The Smith and Wesson 9mm gun is quite popular, particularly with homeowners. It is accurate, reliable, and easy to handle. But like all other types of guns, it does require proper cleaning and maintenance to function properly.
Cleaning a Smith and Wesson gun is not difficult, and it does not take much time, but you have to know how to clean the gun properly. The process always starts with reassembling your firearm.
Please refer to the instruction manual on how to do it properly if you do not know how to do it. That said, here is how to reassemble and clean a gun correctly.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Step1:
The first step is to remove the magazine. To do this, hold your gun and make sure that the muzzle is facing in a safe direction. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine and place it away from your cleaning area.
Once you have removed the magazine, pull the slide back to ensure that the chamber is empty. If there is a cartridge, doing this will remove the cartridge from the chamber.
Avoid obstructing the ejection port to avoid problems with the ejection of the cartridge.
Step 2:
Pull the slide forward to lock it in an open position and then check the chamber to ensure that it is not loaded and check the bore to ensure there are no obstructions. Once you have ascertained that the gun is clear, rotate the assembly lever down, pull the slide back to unlock the slide lock, then move the slide forward, point your gun in a safe direction and then pull the trigger to release the slide.
Step 3:
Remove the guide rod and the recoil spring in the slide and to do this, push the guide rod and lift it up and then pull it out of the slide. Next, remove the barrel by pushing it up and then pull it out. It should come out easily.
Step 4:
At this point, you should have the frame, and the slide set aside. Assemble your cleaning equipment, and this should include a gun cleaning solvent and oil, a cleaning rod or bore snake, and cleaning patches or a clean rug.
Pour some cleaning solution onto a patch and clean the slide. Make sure to clean the slide thoroughly to remove all the powder residue that may be inside. If you have not cleaned your gun in a while but have fired it a couple of times, use a cleaning brush and patches to remove powder residue and any grime and dirt.
Step 5:
Clean the frame the same way as the slide. Pour some cleaning solution onto a patch, and give the frame a thorough clean. Make sure you try to clean the inside parts of the frame as best as possible to remove any powder residue, metal shavings, and any other grime.
Step 6:
Take your cleaning patch, wet it with your cleaning solution, and wipe down the barrel to remove any gunk. Take your cleaning rod, attach a wet patch to it, and then slide it through the barrel while twisting it to remove any powder residue. Do this two to three times to ensure that the barrel is completely clean and free of dirt.
If you are using a bore snake, pull it through the barrel a couple of times to remove any dirt and powder residue.
Before you clean the barrel, examine it to ensure that there is no damage.
Step 7:
Once you are done removing all the dirt and powder residue from all the pieces, the next step is to lubricate. You can start with any piece, put a few drops of your lube onto the piece or a cleaning patch and coat the piece well with the oil. Make sure to get some oil in the crevices, but don’t use too much oil as that may cause your gun to malfunction.
Make sure that all the moving parts of your gun are lubricated. Use a multi-purpose oil aerosol spray to reach tight spaces that you cannot reach with a patch or rag.
Step 8:
Once you are done lubricating the pieces, reassemble your gun. Always start by resembling the slide first and then attach the slide back to the gun’s frame. If you don’t plan on using it after the cleaning process, make sure to store it when it’s unloaded and store it in a safe place.
It’s highly recommended that you store Smith and Wesson gun in a place where no one can gain access to it except you. Also, never store a loaded gun, or if your gun is locked, never load it.
Gun Maintenance and Safety Tips
- Do not discharge your arm in a poorly ventilated area. Cleaning your gun in an area that is not well-ventilated may cause physical injury or result in exposure to metallic substances that may affect your health.
- Make sure you familiarize yourself with your gun and all its mechanical parts before using it or cleaning it.
- Wear eye protection when cleaning a gun to protect your eyes from the gun cleaning solvents.
- Never allow your gun to be used by anyone other than yourself, particularly a person who knows nothing about guns and gun safety.
- When cleaning your gun, make sure to disassemble and reassemble it correctly. Any mistakes during these processes can result in serious injury.
- Never attempt to change or adjust any internal components of your gun. Doing this can cause your gun to malfunction, which can result in serious injury.
- Use cleaning supplies that are designed specifically for your type of gun.
Conclusion
Smith and Wesson 9mm guns are great for home defense. They are easy to use, and they are highly accurate and reliable. To keep your gun functioning properly, you have to clean as regularly as you use it. Follow the steps and tips we have offered in this guide to help you clean your gun the proper way.
