, which I've found quite prevalent in the Winchester 555 (I think their cheapest offering); I don't shoot Xpert but do use their fancier SuperX with no problems.

Anyhow, if you've got one you like, just use that.

Anyways, I put just over 100 rounds through and when I went to go clean it, I noticed a bunch of shavings in the barrel. I tried running multiple patches down the barrel and couldn't get all of them out. First and foremost, should I be worrying about these shavings? and second, what's the best way to get them out and properly clean the barrel without causing damage?

The ‘shavings’ are probably just powder residue, which will be present after just a few shots. If your gun is leaving huge scrapings of lead or copper after a hundred rounds, something is wrong. A tight solvent-soaked patch or two, a dry patch or two, that should have taken care of it.

 

[Martingouin]

I am using M-Pro 7, wich is not dangerous if you have kids and let it sit for 15 min. After that, when you clean everything come off and it look like new

Try this, you will not be disapointed

 

[Found]

It is not worth cleaning after 100 rounds, just wipe the outside down with an oily rag and you are good to go. I would suggest trying a different brand an ammunition, those will likely work for a rifle. Cheaper ammo sometimes just isn’t worth it.