How to Clean a Pistol

The 10-minute carry-gun cleaning routine that actually matters.

1. 1
   Unload completely

   Drop the mag, lock the slide, and check the chamber twice. Keep all ammo out of reach while you work.

2. 2
   Field strip

   Follow your model's takedown — usually lock the slide, rotate the takedown lever, and ease the slide off. Remove the recoil spring and barrel.

3. 3
   Clean bore and feed ramp

   Run a bore snake or patches through the barrel, and wipe carbon off the feed ramp and breech face where reliability problems start.

4. 4
   Wipe and lube

   Clean the slide rails and frame, then put a light film of oil on the rails, barrel hood, and lug. A little oil goes a long way.

5. 5
   Reassemble and check

   Reassemble, rack the slide a few times, and function-check on an empty gun.