The only guns that I personally have seen that were cleaning-damaged are old Mosin rifles that were cleaned using steel rods and no bore guides. The wear is very specific, it's always by the muzzle.

Using a quality rod that is plastic-coated or made of brass should be enough to prevent damage. Bending of the rod in the bore is really not an issue with pistol-length rods. Recently, I decided to go fancy and got a carbon-fiber rod for my rifles, and I think I will get one for pistols as well.

We're supposed to clean these things?

Power clean em!!!

Come on man!!!
I relly do appreciate the humor, but am looking for real prctical knowledge.
Don't get me wrong, I subscribe to the philosophy of better to be a smart ass than a dumb ass.
I am however NOT going to put my pistol in the dishwasher!
(and I need NO perverted comments on that)!!!!

Perfectly safe, Glocks shoot under water too!

What harm do you think a dishwasher would cause?

I think the lead contaminates getting into the dishwasher would be the problem.

I work in the restaurant industry.
I've seen the damage the chemicals we use can cause on glassware and silverware.
PLEASE don't tell me that dishwasher chemicals will cause no harm on firearms!!
Etching and corrosion are commonplace, and stock needs to be replaced frequently because of wear due to the cleaners and sanitisers we use.
THEY EAT METAL!!!!

I will make no comment about the range guns at gun shops ... wait, I just did.

Actually, that may emphasize the point: As long as it's clean enough to fire, it's clean enough for today. And, Don't let excessive cleaning interfere in your range time.

I wonder though, how often DO the range guns get cleaned?

I put 300 rounds through a XD9 at Robbinsdale the other day, what a great day

I agree. Our tumbler at home are badly etched, probably from the phosphorous in the dishwashing detergent.

What I don't get is why our dishes aren't always clean despite the fact that our tumblers look like vessels from a science experiment.

I actually run my glocks through the dishwasher - top rack only with nothing else in there - no detergent either - the hot water just blasts the crap off of the guns

I treat the BBL with RB17 before dishwashing - washes out - it is water soluble.

If we didn't have a weapons solvent tank we would take the M60 barrels to the shower.

After the range I spray down the gun and barrel with some remoil for the ride home. Once home I clean up the barrel, gun, and magazines. Then it's WD-40 and a air hose being careful of the small parts. Finished off with a good oiling.

The picture was "tongue in cheek" .........however now that I expand my thinking I do clean my shotguns at seasons end by disassembling and using hot soapy water and a toothbrush @ the kitchen sink. I thoroughly clean the bolts/trigger assemblies/actionbars etc then use air or hair dryer to dry..... then oil and store.

You guys are scary, I'm not bring my toys over to your house....

You do realize that one method of cutting diamonds uses high pressure water jets.......DIAMONDS.......not metal and plastic

I got in to a discussion with the Glock factory rep at one of bill’s shot shows a couple of years ago about cleaning my Glock what is needed how often ect... He told me to just put it in the dishwasher in the top shelf, you just need to check it & lube it up afterwards. He also stated that at the Glock armors school they have a dishwasher in the classroom just to clean the guns.

Take it for what it is worth.

Dorian