IMG_6355_1

See that gleaming gun? That’s my gun! Normally, my guns don’t gleam. Far from it. But TTAG writer and Texas Firearms Festival CEO Jon Wayne Taylor had had enough of me and my dirty guns. He sat down at the corporate poker table (true story) and cleaned the bejesus out of my commander-sized Wilson Combat X-TAC 1911. He made me swear on a stack of hollow-points that I would follow his instructions and clean my gun after every range trip. Thoroughly. And he marched my ass down to Sportsman’s Finest to buy the necessary cleaning tools. So there it is: my gun-related New Year’s resolution. Clean my guns. What’s your firearms-focused New Year’s resolution?

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

131 COMMENTS

    • Especially those dirty-rat-bastard AK type’s with drum mags.
      Drives the gun-grabbers bonkers.

    • Mine is to actually buy less. Less new firearms and less excess ammo. It just has to stop somewhere. I do resolve to improve my skills with what I already own.

  3. More first-shot-from-the-concealment-holster dry-fire practice.
    Cheap and very useful, if done correctly and regularly.

    • What, a Glock 30 isn’t thick/tall/long/heavy enough for you?

      Heck, the Ruger is taller, heavier and thicker than the 13-shot Glock 21!

      • Ahem… is this thing on? Ok, everyone ready?

        “Heck, the Ruger is taller, heavier and thicker than the 13-shot Glock 21!”

        Yeah, but it isn’t a Glock!

        • And that (along with the Ruger’s oversized measurements in vital areas) is a bug, not a feature.

    • KY Gun Co. Has them for $430. They are going on Gunbroker for $470-$500. My LGS says they will be right around $400. I can’t wait to see one in person.

  6. To never be so in love with a gun, I’m willing to rationalize a lack of reliability by citing some other quality it has.

    (Actually, I just avoid unreliable pieces, no matter how nice they look and/or how accurately they shoot.)

  8. More ammo, and a better way of organizing the boxes, bins, and bags of ammo that I already have. And, I want to finally get into competitive shooting.

    • Choose the sport, then choose the division…and only then choose what gun you’re going to use. IDPA vs. USPSA. 3-Gun vs. Steel Challenge. Race gun division vs. Stock gun division. Those decisions will radically change the gun and gear you may need. Go for it!!!

      • I would strongly argue against that method of choosing a gun for competition. Take what you’ve got and go shoot it competitively, then decide if you want something else. I sat around deciding for to long and I wish I would have started earlier with what I had, because I still shoot that homely Glock 35.

        • It may be homely, but the G35 is a perfect gun for USPSA Limited. And if you carry any double stack Glock, then all of skills developed by competition will transfer directly to your G26 or whatever.

  10. Just makes me feel good I did not spend thousands on a name gun. For self defense, I don’t need a fine Rolex of a gun, I need a Timex; keeps on ticking. For a combat weapon, I want it reliable even when dirty, like the original 1911. Clean after every range session? I don’t wash my expensive car every time I drive it to the 7-11.

  11. Figure out what guns I really *want* in my collection.

    As of now I’ve mainly been buying things that are good deals, but not necessarily what I really want to own.

    • I bought an AK a LONG time ago.

      But my first revolver (6 inch GP-100) was started on Xmas Eve and picked up the day after Xmas (the CBI check came back after the LGS closed). So another resolution would be to learn how to reload it quickly (I already shoot it pretty accurately).

        • I’ve figured out a method that seems to work well given the size and shape of this particular gun (and of course, my hands). It’d probably be clumsy on something like an SP-101. I also exploit the fact that I am NOT clumsy (or, I suppose I should say, not clumsier) with my left/weak hand, so the arguments for swapping hands don’t apply to me. I can do a reload in five seconds, easily provided the rounds line up with the chambers somewhat; sometimes that turns into a few seconds of fumbling. Practice will speed that up.

          Though I’d like to get one of those speedloaders you push on instead of twisting (Safariland being among them).

      • SteveInCo,

        If your revolver is a .44 Magnum shooting decent loads (closer to full power) … you won’t need to reload unless you are taking on more than 6 attackers … or three attackers if your hit rate is only 50% !!!

