Firearm maintenance includes inspecting and testing a gun

Gun

A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...

 for worn or compromised parts, replacing parts, and keeping the gun properly cleaned and stored.

Cleaning

Firearm maintenance involves keeping the gun and all working parts free of carbon, metal particles (lead, copper, brass), and any other contaminant or foreign substance that may cause the gun to malfunction

Firearm malfunction

A firearm malfunction is the partial or complete failure of a firearm to operate as intended. Malfunctions range from temporary and relatively safe situations, such as a casing that didn't eject, to potentially dangerous occurrences that may permanently damage the gun and cause injury or death...

 or to wear out prematurely. Oiling and lubricating the gun is also necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the device, to keep it from rusting, and to condition the metal components.

Firearm

Firearm

A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...

s need to be partially or fully disassembled, when applicable, to properly clean them. A revolver

Revolver

A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...

 does not usually need to be disassembled, while a semi-automatic handgun

Handgun

A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....

 usually does.

Some tools used in gun cleaning are a bore snake

Bore snake

A bore snake is a tool used to clean the inside of the barrel of a gun. It resembles a short section of rope with a smaller, weighted cord attached to one end to help feed the bore snake through the barrel. A bore snake often has one or more integrated brushes to help clean the barrel, and may...

, used to clean the barrel, a cleaning rod and patches, also used to clean the barrel, and different solvents and gun oils, for example Ballistol

Ballistol

Ballistol is a mineral oil-based chemical which advertises that it has many uses. It was originally intended for cleaning, lubricating, and protecting firearms. The product originated from Germany before World War I, after the German military requested an 'all-around' oil and cleaner for their...

, used to remove contaminants and to lubricate and protect the components of the firearm. A jag is a cleaning tool that can be attached to the end of a ramrod

Ramrod

A ramrod is a device used with early firearms to push the projectile up against the propellant . It is also commonly referred to as a "scouring stick"...

, and is used with some historical firearms such as musket

Musket

A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....

s. Other tools, such as a screwdriver, are sometimes needed for disassembly.

Firearms should generally be cleaned after firing them, and a deep cleaning should be performed periodically.

Bolt Action Rifle

The first step is removing the bolt from the rifle. To do this, there is usually a button which needs to be held down while opening and pulling the bolt out of the rifle. If there is no button, then the bolt is removed by holding down the trigger while opening the bolt, and pulling the bolt out of the rifle. The bolt can be cleaned by gently wiping it down with a non-abrasive cloth. It is recommended you do not oil the bolt, because this can cause the bolt, or firing pin to stick in cold weather or after long periods of use. The barrel of the gun is cleaned by first passing one patch covered in gun cleaning solvent down the barrel using a cleaning rod. After the first solvent covered patch, it is recommended to refrain from using solvent of subsequent patches, and running patches through the barrel until one finally comes out completely clean. Once a patch can be passed through the barrel without getting dirty, the barrel is clean, and the bolt can be put back into the rifle. This is done by depressing the button used to take the bolt out, while putting the bolt back into the rifle, or by holding down the trigger while putting the bolt back into the rifle.