GSI GSI Firearm Cleaning & Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What common firearm malfunction is often caused by insufficient lubrication or a dirty action?
- Hangfire
- Failure to feed or failure to eject (Correct answer)
- Squib load
- Case head separation
Correct answer: Failure to feed or failure to eject
Excessive friction from inadequate lubrication or carbon buildup in the action commonly causes failures to feed or failures to eject in semi-automatic firearms.
Question 2: Which tool is used to push cleaning patches through the barrel from breech to muzzle?
- Bore snake
- Cleaning rod (Correct answer)
- Nylon brush
- Chamber flag
Correct answer: Cleaning rod
A cleaning rod is a rigid or semi-rigid rod used to push patches and brushes through the barrel in the correct breech-to-muzzle direction to avoid damaging the crown.
Question 3: Why is it important to clean the chamber of a firearm during routine maintenance?
- To improve trigger pull weight
- To remove carbon and residue that can cause feeding problems and affect headspace (Correct answer)
- To adjust the timing of the action
- To polish the chamber for faster reloads
Correct answer: To remove carbon and residue that can cause feeding problems and affect headspace
Carbon buildup in the chamber can prevent cartridges from seating fully, cause extraction difficulties, and affect headspace, all of which can lead to dangerous malfunctions.
Question 4: What is the correct direction to push a cleaning rod through a rifle barrel to protect the muzzle crown?
- Muzzle to breech only
- Breech to muzzle (Correct answer)
- Either direction is acceptable
- Alternating directions each pass
Correct answer: Breech to muzzle
Cleaning from the breech toward the muzzle protects the critical muzzle crown from damage by the rod and prevents fouling from being pushed over the leade and forcing cone.
Question 5: What should a GSI instructor tell students about using household oils (like WD-40) as a long-term firearm lubricant?
- WD-40 is the preferred lubricant for all firearm surfaces
- WD-40 is a water displacer, not a long-term lubricant, and can leave residue that attracts fouling (Correct answer)
- WD-40 is only suitable for cleaning revolvers
- WD-40 is acceptable if applied very sparingly
Correct answer: WD-40 is a water displacer, not a long-term lubricant, and can leave residue that attracts fouling
WD-40 is a water-displacing product, not a dedicated gun lubricant; it evaporates quickly and leaves a residue that can attract dirt and gum up firearm actions over time.
Question 6: After cleaning, what is the final safety check an instructor should teach students to perform?
- Load the firearm immediately to confirm it cycles correctly
- Function-check the firearm (dry-fire check) pointed in a safe direction to confirm proper reassembly (Correct answer)
- Apply a heavy coat of oil to all surfaces
- Store the firearm immediately without further inspection
Correct answer: Function-check the firearm (dry-fire check) pointed in a safe direction to confirm proper reassembly
A function check after reassembly confirms all parts are correctly installed and the firearm will operate safely before it is stored or used again.
GSI GSI Firearm Cleaning & Maintenance 2
What common firearm malfunction is often caused by insufficient lubrication or a dirty action?