Cleaning and maintaining your guns is very important, and it not only help to preserve their functionality and value, but it will keep them safe to use and maintain their accuracy. The amount of time and attention that someone puts into maintaining their guns will pay off in the long run, even if it is just the simple peace of mind that your gun will perform the way that it is supposed to. Good maintenance habits will help you to learn your gun even better and give you even more confidence while out in the field or while out on the range. 

In order to properly maintain your gun, preparation is one of the most important aspects. You should choose a workspace that is well lit, well ventilated, and clean. Many people will choose something like a garage or spare bedroom to do this in, and crack open a window if it is not well ventilated. You should also find a sturdy workbench or table that does not rock or move when you are using it. Once you have your area and a good table or desk to work on, you are ready to get the rest of your equipment ready!

Gather up all the necessary materials that you will need to clean and maintain your gun with. One of the first things I suggest putting down and getting to start working on your guns is a simple gun mat. These are made to protect and pad your guns while working with them, as well as provide a shock and impact-resistant barrier for your weapons to keep them protected. A quality mat will also be resistant to oils and solvents that you will be using. I highly recommend something like the T-Rex Mat from Dinosaurized. This mat is everything you will need for a gun mat when you clean and maintain your guns. Not only will these mats provide a no scratch, impact-absorbing workplace for your guns, but they are available in many different styles that come with a gun guide printed on them. They provide an expanded view of your gun, that helps you to better understand your gun that can help with maintenance, safety, and longevity. To get your own T-Rex Mat, visit https://dinosaurized.com/pages/t-rex-mat. 

After you have your workspace picked out and prepared with a gun mat, you will need to gather any tools that you will need to start working on and cleaning your gun. This will differ depending on the type of gun you have and what you intend to do with it, as there is a large variety of specialized tools that are specially designed for certain jobs. Aside from these assembly and disassembly tools, screwdrivers, and wrenches, I would also highly recommend getting some sort of container (a bowl or Tupperware container even works) to put loose parts and pieces in so that you do not misplace them, and you could even get a few of them in order to separate parts into dirty parts and those that have already been cleaned. Lastly, a bright flashlight is super helpful in case you drop or lose a part, as even very tiny pins and springs that fall on the floor are much easier to find with a bright light and looking for their tiny shadows. The light will also help in inspecting the gun and seeing things you otherwise couldn’t. 

Actually cleaning and maintaining your gun is going to be different depending on the type of firearm you are working on, as well as the caliber. It is always a good idea, especially if you do not have a T-Rex mat, to consult a manual so that you do not miss any details or parts. Something like an owner’s manual can explain and help you how to safely take apart your gun and thoroughly clean it. If you can’t find a manual, there are plenty of them available online and for free. You should also ensure that you have all the correct cleaning lubricants and solvents that you are going to need to clean different things like the barrel, parts, and furniture that they may need. Again, certain guns are going to need different equipment and gear to be properly cleaned and maintained than others. Some guns are also much more complex and complicated than others and may need more time and attention than others. 

After you finish cleaning your gun, you are obviously going to want to reassemble it. This is where a quality gun mat or manual will help you as well, as you do not want to miss a part or reassemble a firearm incorrectly. You should always do a functional check in order to ensure that a firearm still operates as it was designed after cleaning. Check things like the trigger mechanism, safety, slide operation, magazine retention, ejection systems, and other things that perform specific functions. 

After this is done, wipe down the outside of the gun and clean that as well. Remember, a clean and maintained gun is a safe and reliable gun. This should be the goal with every firearm, and why every firearm needs to be properly cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Not only will cleaning and maintaining your weapons keep them reliable and safe, but it is also a great way to become more familiar and confident with your firearms. With the right gear and preparation, it can even be a fun experience to work on your guns. So if you have the time, use it to give your guns the proper maintenance on a regular basis and you will no doubt see a difference!