How often do you clean your barrels?

[Matt@Nearfield]

When I 1st get one and when I'm bored.

 

[P1000]

Honestly after every shoot.

 

[SHW]

After every tin … then the accuracy doesn’t drop off

 

[FPoole]

I'm sure barrel cleaning is directly related to the type of shooting you do. My money says a benchrest shooter cleans the barrel every time he shoots. An informal plinker, probably never. I don't actually do a thorough clean, ever, unless something is seriously wrong. I drag a pull through type cord, down my barrels, about every tin of pellets.

 

[DixieDean]

Upon purchase is my only rule, as many others have said, only tinker if something is amiss

 

[pjgtech]

There’s been a few thread recently about this so do a search and you should find them.
Personally l very rarely ever clean a barrel. Usually the first time l get a gun and then only if something is off.
My motto, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

^^^This^^^

 

[T3DAX]

I used to wait until my groups opened up but that was always in the middle of a comp so now I pull dry vfg pellet felts though after 500 is pellets just for peace of mind

 

[Manthing]

Not until absolutely necessary.

 

[EtheAv8r]

Unless it's part of the service schedule on an aeroplane..

Absolutely! Got a mandatory 500 hour undercarriage attachment bolt replacement coming up, only 8 bolts but will take me 2 days,

 

[zetecmk2]

i have to clean it?????

 

[MrD]

If you’re chasing indoor mm groups @ 25 yards it ‘may’ help. If shooting outdoors at challenging distances, I think it’s completely pointless.. no powder residue or copper fouling.
But each to their own, if it makes you feel better why not.

 

[Audi Swift]

If I think the accuracy is going off, or about half a tin of pellets, only a light pull through.
If I'm changing die or batch numbers I might rod the barrel for a deep clean.
Steyr.

Springers about every tin

 

[SaulGoodman]

When new, yet to clean after that.

 

[rwassell]

Thank you all so much for your replies.
I had trawled the forums but not seen anything which is why I asked.
I am glad I did though as there are some very helpful comments.
The 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' certainly seems to be the logical take away comment here.
Thank you all.
All the best with your shooting for 2026.
Rob

 

[Kingwahwah]

Good advice I got years ago.

Google search Inc. "airgunforums.co.uk" best way to find topics on here.

 

[Squint1958]

Only when I buy a new gun, and if I see groups start to open up.

 

[Two200's]

Only when it's had a soaking and then it's not to clean, but to protect.
Oiled felt pellet behind regular pellet, with silencer open / off and that's all.
I'm also one for protecting the crown of barrel with some grease that's as close to earwax as possible. Especially if it's inside a stripper / silencer, or adaptor.
A mucky barrel can be cleaned if necessary - a rusty bore is damaged permanently - it may not effect the accuracy in real terms, but every time you miss, you'll blame the barrel.

If someone offered me even a slightly rusty gun at a total steal of a price, I would do without.

1 piece of teatowel, 5 minutes of attention and some oil is all that is needed.