NRA Cleaning & Maintenance Flashcards

What type of solvent is most effective for removing carbon fouling from a firearm bore?

Answer: Carbon/powder solvent such as Hoppe's No. 9

Carbon/powder solvents such as Hoppe's No. 9 are specifically formulated to dissolve carbon deposits and powder fouling from the bore and action.

What is the correct direction to run a cleaning patch through a rifle barrel?

Answer: From breech to muzzle, to avoid forcing debris into the action

Patches should always be pushed from breech to muzzle to prevent debris from being pushed back into the action and to exit the muzzle cleanly.

What is the primary risk of over-lubricating a firearm?

Answer: Attracting dirt and debris, causing malfunctions and potential action sluggishness

Excess lubricant attracts and holds dirt, grit, and carbon fouling, which can cause malfunctions, and in cold weather, thick oil can slow the action.

What is bore erosion and what causes it?

Answer: Mechanical wear and heat erosion caused by the passage of hot, high-pressure gases and bullets

Bore erosion is the gradual wear of the rifling lands and grooves caused by the abrasive and heat effects of high-pressure propellant gases and bullet passage.

What tool is used to clean the forcing cone area of a revolver barrel?

Answer: A brass brush sized for the caliber, run from the cylinder gap side

A brass brush sized to the caliber can be inserted from the cylinder gap side to scrub carbon buildup from the forcing cone and barrel throat.

How often should a firearm's recoil spring be inspected and potentially replaced?

Answer: According to the manufacturer's recommended round count or if signs of fatigue are present

Recoil springs should be inspected at manufacturer-recommended intervals or round counts, and replaced if coils show fatigue, compression set, or if failures to return to battery occur.