How to Clean Your Revolver Kat Ainsworth — April 7, 2019 If you were to count every

How to Clean Your Revolver

Kat Ainsworth — April 7, 2019If you were to count every revolver model and variant on the market, the running tally would climb into the hundreds. For example, depending on production year and model, your revolver might have three, four or five screws. You’ll quickly discover how many yours has when it comes time to clean your revolver.

Today, most revolvers incorporate three screws, although there are still some models utilizing the classic five-screw design. So, how do you clean your revolver? As you’ll find below, basic revolver cleaning is quite simple. Remember, manuals and properly executed revolver books are your friends.

Clear the Revolver

Before cleaning any gun, you must clear it. When you clear your revolver, take care to follow the four universal safety rules:

• All guns are always loaded.
• Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
• Always be sure of your target (and what is beyond).

Release the cylinder latch to swing the cylinder out away from the frame. Taking care to aim the gun in a safe direction, rotate the gun muzzle-up and push the ejector rod to empty the chambers. Now check every chamber of the cylinder by sight and touch to be confident there are no obstructions. It might seem excessive, but you can never be too safe. Accidents happen when we skip steps.

Here’s the catch: You will continue to treat the revolver as if it were loaded. Sticking to these practices turns them into a habit, and safety is the greatest habit you can hone as a gun owner.

The Takedown

When you’re only doing a basic cleaning, there is not much involved with prep work: Swing the cylinder open and get to cleaning. In this case, let’s assume you want to do a basic cleaning plus a little extra … but not a full inspection. As a general rule, you only need to perform in-depth field-stripping and inspection once a year.

1. Verify your revolver is empty, as outlined above.

2. Remove the grip panels or sleeve. If one of the grip panels sticks and you're sure the screws are completely loosened, use the tip of your finger to carefully nudge the panel free of the frame. Don't pry at the edges of the panel with tools because you might scratch or gouge the panel or the frame beneath it.

• You should use gunsmith-specific screwdrivers rather than whatever is in your household toolbox. When screwdriver bits don’t fit precisely, they can slip and permanently damage the gun. For example, if they’re too large, the overhang can scrape and gouge your revolver’s frame. Also, oversized bits will not fit if the screw is recessed.

.