[thomasaj]

i bought my first handgun yesterday. a 4" 9mm and im going to go out today and put about 200 rnds through it. i was just wondering is there anything i should do before doing this? beside cleaning the gun what maintenance is needed.

[jd1911]

great purchase i have a kd 5 inch 45 that i love my gun dealer told me to clean it and take to the range that was it hope you enjoy it and welcome to the site oh yeah these guys and gals know alot more than me

[LarryO1970]

Quote:       Originally Posted by thomasaj

i bought my first handgun yesterday. a 4" 9mm and im going to go out today and put about 200 rnds through it. i was just wondering is there anything i should do before doing this? beside cleaning the gun what maintenance is needed.

As always ... remember BMW & CLS

BMW ... look for Broken or cracked parts, look for Missing parts and look for Worn parts.

CLS ... Clean, Lubricate and Serviceability (function check).

Do this with all guns when cleaning and/or before heading out to fire.

Your XD (and mine) are no different.

[thomasaj]

Quote:       Originally Posted by LarryO1970

BMW & CLS

i how often should i clean, and lube. i dont even know how to do that but im sure i can find it online.

[LarryO1970]

Quote:       Originally Posted by thomasaj

i how often should i clean, and lube. i dont even know how to do that but im sure i can find it online.

It should be in your owners manual.. assuming you got one in your purchase.


KEEP YOUR GUN CLEAN AT ALL TIMES
Basic materials needed:
• Cleaning rod of proper size with bristle bore
brushes (fiber or brass) and tip into which cleaning
patch can be inserted.
• Cloth patches
• Powder solvent
• Lubricating oil
• Small lint-free cloths for wiping and oiling
• Bristle brush for scrubbing dirt off breech face, extractor, magazine lips, follower, etc.

Use proper size bore brushes and patches - if they are too small they won’t do the job, and if they are too large they will bind inside bore.

When possible, insert cleaning rod from chamber end of bore and push rod all the way through so it emerges from muzzle.

Do not “reverse” rod direction when patch or brush is in barrel, it might bind. Do not use patches dripping with solvent or oil. Wet patches or brushes, then squeeze out excess before using.

When using bore brushes or a larger bristle brush on breech face, breech areas, magazines, etc., work carefully to prevent damaging components.
Note: If lower parts of receiver and its mechanism are
especially dirty, soak in appropriate solvent, or flush clean with
same solvent. Make certain that all foreign matter is removed
after cleaning. Lightly oil after cleaning.

Only a very small amount of oil is needed to adequately
lubricate moving parts and prevent rust. Accumulation of oil
tends to attract dust and dirt which interferes with the safe and
reliable functioning of pistol. Do not apply excess lubricating oil.

CARE & CLEANING

1. Point gun in safe direction.

2. Remove magazine and empty chamber.

3. Separate cartridges from pistol before cleaning operation.

4. Open slide and visually check that chamber and magazine well are free of cartridges.

5. Disassemble pistol as described in the DISASSEMBLY Section.

6. Using cleaning rod, run solvent-wetted patch through barrel several times.

7. Attach solvent-wetted bristle brush to rod and run back and forth full length of bore as needed until clean of grease and dirt.

8. Clean barrel with dry patches and examine it. If necessary, repeat barrel scrubbing. Bore fouling can contribute to reduced accuracy, and grease
accumulation in the chamber can interfere with proper feeding of cartridges from magazine.

9. Using powder solvent on a clean patch, remove powder residue from all components of mechanism. If grease or dirt cannot be removed by wiping with patch, use solvent-wetted bristle brush.

10. Next, wipe scrubbed areas with solvent wetted patch.

11. After cleaning, run dry patch through barrel, then follow with lightly-oiled patch.

12. Wipe all surfaces clean with cloth, then wipe all surfaces with lightly-oiled patch (or cloth).

13. Reassemble pistol. Remember, an improperly assembled firearm is dangerous and should not be fired. Always consult an experienced gunsmith if you experience any difficulty or have any questions concerning assembly procedure.