        Call me a fanboy if you want — it doesn’t change the fact that a .43 caliber, 180 grain hollowpoint bullet striking an attacker at 1600 fps is going to put them down immediately if you hit them in the chest. And if you only hit them squarely in the leg or arm, it will completely eliminate their ability to use that limb … which will immediately dissuade all but the most extremely insane or drug-addled attackers. And for that tiny fraction of attackers who keep coming after losing their arm or leg, it sure will be easier to take them out with follow-up shots or even hand-to-hand when they are missing a limb.

  13. Organize guns, ammo, and gear, and sell or trade or give away the superfluous holsters and “stuff” I don’t use.

    • Holsters for guns you no longer have are fine to sell off. But almost every time I’ve sold off gear for guns I still own, I end up regretting it when I go searching for it and then remember I sold that mount, that sling, that tool, or that scope.

  16. To convert more fence-sitters and help more noobies get their MA LTC. I usually handle the required MA 4 hour class for nothing or next to nothing. It’s enlightened self-interest. The more of us there are, the more difficult it will be for the slavers to take away our rights.

    • I usually handle the required MA 4 hour class for nothing or next to nothing.

      I tip my hat to you, sir.

      Keep up the fine work.

      By the way this is the kind of grass-roots action that might actually change the populace in states like Massachusetts and California. (Hint to jwm in California)

  17. Finish making a pair of flintlock pistols.
    Be more accurate and faster with my weak hand pistol shooting.

    • ^^ This!

      As much as I shoot, I’ve never bought an AR because I wanted to build one. With the last panic at Thankgiving, prices have edged up slightly on parts, more so on whole rifles.

  21. Buy the CZ 455 Varmint that I have been eyeballing forever and practice regularly with it to become a better marksman.

  22. I’m going to get my slides milled for miniature red dots on my EDC Glock 19, my competition Glock 34 (for USPSA Carry Optics), and my bedside Glock 17. So three red dots and three long waits. But I can’t wait!!

    • Word.

      Years back, I made the best New Year’s resolution, *ever*.

      That was to not to make any more stupid New Year’s resolutions…

  29. To see my FDE-cerakoted AK in 5.56 assembled and finished.

    To fit my existing AK with a tunable gas block to facilitate shooting it suppressed.

    To take possession of my new 762-SDN-6 suppressor, so I may know the true joy of shooting my AR, and possibly one of my AKs, in a manner quiet, polite, and less damaging to my hearing.

    • I’m starting to reload .38 special. I figure that will get me to shoot my EDC 642 more frequently. Practicing with my 22s and 9mm doesn’t help that much when I always carry the .38.

      I just can’t see paying around $20 a box for taget .38 ammo. I can shoot .357 mag. or .45 acp for about the same price. I think I can reload .38 for $7-8 per 50.

      I got the gear for Christmas, and started my first batch today.
      Trouble is that I find myself wanting a S&W Model 10 now, and they are getting spendy.

      • My grandfather left me a Model 10. I’m looking for the right holster; it’s a beautiful gun for OC.

  32. Fire an auto AR, at least once. Go up a level in USPSA. Give and do more to protect gun rights in California and other states. Oh, and paint the house for crying out loud it looks silly.

        • Painting a house is really easy here. Stand 100 feet upwind from the house. Open five gallon bucket of paint. Dip brush into paint, then hold it up in the air. Wind will blow streamers of paint onto the house. Repeat dipping the brush until the entire side of the house is covered in paint.

          A few weeks later, the wind will change direction, so you can get the other side.

          (Chicago the “Windy City,” my ass. They have no idea what wind is.)

  34. Buying my first AR and turning it into an M16A4 clone. That ACOG is gonna be a kick to my wallet’s nuts.

  35. Step 1: Hold off buying factory ammo for a few months, and save up enough to finally start rolling my own.

    Step 2: Use the cash I save by reloading to help fund a decent smoke-pole, preferrably a Hawken.

    • Good luck with your plan. If you are like me and most reloaders your savings will magically change into more ammo and more shooting.

  37. 1. Shoot more. 2. Build/finish a kit Kentucky long rifle that shows up in the mail next week. 3. Buy a lever gun.

    • I use to clean faithfully when I only had one or two guns. Now that I have a lot more, I find it more of a hassle. Nice to shoot guns like Glock, AK, and .22s that don’t require a lot of cleaning.

