Anything more relaxing than cleaning guns?

[burleytog]

Spent about 4 hours tonight giving my children a bath.  Russian ammo may be cheap, but is sure is d**n dirty.  Ye olde Bushmaster runs on a steady diet of Wolf, don't know if I've ever seen that much carbon in a bolt.

FWIW, Barnes CR-10 will sure as hell open your sinuses.  Like having an ammonia ampule broken right under your nose.

[IMPY03]

cleaning guns at 3 am in the morning? I thought I was the only person on this forum with insomnia lol

[TheBeast]

Got nothing to do with insomnia.   I wouldn't mind knowing every Thursday I'm gonna be at work for 10 hours and know that I will have nothing at all to do so I need to bring something to pass the time.  

[=Matt 5.0=]

My saltwater reels were bound up so I spent a few hours cleaning them. Pretty relaxing. Nice to know they are good to go while waist deep in the suds.

[jax]

There is absolutely nothing more relaxing than cleaning my carry piece. I enjoy cleaning my other guns but it doesn't compare to cleaning my S&W M&P 9mm. This is for family protection when we are out. Knowing it is in tip top shape relaxes me more than any other hobby I have. The piece of mind it brings knowing that is will work when I need it is priceless.

I love cleaning guns! There is something about the smell and feel of cool metal that is clean and slightly oily to the touch.

[fishinfiend]

When I read this, I could not help but think about the scene from Full Metal Jacket where Private Pile is in the bathroom with his rifle  

[Siebert Outdoors]

I hate cleaning my guns.  Pain in the but.  I'd prefer shooting them. LOL.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

When I read this, I could not help but think about the scene from Full Metal Jacket where Private Pile is in the bathroom with his rifle

7.62 millimeter....Full...Metal....Jacket....    

;D

[jax]

Cleaning guns depends on your prospective. If you view it as cleaning up the dirt then it will be tedious and boring.

I view it as a calm time to review my gun and make sure it is operational. I have a kid so when I clean it means she is in bed or gone. It is down time so that I have the time to make sure my gun is in the best working order. I don't want to increase the odds of something happening to it when I need it he most by not inspection or cleaning it. My  carry piece is my prized tool to take care of situations that I can not talk my way out of. It is not my bragging right. I don't like people to know when I am carrying. I rarely have it out of it's holster unless I'm at the range. Cleaning it is the only time I get to admire the beauty of it. I carry so often that I don't feel it on my hip anymore. It is like carrying my wallet. It is a tool for a purpose that I have grown accustomed to. (I have grown accustomed to the tool. Not the purpose of the use.)

That being said I am not a gun slinger. I have no desire to prove myself. I do not have the "little man" syndrome. My gun is a tool just like a fire extinguisher in the kitchen or a hammer.

BUT it is a deadly weapon that has been made with precision. It is my baby. I HAVE to look after it or it won't look after me. I HAVE to keep up with it to keep little hands from finding it... It is not really cleaning it so much as taking care of it. Rifles are the same way. You get what you give.

I will admit that I do not care to clean my other guns as much as my carry peice but then again I'm not betting my little girls life against my other guns as often.

It is a mental game. A carry piece is as personal as anything you will ever own. It holds your desires and ambitions as well as the well being of you family.

[bigfruits]

I AM.... IN A WORLD...OF.....

[wisturkeyhunter]

Sitting 70 yards away from a turkey you roosted the night before on an early april morning with a light rain coming down waiting for the sun to rise and the bird to gobble is more relaxing then sitting inside and cleaning to me. I can think of several other examples too.

[Grey Wolf]

Cleaning guns , relaxing ? I think not. Cleaning blood off your knife and clothes , now that's relaxing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ptomacbass]

fishing.

[Eddie Munster]

Wow, 3 am and trying to relax? I believe I would be trying to get my gun dirty rather than clean it.  :

"This is my rifle and this is my gun. This one's for shooting and this one's for fun"

[jax]

Like I said. It is a mental thing. I don't mind performing preventative maintenance on my stuff. Whether it is guns, fishing gear, cars or the house I like knowing that everything is in tip top shape. Last time I checked using something that breaks while you are using it is not much fun at all. I clean my fishing gear as well as I clean my guns.

It always amazes me how many people drop hard earned money on something, refuse to maintenance it, and then get mad when it breaks.

Me. I'm far from rich. I have to take care of what I have to make it last. I have a 3 1/2 yr old daughter with glacoma. Her exams/ surgeries are not cheap even after insurance. Replacing stuff isn't easy for us. When I maintain something it reminds me to appreciate what I have.

In retrospect I guess cash flow determines your enjoyment when it comes to maintenance. Would I enjoy it as much if money wasn't such an issue? I hope so but I suppose I probably wouldn't.

Edit: I take back the cash flow portion. I actually enjoy working on things. I like learning how things work. I don't mind taking stuff apart to fix it. I have fixed enough stuff in my life to learn to appreciate good preventive maintenance. Add in the cash flow idea and I actually enjoy it.

[burleytog]

Preventative maintenance rockz