14. If pistol is to be stored for an extended period, final oil wiping can be heavier so there will be less tendency for it to evaporate.

15. Keep your gun clean at all times.

[thomasaj]

yesterday i put about 150 rounds through my gun with my wife. so far I've put 350. i noticed around the 250 mark the trigger lightened up. also i packed a full magazine and let it stand from the last time we shot. and it was noticeable smoother for my wife to load. she still cant lock the slide back. she's a very small 110 pounds. the spring should lighten up eventually i think.

been cleaning with a bore snake and hoppe's bore cleaner and there lube as well. just use a tooth brush and lube up the slide rails and other components.

her and i shot the 3inch and 5 inch models before buying this one. the three inch had a lot of recoil. and for a target gun did not find it comfortable. but the four is a very well rounded gun

[Marc]

Larry01970,
Awsome write and info. very informative, thanks. I was looking at a couple of Rugers but really considering the XD9 Sub-Com. or the 4" Com. that's the main kicker right now.
When I decide, this will be very helpfull.

Thanks,
Marc
<><

[blueice]

Fine post, Larry...I am going to keep it, until I can do it blind...

[DWARREN123]

Clean, lube, shoot!
Congrats on getting a good pistol.

[Oxford]

Here are pictures of both sides of my XD 9mm, sub compact. It's a great handgun...glad I have one in my collection.

Ox

[nathangdad]

but do not forget lubricaton. Lubrication of a semi-auto is very, very, important.

[blueice]

Quote:       Originally Posted by DWARREN123

Clean, lube, shoot! Congrats on getting a good pistol.

I learned that in high school, if you know what I mean.....

Quote:       Originally Posted by Oxford

Here are pictures of both sides of my XD 9mm, sub compact. It's a great handgun...glad I have one in my collection. Ox

Nice piece, indeed, YourOxship! All of our mods should be so well protected...

[FortyXDM]

Just what Larry O said. Great weapon of choice.

[KW Gary M]

Quote:       Originally Posted by thomasaj

i how often should i clean, and lube. i dont even know how to do that but im sure i can find it online.

I don't mean this comment as being insulting at all or talking down to you. Please don't take it as an insult. It is meant to be made as a safety suggestion. You saying you don't know how to clean or lube your gun and you saying it is your first handgun makes me believe you have little or no handgun experience. Spend a few hours and dollars with an instructor at your local range and ask to start as simple as "This is the trigger, This goes bang" and go over EVERYTHING from opening the box for the very first time to shooting the gun. Have him/her show you how to safely load, unload, take down, clean, put the gun back together, clear jams, choose ammo, insert the magazine and probably 1,000 other things I can't think of right now. Any time the word gun is used the word safety should also be used. A gun can save your life but not handled properly your own gun can kill you or accidentally kill someone else. The NRA also offers classes for everyone from someone who has never seen a gun up to the expert shooter looking for new tips. Again, I don't mean this to sound like I am talking down to you or insulting you. That is not my intention. Having a gun you don't know how to safely use can be far more dangerous than not having a gun at all.

Clean and oil your gun after every use. A clean, well oiled gun is a happy gun. I like Gun Scrubber to clean and Rem Oil to lube.

With that said, congratulations on the purchase of a great gun. I own 3 XD's, an XDM and a Springfield 1911. My opinion is Springfield is the best gun for the dollar on the market. I took all of mine out of the box, oiled them well and shot away. They all shot perfect right out of the box. Treat every gun as if it is loaded, keep every gun pointed in a safe direction at all times, never point a gun at anything you don't want to kill or destroy, shoot often, shoot safe and have fun.

[blueice]

Quote:       Originally Posted by blueice

Fine post, Larry...I am going to keep it, until I can do it blind...

Mr O, I am passing on your information to a gun newbie friend of mine.