Keep your carry gun clean!

[Hershmeister]

Took my sig238 out yesterday for a few minutes of target practice and first shot was click, no bang. Tap, rack and again click no bang.

Upon further inspection i saw a large lint build up on the back where the hammer should strike the rear firing pin. Having no tools handy, i used a piece of straw to remove most of the lint. Second attempt worked fine, but with a scattering of FTFs due to light primer strikes. The firing pin channel was definitely dirty from lint.

Lesson learned! Be sure to clean those pocket carry guns often - this would have been disastrous if I had actually need the weapon.

[RED333]

Make your heart beat a bit faster?

[peejman]

I look at mine periodically and blow it out with compressed air when I see significant lint.

I'll add that minimal lubrication helps in that regard. Grease/oil mixed with lint turns to goo. Edited March 20, 2016 by peejman

[AtomicRooster]

Daily. RemOil wipes. Easypeasy.

[BrasilNuts]

If you shoot it on a regular basis it tends to keep the lint blown out.

[KKing]

I'll be that guy. Wouldn't have happened if it were a glock :stir:

[Pete123]

This is the second story I've heard of lint making a carry gun un useable.

[Erik88]

It's interesting that you mention the p238 because just today I was cleaning my wife's and found some concerning wear on the barrel. I would expect the finish to come off but the barrel actually has some metal that is missing due to wear. I'm wondering if the recoil spring is worn out and not doing a good enough job of slowing down the slide. It probably has 1000-1300 rounds down the pipe.

 

I'm a bit concerned honestly.

[Caster]

Monthly....I think.

I have shot my G19 and had a small plume of fuzz and lint. Never fails.

[Hershmeister]

I have to admit - with all my time focuses on our recent new home construction, its been a loooooong time since i cleaned the pistol. Lesson learned