Should you fully disassemble semi-auto handgun?

Kratos said:
Disassembled a Jericho 941 completely once. Never again.
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I did a NZ85B (same little tiny parts as a CZ)sear issues; the dealer sent me spare parts. I had to run out prior to re-assemblymen it, and get a jewelers loop and micro tweezers to get the tiny springs and other little parts back where they go. Had to stick them in place with grease so they would not fall out while I was putting other stuff back in too. 3 hours to get it all back together. Works great now though!!
 
KanadianShooter said:
Thanks for the honest responses, definitely a relief. I'm a bolt action and shotgun guy getting into handguns so the advice is always great.
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Some are easier than others; 1911 does not strip as easy as modern pistols; but they are relatively simple compared to modern SA/DA pistol.
 
PSE said:
I used to do that all the time with my Colt 1911s when I shot IPSC, but then I was really familiar with them and knew what I was doing, plus I was shooting them a lot. I could have got away with just field stripping, but in those days I was pretty anal when it came to cleaning.

If it's just casual use and you're not really confident you know what you're doing then as other posters have said - Leave it alone. A field strip will get 95 percent of the crud and keep it shooting just fine. Hose out the other more intricate parts with gun oil and light air pressure to blow it out and dry it and you will be just fine.

If you insist on detail stripping it, then at least download off the web an exploded diagram and instructions, take plenty of pictures at various stages of stripping and keep very close track of all parts - particularly small springs. Some people advocate doing your first detail strip in the bathtub (drain plug in) and shower doors closed (small springs and parts have amazing mobility).

There are guns I just refuse to attempt to detail strip because of their complexity and the fact I don't use them very often.

Having the right tools such as properly sized screw drivers, brushes and drift punches helps a lot.
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drifter dave said:
Whole lotta little parts!
I like to get into the knooks and crannies with some compressed air once in a while.
Works for me.
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Get a big freezer bag, and disassemble your pistol in the bag. Good plan for stuff with little parts like corroborators and the like also.
 
When I was in the army there was the concept of "illegal disassembly", you sure as heck were not allowed to take the trigger group apart. This was for your own good. Usually no good comes from such a thing.
 
NO>

Field strip and clean with tooth brush and brake cleaner if you want a real clean gun.

I lube a pistol twice a year and clean it thoroughly about every 5000 rounds.

At 10000 I change a spring or two.

I have had bad experiences with the dreaded "Ping -tinkle , tinkle" as an unknown part flew out of the gun, across the room - never to be found.

NO. Don't take gun apart.
 
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are you concerned about some white gloved drill sergeant busting into your house to inspect your guns? No? then no, you don't need to do a total tear down, unless you're into that kind of thing, and I don't kink shame.
 
KanadianShooter said:
Hey Guys noob question here,

Recently a friendly stranger at the range told me I should fully disassemble my semi-auto beretta 92FS every 2-5 thousand rounds (not the usual field stripping and cleaning I do every range trip). Would you recommended this procedure, and if yes should I bring my gun to the gunsmith as recommend by Beretta? Also how much approximately do gunsmiths charge for fully stripping and cleaning a handgun?

Thanks
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Depends how much you enjoy solving puzzles?

Many manuals recommend against doing more than field stripping.

If you can't resist the urge to explore, at least use a large, clear plastic bag to put your hands, tools and the gun in. That way you'll be more likely to at least have all the parts to take to a gunsmith.
 
My opinion to further disassemble past the "field strip" would be that, unless your doing "specific" maintenance/part replacement for a specific round count or part life, stay with the field stripped level, however if you feel? that you want to clean the pistol more? then I would consider a small ultrasonic cleaner, so you could. put the parts in there and have them cleaned.
 
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onetwentyish said:
No benefit unless you are the anal retentive type that needs his guns showroom fresh. Your more likely to damage or lose parts. Same reason you dont fully disassemble your vehicle everytime you need the tires changed.
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This is such a good argument. Cars are far more complex and see far more wear than a gun ever will and some people can’t be bothered to change their oil regularly...
 
Every bunch of range sessions, or just before a match, I'll pop the slide off, quick wipe and oil, and it's done. The only time I clean it after a range session is if it got rained on. It took me 10,000 rounds to remove the extractor for cleaning. It just doesn't need obsessing over.
 
If you are mechanically competent. A detail strip or armourer strip would definitely help. But honestly thats more going the extra mile. But it does allow you to keep an eye and keep track of the gun as it wears. Which over time gives you an idea on common failure points.
 
I got a DVD disk and the tool kit from Brownell"s to do my 96 Berreta, Took me all afternoon, stop,and play DVD. As said early unless changing hammer and trigger springs, no need to detail strip. My trigger and hammer springs were changed to lighted the trigger pull. Was worth my time.
 
I disassemble every used gun I purchase used and before I sell because I like to check for any problems before I use or sell.
Once I use it I may disassemble it when I think it has become dirty buildup inside where normal field stripping can’t access it.
I don’t mind disassembling my guns from time to time because I enjoy the mechanics of it.
If you are not a technical patient kind of guy than you should probably just get some brake cleaner and blast the crud out and then G96 it up good and shoot I some more
 
I've detail stripped all of my side arms, some a few times. Having done so I realised that there was little to no functional benefit of this activity over a regular field stripping. I did learn a lot and considered the exercise worth it regardless. I should add that my idea of "regular field stripping" has changed with much longer intervals than when I started, and by intervals I mean round count.
 
I pull my M&P apart once a year and put it in the ultrasonic cleaner, the rest of the time it gets sprayed and wiped. 55K rounds later, it's still going fine. No reason not to, if you're not mechanically challenged, and/or hamfisted.
 
I've tried to back off cleaning on all my guns..I was doing it everytime I shot them
Just too much time when not needed
corrosive yes..corrosive steel pistols I emmerse in varsol,diesel, gas. brush barrel, work action ..drip dry.. wipe down,oil

stripping down my winchester lever ..I can see wear marks
 
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