I have over the years taken a lot of people shooting, invariably I have the most guns there, or the only guns. Afterward I'm left cleaning for hours before everything goes back in the safe.

Question:
When you take friends or family shooting do you

Choices:
Have them help clean the guns after
Just clean them all yourself, taking comfort in the solvent fumes

 

Very picky about cleaning my irons..

I have used "Both Methods" in the past, but I no longer do that.

Had a good buddy use a "Stainless" Bristle Brush in the barrel of a 357Mag of mine long ago while I was doing something else. It was great for cleaning the Chambers, but I had not intended it for use in my barrels. Got rid of them(after the horse was out of the barn) and replaced them with Hoppe's Tornado Brushes for the Chambers and continued using Brass Brushes in the Barrels.

To top it off, my buddy used a non-rotating Rod, so the scratches were across the Lands rather than running in the same Twist.

I clean my own, everytime they go outside, whether they get fired or not. And occasionally when they do not go outside.

Actually, I've done it both ways. If the fellow is a shooter, then I expect him to help out --UNDER MY CLOSE SUPERVISION. If it's just a guy that'd like to send a few downrange to see what it's like, I usually do the cleaning myself.

quote:

Originally posted by Boss Hoss:
Very picky about cleaning my irons..

I really don't let others shoot my rifles except a shot here or there. I am very picky about my rifles so I do it myself. I don't trust my nephew or some others to clean the way I do.

It seems that you posted this topic due to a bit of frustration to "clean up" someone else's "mess." If so, very understandable. The short answer is either teach them to clean properly and contribute, or don't let them shoot your guns, or continue as is.

I'm with Doc. If people want to shoot let them make the same commitment and buy a gun and all that goes with it join a club, the NRA, etc... stimulate the economy.

That's true but what if the newbie is wanting to "try out" some rifles before committing to buy a particular one??
After we were finished shooting, I believe I say something like: "Part of owning a gun is taking care of it. Now I will show you how to properly clean a rifle".

Yeah, it's a bit frustrating, I don't mind when they're new shooters, and with rifles they usually only shoot a few rounds. With the handguns they can get out of control though. more rounds means more money and makes the guns much dirtier. actually, now with the cost of ammo....

I'm going to limit the number I take.

I have thought about hiring a hot chick and teaching her how I like them cleaned and then just watching. maybe in a bikini....

Red

My wife is shooting with me every weekend getting ready for Africa.

She does not reload or clean rifles. In turn I do not vacuum or scrub toilets.

Pretty decent trade off.

The poll clearly states friends or family so the first option is how I do it. IMO dismantling & cleaning firearms is a great way to have someone gain a better understanding of their function & thus a greater respect for their use.
That doesn't mean I wont make sure they did it right afterwards.....

I always clean my own guns.

They are my guns I will clean them.