Gotta clean my new handgun but I’m kind of nervous!

[SuperGuy185 16]

Hey all,

ad you may have seen in other threads I recently purchased a new M&P 2.0 9mm full size and I was told to field strip and clean before first use (which I will do).  I’ve just never done anything like this before and I’m a little nervous to do so.  Anyone have any tips on cleaning their handguns?

Thanks!

[silverado427 10,715]

Youtube is your friend.

[bhunted 887]

Don't shoot yourself in the nuts. 

[High Exposure 5,664]

26 minutes ago, bhunted said:

Don't shoot yourself in the nuts. 

That is a good tip!

Where did you get it? A lot of shops will walk you through first time disassembly if you are unsure.

And, as stated above, YouTube can be helpful as well.

[Bomber 1,091]

On 10/9/2021 at 2:18 PM, Vitalian2184 said:

Hey all,

ad you may have seen in other threads I recently purchased a new M&P 2.0 9mm full size and I was told to field strip and clean before first use (which I will do).  I’ve just never done anything like this before and I’m a little nervous to do so.  Anyone have any tips on cleaning their handguns?

The gun is new and unfired so all thats needed is remove the slide and run some cleaning patches through the barrel followed by some oiled patches and lightly lube the slide areas/barrel contact points.

You can wipe down the slide and barrel with oil if not going to the range soon. 

As mentioned watch some youtube vids first, M&P's are very easy to break down for cleaning. 

 

[Redeye65 162]

1 hour ago, silverado427 said:

Youtube is your friend.

Youtube taught me how to clean all my guns, some very in-depth videos and some basic videos.

I knew how to field strip and clean my first hand gun even before I picked it up.

Dont sweat it, it will become easy, and possibly enjoyable. 

[WP22 1,558]

Lead traveling at around 1200 feet per second down the barrel is an effective cleaner.

[CMJeepster 2,778]

Rule #1:  DO NOT HAVE AMMO ANYWHERE NEAR IT.

[SuperGuy185 16]

11 minutes ago, CMJeepster said:

Rule #1:  DO NOT HAVE AMMO ANYWHERE NEAR IT.

Yes I plan on locking all ammo/loaded magazine in a separate closet while cleaning.  I'm not sure if that is overkill or not but thats what I plan on doing.

[FishNHard 145]

get your self and old towl to clean your gun on , get yourself a good cleaner i use  MPRO 7 And find a good dissemble video on youtube save to you folder,

[bennj 215]

Being nervous about your first cleaning is absolutely normal, and maybe not a bad thing. I must have watched different YouTube videos a zillion times (ok, maybe a million) before my first time. Just go slow with a basic field strip and you'll be fine. If you get stuck don't panic, just let us know. Helped my son with his S&W 2.0 and it was a piece of cake, relax you'll do fine.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

first and formost......no ammo, no mags in the same room as the gun. none.

 

 then as someone else mentioned, check youtube. you'd be surprised whatcha can find there

[JackDaWack 2,895]

7 hours ago, silverado427 said:

Youtube is your friend.

Literally. 

Safety check it's unloaded and have at it. 

 

Unless it's a ruger Mk 1 2 or 3, it's hard to screw up.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

1 minute ago, 1LtCAP said:

first and formost......no ammo, no mags in the same room as the gun. none.

 

 then as someone else mentioned, check youtube. you'd be surprised whatcha can find there

i'll also add.....don't be nervous. people make mistakes when they're scared or just nervous. just respect the weapon.

[Bomber 1,091]

5 hours ago, Vitalian2184 said:

Yes I plan on locking all ammo/loaded magazine in a separate closet while cleaning.  I'm not sure if that is overkill or not but thats what I plan on doing.

No.

To some people (not me) overkill is practicing field striping blindfolded while in a closet.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

overkill is just right. unless you're flushing a 50 gallon fuel tank with water and blue dawn. then overkill is overkill. don't ask me how i know this.

