How do I "decontaminate" my gun?

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freeflier

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As a new shooter I was completely unaware that shooting exposes one to significantly toxic levels of lead. This is unacceptable to me but unfortunately I'm hooked.
I'm thinking that if I attend my local outdoor range during non peak hours I can avoid exposure from other shooters and, by using Win Clean or American Eagle TMJ, I can reduce my own exposure. My first problem is how do I clean my Gen 4 Glock 17 so that I'm not contaminating my living room every time I practice dry firing (one can carry enough lead from the gun range on skin and clothing to put family members at risk) . Can anyone give me some informed advice on how to do this effectively (respectfully I'm not interested in speculation and "opinion" on this. I'd like to know how to do it properly and scientifically).
 
Clean it using normal solvents. If you are that worried about lead at an outdoor range, along with contaminating your home by dry firing, perhaps another hobby is a better idea?


Mark
 
just wash your hands with soap after handling your firearm, and change into clean clothing (maybe a shower and wash your hair?) after a range trip. i really don't think the residue leftover on your clothing will be a risk to anyone unless you're planning to give them to an infant as a blanket immediately afterwards.
 
freeflier said:
As a new shooter I was completely unaware that shooting exposes one to significantly toxic levels of lead. This is unacceptable to me but unfortunately I'm hooked.
I'm thinking that if I attend my local outdoor range during non peak hours I can avoid exposure from other shooters and, by using Win Clean or American Eagle TMJ, I can reduce my own exposure. My first problem is how do I clean my Gen 4 Glock 17 so that I'm not contaminating my living room every time I practice dry firing (one can carry enough lead from the gun range on skin and clothing to put family members at risk) . Can anyone give me some informed advice on how to do this effectively (respectfully I'm not interested in speculation and "opinion" on this. I'd like to know how to do it properly and scientifically).
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It's too late!! You're doomed!! Send me your contaminated guns, I'll make sure they do no more damage!!

If you're that worried about it, trade the Glock for a good compound bow or else always wear a condom.
 
Buy another one and dry fire the new/unused one in your home and shoot the dirty one at the range.
 
KDX said:
Buy another one and dry fire the new/unused one in your home and shoot the dirty one at the range.
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I like this idea, any excuse for more guns I'm game. In all reality it's like anything else, take the proper precaution's and wear PPE. Remember the easiest way for contaminants to enter the blood stream is through open wounds, ingestion and the eyes. Wear shooting glasses, clean pistol with nitro, washwith soap and warm water, shower & change, practice at home with bnib g17 :cool:
 
coldestcanuck said:
It's too late!! You're doomed!! Send me your contaminated guns, I'll make sure they do no more damage!!
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Laugh2

seriously though flier, if your washing your hands at the range post shooting,
showering and into clean clothes promptly when you get home,
and cleaning your guns with proper solvents while wearing latex gloves before your dryfire drills,
I think your covering your bases.
You would certainly be being a lot more careful than the rest of us.

I have a picture in my head of you wearing a gas mask at the range

Have you had your blood tested for lead levels?
 
coldestcanuck said:
It's too late!! You're doomed!! Send me your contaminated guns, I'll make sure they do no more damage!!

If you're that worried about it, trade the Glock for a good compound bow or else always wear a condom.
Click to expand...

I heard aluminum arrow shafts cause alshimers disease and carbon fiber shafts cause cancer.....and don't even get me started on what's in bow wax!!!! Or target bags, or the food we eat,air we breath , water we drink,

F*** it all, I'm moving to the moon where its safe.
 
I'm torn between pictures of a bubble boy, and a Haz-mat suit. I used to put pellets in my mouth when I was out with the ol' .177, and it didn't affect me nonnnnnn...... look! A butterfly! Uh, oh, another nose bleed.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but; doesn't all restricted guns coming from the US have at least 1 round down the pipe?
Hense contaminated. And doesn't nitro solvent contain nerotoxins?
And doesn't the rubber and plastic grips release cancer causing agents slowly?
And there is lead in the steel alloy the gun is made of to assist in the machineability and grain boundary precipitation properties of the steel.
Think there is lead alloyed into the brass the cases are made from too.
And don't tritium sights cause cancer since they are radioactive?
And what about copper poisoning?

Better shoot with a full level 4 haz-mat suit on. And keep your guns,ammo and cleaning stuff in a hermetically sealed room.
 
In all seriousness freeflier, shooting may not be for you. This is your second thread on "contamination".

How did you ever gain the courage to even pick up a firearm? I'm not trying to be rude but do you always live this cautiously?

Do what you can to help prevent lead contamination and move on with your life.

Psssssssst, you'll eventually die just like the rest of us.
 
Why don't you research on how much lead a healthy body can purge and how much is required for lead poisoning, then let us know.

I've only heard of mild lead poisining from folks that cast lead in the thousands of pound in the garage.

Range officers would be a good group to study for lead poisoning.

So who knows or want to do the research?
 
Well... just did a bit o' research and there have been cases of long time shooters having toxic levels of lead build up in the bloodstream. A lot has to do with your level of exposure. I dunno about you guys, but I shoot A LOT--- 350 rounds last sunday and that's a normal sunday. The lead accumulates slowly in the body over time and doesn't really go away, so this could mess you up years down the road. I'm not TOO worried but I think I'm gonna start at least washin my hands after long sessions. Don't think I wanna goof around with possible heavy metal poisoning.

Apparently IT SUCKS B#LLS.
 
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It's not paranoia but it seems to consume the OP thoughts. See his other thread on the subject.

Again, you should be more worried about instant death at a gun range!

Take precautions, move on with your life.

P.S. I solder a LOT at work. Should I wear a hazmat suit? Of course not. I get my blood tested and I take the necessary precautions. (Wash my hands often and no food at the work bench)
 
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