How to Clean a Handgun

Purchase a gun cleaning kit. You can find one at a sporting goods store or in the sporting goods department of any discount store. You can purchase one made especially for handguns or a "universal" kit that will work for any type of gun. These kits come with solvents, oils, rods and cloth patches. An old toothbrush is also good to have when you clean a handgun.

Choose a well-ventilated area to clean a handgun. It's best to have a tabletop, counter or desk to work on. Lay an old cloth down to spread out your gun and supplies. Have some old rags handy for wiping your gun off as you clean.

Take an old toothbrush and dip it in the cleaning solvent. Scrub the inside of the frame and cylinder of your handgun. Wipe off all dirt and grease with an old rag.

Get your cleaning rod ready by putting on the attachment from the kit that fits easily into the barrel of the gun. Use the largest one that fits. The attachment holds one of the cloth patches. Insert a cloth patch onto the rod end and dip the patch into the cleaning solvent. Run the rod gently into the barrel of the gun so that the patch comes out the other end of the barrel. Wipe the rod clean with a rag and put a new patch on. Saturate the patch with cleaning solvent again and run it through the barrel. Now, attach a clean patch (dry this time, no solvent) and run it through with the rod. Repeat this process with dry patches until a patch comes out of the barrel clean.

Put a drop of oil on all moving parts of the gun to lubricate. Be careful not to use too much oil, for it will attract dirt. Wipe down all outside parts of the handgun with a dry rag.