[Ms. 12 Gauge 95]

Don't be nervous! Cleaning your firearm for the first time is great! It'll help you learn the relationship between all of the parts and you'll have a better understanding of what they all do. It should have come with a user manual which would have a schematic for the official name of all of the pieces. Have that accessible while you're watching a couple YouTube videos. Prepare a clutter free work area, and have a tray or dish handy that you can put the pieces on like the guide rod and spring that might want to roll away otherwise. If you're nervous about just handling your firearm, don't be. Without the ammo in the same room, it's just a hunk of metal and maybe polymer. If you're nervous about doing it wrong, just don't try to force anything that doesn't want to be pulled apart or put together. Other than that, it's pretty easy. If you're exceptionally concerned about doing it yourself, there are gun cleaning classes offered at most ranges, but you can learn just as much if not more from the internet. If you just want the moral support, ask around at the range you might find a friend that's willing to show you how.  I once thought it was super complicated and scary but it gives you much more hands on knowledge of your tools. 

[SuperGuy185 16]

I will remove all ammo from my basement in locked containers and clear/safety check.  Thank you all for inspiring confidence.  I have a little TV with a fire stick in my work area to help me field strip/clean.  Thank you all again!

[kc17 622]

Another tip, take a lot of pictures from different angles during the process. For reference during reassembly. 

[SuperGuy185 16]

I removed all of my ammo from my cleaning area and just field stripped my Firearm about 30 times to get used to the process.  I'm probably going to clean it Tuesday when I get a better cleaning kit in the mail.  After that I am going to join my local range and began practicing.

[GRIZ 3,369]

As someone mentioned get a towel to clean your firearm on.  The best thing to wipe the firearm with is an old tshirt. Absorbent and no lint.  As you grow more confident, you can make patches from an old tshirt.

I haven't bought patches in years.

[bhunted 887]

I must be missing something here. Nobody mentions reading the manual? If I recall, a manual that came with all my guns, complete instructions on break down, cleaning and lube points.... 

[Scorpio64 5,153]

[SuperGuy185 16]

Well I just cleaned my firearm (or at least I think I did) took about 45 minutes to do but I think I covered everything.  Thanks everyone here for your support.

[Ms. 12 Gauge 95]

7 hours ago, bhunted said:

I must be missing something here. Nobody mentions reading the manual? If I recall, a manual that came with all my guns, complete instructions on break down, cleaning and lube points.... 

I mentioned it. 

14 minutes ago, Vitalian2184 said:

Well I just cleaned my firearm (or at least I think I did) took about 45 minutes to do but I think I covered everything.  Thanks everyone here for your support.

It gets quicker as you get more confident. Until you get an ultrasonic cleaner!

[Krdshrk 3,877]

1 hour ago, Vitalian2184 said:

Well I just cleaned my firearm (or at least I think I did) took about 45 minutes to do but I think I covered everything.  Thanks everyone here for your support.

Did you function check it after re-assembling?  Unloaded, dry fire, hold the trigger in, cycle the slide manually, let the trigger reset (you should hear a click) then pull it again.  Make sure everything clicks and resets ok.

[SuperGuy185 16]

I did a function check and it appears to be in line.  Thank you for asking that question

[SuperGuy185 16]

On 10/9/2021 at 3:31 PM, High Exposure said:

That is a good tip!

Where did you get it? A lot of shops will walk you through first time disassembly if you are unsure.

And, as stated above, YouTube can be helpful as well.

I got it at Legend Firearms in Monroe.  I didn’t want to take up their time as they were SUPER busy (seems like no one is having trouble getting permits in this area).  But I think I figured it out I was able to dry fire the gun several times with no problems.

[bennj 215]

Good for you, now go to the range and get it all dirty. Let us know how it shoots!

[SuperGuy185 16]

Yeah I’m joining the union hill gun club on Friday so I plan on shooting about 50 rounds.