Keeping Your Every Day Carry Pistol In Shape
Welcome to the definitive guide on handgun maintenance, tailored especially for the everyday carry (EDC) enthusiast. Keeping your pistol in peak condition is not just a matter of pride; it’s a matter of reliability and safety. In this Steelopedia post, we’ll explore step-by-step techniques to ensure your handgun stays in a reliable condition. Additionally, we’ll delve into the specifics of maintaining pistols with optics, including pistol red dots and the benefits of closed emitter red dots. Let’s dive in and equip you with the knowledge to keep your EDC pistol operating flawlessly.
The Basics of Handgun Maintenance
Field Stripping Your Handgun
Learn the essential steps to safely field strip your handgun, allowing you to access crucial components for cleaning and inspection. Make sure your firearm is fully unloaded before handling or field stripping.
Cleaning Supplies and Solvents
Discover the right cleaning tools, brushes, solvents, and patches for your pistol, ensuring effective and safe cleaning. Your pistol may have some brushes or tools that come with it to assist. Master the technique of barrel cleaning, crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing fouling. Make sure you understand the basic parts of the frame of your firearm and any issues to inspect for and lubricate. Learning the art of proper lubrication to ensure your handgun functions reliably and remains protected against wear helps protect the longevity of your handgun.
Cleaning Handguns with Optics
Cleaning Pistol Optics
Your EDC pistol mostly lives in a holster or in a safe accumulating dust and particles that can clutter or obstruct your dot window. Using a Q-tip or lens wipes to periodically check and wipe off any excess dust helps keep your sight picture clean at all times.
Closed Emitter Red Dots, such as the Aimpoint ACRO, Steiner MPS, or Pandora PB-3 use closed emitter housing designs that are less prone to obstructions from the wear of weathering and elements. A simple wipe down with your shirt or finger could suffice for closed emitter red dots optics. If you have not previously, you can also loctite and witness mark your screws or windage adjustments for any pistol red dot optic to ensure your zero or screws have not walked out on you.
Advanced Tips for Handgun Care
Understand the importance of routine inspections and function checks to catch potential issues before they escalate. This could be dry firing your pistol and ensuring all parts are working including magazines. Labeling your magazines to identify issues at the range can be beneficial to staying organized.
Familiarize yourself with the best practices for storing your handgun, safeguarding it from humidity, temperature extremes, and other environmental factors. Leaving your handgun in your vehicle over the winter may expose your firearm to potential extreme cold temperatures and theft.
Appreciate the satisfaction of owning a well-maintained handgun, knowing it’s ready to perform when you need it most. Maintaining your EDC handgun is a responsibility that should never be taken lightly. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you’re not just caring for a piece of equipment; you’re ensuring the safety and reliability of a tool that could one day make all the difference. Whether you’re navigating the intricacies of pistol optics or performing routine cleaning, each step contributes to the readiness of your EDC. Embrace this knowledge, and let it be the cornerstone of your responsible handgun ownership.
