Weapon cleaning/lubrication

[Endorphin Rush]

Gentlemen...

A little history first...I, and my teammates, currently train on a bi-weekly basis that keeps us shooting approximately 8 hours per month, or firing approximately 800 rounds per month through our issued weapons. Long guns are either the Colt subgun or Colt M4. Hand guns are either the department issue Glock 22 or personally owned 1911.

Since the department does not supply cleaning or lubricating materials, most of us use whatever products we feel is best individually. I currently use Militec/Tetra/or Ultima-Lube products.

What we are considering doing is making a department-wide purchase of cleaning/lubricating products and are seeking opinions as to what is best.

I have recently considered the Sentry Solutions products and have been reading about/researching same. Sounds like a pretty appealing group of products, especially in the form of their Armorer's Kit.

Does anyone on the board have any personal or professional experience with the Sentry Solutions products, especially those containing Molybdenum Disulfide, that can provide their experiences as a comparison with any other products???


Thanks!!!

ER

[TXscout]

I have heard good things about the Sentry solutions products, but traditionally have used Break Free and Tetra products with good results on all of my weapons. FWIW, You might want to look into some of the larger "dunking tank" setups with baskets, but can't remember which companies offer them. These would be helpful for volume cleaning.

[Endorphin Rush]

For anyone that is interested you can find their site at : www.sentrysolutions.com.

I just received their Armorer's Kit today in the mail. I/we will give it a run and I will report our results/opinions, for what they are worth.

TXscout;

Appreciate the reply. We've looked into the ultrasonic "dunk tank" type cleaning systems (made by L&R MFG. and the like), but most are cost prohibitive. It's a hard sell to a small department. We have used them while training with larger departments (East Brunswick, NJ PD has a nice set up) and they are definitely the shit.

[Endorphin Rush]

OK...for anyone that may be interested.

I did a two week trial with this stuff (admittedly, not a long trial) and got a feel for it.

First off, it is time consuming to prep the weapon and then to apply the products. Cure time for the Smooth-Cote is about two hours. Then, if desired, one must apply the BP2000 powder in all areas in which wear occurs. A Hi-Slip grease is also supplied and is recommended in all "high-wear" areas, in addition to the above products.

Now, the BP2000 is not a needed addition, but is supposed to make a smoother contact surface when applied with the Smooth-Cote.

The process is not only supposed to make a more friction-free surface, but is supposed to provide an easier clean up over other oil or grease lubricants. Well...it didn't feel like there was any less friction to cycle the slide or work any of the other mechanisms. Now, I don't own any devices that measure co-efficient of friction, the above observation was determined by my own low-tech hands. And the clean up...well, it didn't take any less time.

Of course, Molybdenum Disulfide is supposed to be the one chemical that will almost guarantee the absence of galling between stainless steel parts. And that was my main reason for trying this stuff.

But, I've never experienced a malfunction with the other products that I've used in the past, by evidence of the lack of a single malfunction over thousands of rounds fired.

So, in conclusion, while I can't say anything in the negative, I don't know that there is any overriding reason to switch from what we are using already (Tetra Lube/Grease, Militec Oil/Grease, Ultima Lube).

Endorphin Rush

[bberkley]

I use FP-10 on my STI's, USPc, and AR. My Glock gets some Slide-Glide.

[nmap]

I wonder if it might be possible to go a bit deeper into the subject of cleaning and lubricating a firearm?

As nearly as I can tell, reasonable practice is to field strip the weapon after each use, clean it, then apply a light coating of oil or other lubricant. That seems simple enough.

However, I noticed an item here that suggested:

I now detail clean my pistols aprox every 1k rounds, and do a basic cleaning after each usage, and a relube every 2 weeks even if not used.

LINK - See post #15

I have also noticed some other references that seem to hint at such things as disassembly of magazines, deep cleaning every 500 rounds, and so forth. There seems to be some concern that oils can penetrate, and hence ruin, ammunition in the magazine.

My usage is, at best, modest. Perhaps best placed in the comedy section, actually. But I go to the range once per month and fire 100 rounds of factory loaded ammunition. I carry the firearm in a utility bag, and have good intentions of moving into an IWB holster (probably Crossbreed) at some point.

The firearms are: Glock 17, HK USP tactical (9mm), and Kel Tec P3AT in .380.

After reading other threads, I have Militec - 1 lubricant and also grease on order.

So...if I may...the questions:

1) How often should I field strip and clean the weapons?

2) How often should I deep-clean them? This appears challenging in the case of the H&K especially; however, perhaps I'm making it harder than it is. Is there some literature that gives step-by-step instruction in such matters?

3) Should I break down the magazines, clean, and lube them?

As always, any guidance is appreciated. I've probably failed to ask several important things, so please tell me anything you believe a neophyte ought to be aware of.