      • Hi-Point PCC. Recommended brushing at 500 rounds, cleaning at 3,000. I love my 995TS. Ugly as sin, but eats everything, goes bang every time, puts the round where you want it.

        • I’ve got one of those too (4095TS), and the lack of required cleaning is part of the attraction (plus the $200 used price). It is a great fun gun, and a good truck gun.

  40. Sell my house and move to a town with more intelligent voters.

    And thank God I’m not someplace where the entire state has gone insane.

  41. Mine is to earn my first CMP Excellence In Competition (EIC) points for service pistol. I won’t get greedy and say going Distinguished this year. 😉

      • Too embarrassing. I’ll just say it involved a New Years party, a benzodiazapine of some sort (I can’t remember), champagne, and body armor. I didn’t do anything unethical, just a bit unwise, but it took14 years and thousands of dollars to get my firearms rights restored.

  45. I’m kind of shocked…..all I see above is shoot more and buy more. I expected a LOT MORE from readers here. Not one single donate more to pro-gun organizations fighting for our rights. Without supporting organizations that fight for our rights, none of the other will matter. You guys need to pull your collective heads out of your cheap azz backsides and realize that without donating to organizations like SAF, GOA, NRA, and grassroots organizations, it will not matter how much you shoot or buy!

  46. I clean my carry gun BEFORE every range session.
    By the end of the range session, I know it’s still working reliably after the servicing.

  47. Mine would be to get more involved, or even start getting involved. Got my MA LTC a hair over 19 months ago, and I’ve only just got my second range trip since planned for this weekend; let alone any sort of purchasing decision.

  48. Buy an AK (looking at the DDI DIY shell AK).

    Get myself and the wife out to the range more often.

    Find an outdoor range, where I can stretch out my ARs

  49. Resolution is to find an affordable autoloader that is “acceptable” to my wife:

    Frame mounted ambi safety.
    No trigger dingus.

    Thinking CZ P07 maybe.

    • Careful, Yetti… Those damn CZ 75s can get under your skin. I’ve got 4, plus a CZ Kadet, and I still think more is warranted. It’s a horrible addiction.

  53. Do a better job off keeping ammo on hand, I usually have at least a box, but I need a “stockpile”…

    Then again if you ask CNN that one box was a stockpile.

  57. Just now registered to vote. For the first time in my life, I feel that I should be doing more.

    I don’t make New Year resolutions….but this year I am resolved to get involved in local, state, and national elections, and to try to help protect my rights. Although other than voting, I really have no idea how to become more involved, but will be reading up! Primary objectives are vote non-Progerssive and pro 2A.

    I live in greater Seattle, so if anyone knows of good resources, groups and events (shooting and political) out this way, please let me know.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    • Good for you Chris! We need more people to take interest, learn, and VOTE!!!

      I wish I could suggest resources for the Seattle area … but alas I don’t have any. Please consider joining any of the various advocacy groups like the NRA-ILA (National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action), Gun Owners of America, and the Second Amendment Foundation headquartered in your neck of the woods in Bellevue, Washington.

      By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, approximately how old are you?

    • I used to live in the Emerald City, Chis. As you know, to do anything that’s anywhere right off Mao’s Little Red Book, greater Seattle isn’t so accommodating.

      However, get one commute-interval out of town for gun clubs, shooting ranges, hunting groups, and more liberty-oriented political support. As far north of Green Lake as GL is from downtown it gets practically civilized. Heading inland, you gotta get past the Bellevue Expanse, but beyond that, again, real people doing real things.

  58. 45. Until recently, I’ve always liked just doing my own thing, but now I feel that I need to be getting involved in the things that matter to me. It is easy to think that the way things are is just that, but I realized that you can go from happy and comfortable to dismayed and miserable overnight if you don’t work to strengthen and preserve issues that are important.

  59. Acquiring a CZ 527 youth carbine in 7.62×39. Perfect for my daughter’s first hunting season and good for me to lug through the dense north Maine woods. Besides that, getting my brother in law setup with a carry gun that he’s comfortable and confident with and get myself back to reloading.

  60. Arming the gun-shy wife with a “effective” gun she can handle: a new FN Five-Seven MKII .

  61. I jumped a resolution by buying a gun in December. Sort of a secret gift to me. The resolution part is to start contributing to the NRA like I did a year ago. My gun safe has enough toys now. With the pols rattling their sabres again my worry is what they will do with ammo commerce if they can’t get their way with outright bans.

