Air pistols do not generate heat nor do they require gun powder as a propellant, thus the two primary reasons for cleaning a handgun are absent. In fact, CO2 air pistols are almost maintenance free. Almost, however, means that even an air pistol needs to be cleaned from time to time. Maintenance is really more about keeping things running smoothly and preventing seals from drying out than it is about dirty bores and gummed-up actions. Different air pistols have specific cleaning requirements, but the basics of cleaning a CO2 air pistol remain the same. Over time, all air pistols are subject to leading from pellets, residue from steel BBs and a build-up of minor fouling that can hurt performance. Having said that, air pistols do not need to be cleaned after every trip to the range; in fact, it isn’t even recommended until 1,000 rounds have been fired. It is recommended, however, to clean the bore and any exposed interior surfaces before firing a brand new gun to remove any oils or residue.

RELATED STORY: 6 Tips For Cleaning Your Rifle Bore The most important thing with a CO2 air pistol, especially blowback models, is the lubrication of moving parts, and for CO2 guns a drop of lubricant like Crosman Pellgun Oil on the tip of each CO2 capsule before it is inserted is beneficial to overall operation and longevity. Its formulation helps to protect and preserve the rubber O-rings, the CO2 capsule’s piercing mechanism and the air gun’s seals. It can also be used to lubricate moving parts like the follower in the magazine, the base of the hammer and the trigger hinge. RWS Spring Cylinder Oil is also ideal for the latter job, as it comes with an applicator needle to place a drop of oil exactly where it is needed in a single drop. RELATED STORY: 4 Air Guns For Your Next Training Session The bore should also be given a periodic cleaning and the Umarex Airgun Cleaning Kit has all of the necessary tools required to get the job done for the majority of air pistols and air rifles.

Priced at $16, it includes a 33-inch, flexible, plastic-coated rod that will not scratch the barrel, .177- and .22-caliber chamber brushes, patch rods, bore mops and a rod handle that converts into a screwdriver (with a six-bit driver set) for most air gun disassembly requirements.air duct cleaning vacuum RELATED STORY: 14 Umarex Air Pistols & Air Rifles From the GUN BUYER’S ANNUAL 2016 Buyer’s Guidesamsung air purifier ac When cleaning an air pistol, only use products recommended for air pistols, and never use gun cleaning solvents because they can get into the valves, damage valve seats and the rubber or synthetic materials in the internal mechanism. air purifiers for whole houseCleaning the barrel should be a simple process to ensure that there is no fouling.

If needed, an air pistol bore brush is used to loosen any buildup, a dry patch to clean it out (a second or third patch until it comes out clean, just like a cartridge-firing handgun) and the bore mop at the end for a final wipe. The bore brush is not necessary for most cleaning and is more for air pistols that fire lead pellets rather than those that fire steel BBs. With pellets and rifled barrels, there is also a chance of leading after a significant number of rounds. Edit ArticleHow to Clean a Gun Three Parts:Getting StartedCleaning the GunMaintaining GunsCommunity Q&A Properly inspecting and regularly cleaning your guns will keep them functioning effectively and firing safely. Because of the tiny explosion in the chamber every time you pull the trigger, residue and sediment are left on the inside of the barrel, making it essential that you take the time to clean it regularly to avoid dangerous malfunctions. You should clean a gun after every time you fire it, and particularly after target practice when you are firing lots of rounds.

See Step 1 to learn to start cleaning your guns properly. Get a cleaning kit. Whether you purchase a pre-assmebled cleaning kit from a sporting goods store or you assemble the necessary components individually, you'll need a few basic things to have in your arsenal of cleaning supplies. A basic set includes: Lubricant, or gun oil A patch holder and patches A nylon cleaning brush Microfiber cloths for polishingAlways take the time to properly unload your gun and double-check to make sure that it's unloaded every time you pick it up to clean it. Remember that your gun may still have a round ready to fire after you remove the magazine, so check and remove this round. After opening the chamber, look through the barrel from back to front. Confirm that no round remains inside, either in the chamber or stuck in the barrel. No gun can be considered unloaded until you have looked through the barrel. Disassemble your gun only as much as the manufacturer recommends.

Check the owner's manual for disassembly instructions to prepare the gun for cleaning. This will allow you to access all parts that become dirty from firing. Semi-automatic pistols and rifles will generally be stripped into their major components: barrel, slide, guide rod, frame and magazine. Revolvers, shotguns, and most other sorts of guns will not need to be stripped to clean them. Field stripping is not necessary to clean the gun thoroughly. Don't take apart your gun more than you have to unless it requires repair. Likewise, some guns can't be stripped at all and it won't be necessary to do anything but open the chamber to clean it. Always clean your gun in a well-ventilated area. Find a a place with good air circulation to clean your guns. Solvent fumes are noxious and can make you sick. Likewise, the solvent and lubricant used just flat-out smell foul if you try to clean your guns indoors, so keep your family happy and don't stink up the joint. Cover your work surface with plastic bags, newspaper, or old towels you've saved for the purpose.

Head out to the garage and put the door up, or clean your guns on a bright and dry day to get them cleaned properly. Clean out the barrel with cleaning rod and patches. Soak the bore, or inside of the barrel, using a cleaning rod, patch holder and the right size cotton patches for your gun. Work from the back of the bore if you can. If not, use a muzzle guard. The muzzle guard keeps the cleaning rod from banging against the muzzle, which can cause your gun to malfunction. To thoroughly clean the barrel out, push a solvent-soaked patch through the bore until it exits the other end. Remove the patch, don't pull it back through. Pulling it back through will just redeposit all the gunk you clean off. Alternate the bore brush and patches to thoroughly scrub the barrel. Remove the patch holder and attach the bore brush. Run the bore brush back and forth along the full length of the bore 3 or 4 times to loosen any debris. Next, reattach the patch holder and run solvent-soaked cotton patches through the bore.

Remove them when they exit the front. Repeat this process until a patch comes out clean. Run one more dry patch through to dry it out and inspect it closely for any build-up you may have missed.Attach the cotton mop to the cleaning rod. Apply a few drops of gun conditioner or lubricant to the cotton mop and run it through the bore to leave a light coating of gun oil on the inside. Clean and lubricate the action with solvent. Apply solvent to the gun brush and brush all parts of the action. Wipe them dry with a clean cloth. Next, lubricate the moving parts of the action lightly. A light coating helps prevent rust. A heavy coating gets gummy and attracts debris, so only use a small amount. Wipe down the rest of your gun with a luster cloth. This is a flannel cloth that comes pre-treated with a silicon lubricant. It will remove any remaining debris, including acid from fingerprints, and add shine. If you don't have a particular cloth designated for cleaning guns, old t-shirts and pairs of socks work really well for the purpose.

Use something you've got lying around and won't need to reuse. Clean your gun after every use. A good-quality firearm is a significant investment, whether you're using it for sport, hunting, or home defense. Make sure you give it the attention it deserves whenever you get back from a round of firing it. The whole cleaning process, start to finish, only takes 20 or 30 minutes. It's worth it to do it regularly. You might even consider getting out old guns from the back of the closet and doing them all at once while you've got the materials out. Consider investing in a barrel snake and/or ultrasonic cleaners. Store your guns unloaded in a cool and dry environment. To ensure the longest life for your gun, don't store them anywhere they'll be significantly affected by the elements. Keep them indoors, in temperature-controlled environments. Consider investing in trigger locks to keep your gun safe and tamper proof. Soft or hard cases are available for guns, anywhere as cheap as $15 or $20.