Cleaning my P320

[antonrugel_]

Trying to figure out the best way to clean my P320. Do you know of any good YouTube tutorials or could you share some tips? I’m just getting started, so I’d love any guidance from you guys

 

[Ace11]

Try watching Classic Firearms. I learned a lot of stuff from there.

 

[alolot22]

I usually use a bore snake or patches to clean the barrel, scrub the slide rails and locking block with a nylon brush, and then I apply a light coat of oil to the contact points. I've realized that less is more when it comes to lubrication.

 

[Jester560]

An Otis kit is the best way I have found. Otherwise, a full breakdown is the way to go.

 

[Glump Fistwhistle]

Wear Nitrile gloves to protect your hands and glasses to protect your eyes. (The brush will throw solvent and it stings eyes!) Check that the pistol is clear. Remove magazine and make sure it is empty. Check again to make sure the pistol is clear. Separate your slide from the frame, remove the recoil/spring guide rod, and the barrel. Start by running a solvent soaked patch through the bore from the chamber end several times so that it is thoroughly wet. Set aside to soak. Take a solvent wetted cleaning patch(s) and clean the magazine well, and the frame internals. Use a nylon brush first if it’s terribly fouled, followed by patches. Use a dry patch to remove as much solvent as practical and then LIGHTLY oil and set aside. Clean the recoil spring/guide rod assembly with solvent moistened patches, then dry patches and lightly oil. Using a solvent moistened patch, wipe down the exterior of your magazine, and the follower. Mostly it’s not necessary to strip down the magazine to clean internally, unless it is extremely dirty or fouled. Use a solvent wetted patch(s) to clean the slide. I found a toothpick is helpful to get inside of the slide rails. Dry with a clean patch, LIGHTLY oil and set aside. By this time, the barrel has had a chance to soak. Run a dry patch through from the chamber end to pull the loose fouling out. Take a bore brush, put some solvent on that and, from the chamber end, run it completely through and pull back several times. Use a paper towel and wrap it around the bore brush to pull out as much carbon/dirt as practical from the bristles. Run through a dry patch, followed by a wet patch, followed by a dry patch. It’s nearly impossible to get your barrel and rifling completely spotless nor is that absolutely necessary. We just want to remove the bulk of copper and powder fouling. With a solvent wet patch, clean off the exterior of the barrel and feed ramp area. Run an oil moistened patch through the barrel to LIGHTLY coat with oil. Lightly coat the exterior surface of the barrel with oil. Think light film of oil, not soaked. Inspect the bore to make sure there is no obstruction or cleaning patch fibers left inside. Re-assemble, check to make sure the pistol is empty, check function, and you should be good to go!

Other notes: I’ve found most all brands of gun maintenance chemicals to be excellent. My favorite is Shooter’s Choice.

It’s important to clean the barrel from the chamber end to avoid damage or wear to the muzzle end rifling as that could adversely affect accuracy.

Always remember to keep your finger clear of the trigger and check and recheck to make sure your firearm is empty. Then, still treat it as if it is loaded. Always do this, to the point of being silly. This will help you to build “muscle memory” so that it becomes second nature.

Cheers and happy shooting!