  63. I’m thinking 2016 may be a big year for gun projects.

    An exceedingly homely Rem 722 in .257 Roberts followed me home from the LGS as it needed a deserving home. Damn thing is butt ugly, but the bore is beautiful. Everything else is pretty nasty. Needs a lot of work. As I’m not a collector and it is not collector worthy, I’m thinking a pretty extensive treatment is warranted.

    Got a 1936 Mexican Mauser in 7×57 that was semi-sporterized sometime ago. Not great, but have an aperture sight on the receiver, so trigger work, maybe barrel replacement – have some deep chips in the old military barrel – and probably a replacement stock. Needs a replacement front sight anyway as the narrow-as-a-scalpel Mauser sight is just too hard for my eyes to see. Good project gun.

    Finish up my rebuild of a Mossberg 42M in 22LR that was my wife’s great-grandfather’s rabbit gun.

    Work on sights on various rifles and handguns – older eyes just need a bit of help.

    Besides that, want to move my donations to NRA, SAF, GOA and other worthys into the triple digits yearly. Do some more reloading, expand into more rifle calibers. And of course, buy some new guns and ever more ammo. Would like to help some new shooters get to the range more, but simply don’t meet or know many people where I live that don’t already shoot.

  64. Two things

    1 Kill more pigs with my lever gun instead of just AR & AK

    2 Kill more pigs total, shooting for 240 in 2016

    • Want some help spotting and driving ’em? 😉 I’ve never been able to spend much time in Texas.

      This year I’m thinking about going after hogs with my Garand or CETME instead of the SKS. There’s been a lot more of them around lately and they line up often enough to drop two at a time.

      • the population of wild hogs is exploding, outnumbering the population of domesticated hogs. in fact, domesticated hogs are vulnerable to wild hog attack. btw, wild hogs are not a species, they are domesticated hogs gone feral.

  65. Oh, so many….
    Buy my first 1911. (I know…I’ve led a sheltered life…)
    Build my first AR. (Did I mention I’ve led a sheltered life?)
    Buy my wife the .44 Magnum wheel gun she wants. (_REALLY_ wants)
    Get to the range and practice, practice, practice. (That’s the easiest one to do. Already make the trip monthly.But ….. that means buying more ammo. So….)
    Buy more ammo. Look into reloading .45ACP to feed other pets in the house.

  66. Get another Slide-Fire for my SBR.
    Finally get that 10mm pistol I’ve longed for for 20 years.
    Keep writing my state and federal reps and senators asking them to fight specific pieces of anti-gun legislation.
    Donate more to the NRA and SAF.
    Continue to try to influence friends and family to experience firearms firsthand.

  67. I want another semi auto shotgun before Hillary is elected. Just can’t decide if I want another SLP which I love and have had good luck with or something like a 930Spx or Versamax.

  68. I am going to quit target shooting practice until I pay off my home mortgage, only $10,000 left.

  71. Get an education so I can find a job in a free state so I can build a range in my backyard so I can justify buying guns!

  72. Don’t buy anymore, and spend the money on ammo and practice instead.

    Anathema I know, but I’ve got a couple of good centerfire rifles and some good centerfire pistols so I’m set there. Rather spend the gun budget getting better with what I’ve got

  73. Don’t laugh as hard when the gun gumbys go nuts and buy everything on the shelf at any price after Obama spouts more gun control BS on Monday.

    • ^this^ I don’t think anyone is afraid of him anymore. Maybe Valerie Jarrett is.

      Buy another box of 9mm. Another 1000 rd box. I don’t know about you, but when I have less than 1,000 rds of 9, I am OUT of 9.

  75. My resolution is to engage on this issue: every inch, every time, every jurisdiction, every venue.

    I’m not particularly “gunny” – don’t even own one. BUT, the agenda-mongers’ approach to this issue is completely disingenuous, and I see it as the thin end of the wedge on every other similar thing.

    The current president called my mother a “bitter clinger” (some editorial license there; his proxies used those exact words.) They’ve been “othering” anyone they don’t like with this issue continuously, ever since. They won’t stop until there’s no inch left anywhere. This is as good a line to stand on as any, and better than most.

    No more.

Comments are closed.