FTF cause? Maintenence issue

[Aglifter]

How often do ya'll clean your magazines?  This is my first pocket pistol, and I'm not quite used to how dirty it gets -- I cleaned my mags today for the FIRST time, they were quite dirty.  Also, as a suggestion to the FAQ, manual, etc -- maybe a diagram showing how the mag spring goes back -- I was 90% sure I knew, but I, fortunately, had one I hadn't cleaned yet, so I took that one apart as well.  I've always been fastidious about cleaning every other gun after I've fired it, it amazes me that I never thought to clean the "pup's" magazines before.

[R9SCarry]

Brad - I think this partly depends on someone's carry methods and frequency.  For me as it is BUG for most part and ankle - lint is not really an issue.

However - this is an easy mag to dissassemble and so a quick inspection not too much of a problem.  Better safe than sorry!

I would also reckon it is useful to establish that follower is free and smooth thru all travel - and while I do not like lube in mags, the merest smeer of lithium grease is OK by me, on the spring - not even enough to be visible -  a mere film.

[Richard S]

Brad:

I'm one of those obsessive/compulsive types who cleans a gun after each range session.  For semi-automatic pistols, I also clean the magazines while I'm at it.  I use a magazine case for the spare mag of my carry piece, but I clean that one as well.  I also rotate magazines twice a year -- when I change the clocks.  (Old habits die hard.)

My experience over the years has been that, if a semi-automatic pistol develops a problem, the most likely "suspect" will be the magazine.  It's ironic that a pistol in the five-figure price range can have its utility reduced to that of a rock in your hand by a $35 magazine.  

[Michigunner]

Richard, you have an excellent attitude about the magazines.

Many of us have neglected that important aspect of maintenance.

[harrydog]

My experience over the years has been that, if a semi-automatic pistol develops a problem, the most likely "suspect" will be the magazine.  It's ironic that a pistol in the five-figure price range can have its utility reduced to that of a rock in your hand by a $35 magazine.  

It's also ironic how many people who own $1K+ pistols will complain about the cost of a $30 magazine, especially considering its importance to the function of the weapon.

[Aglifter]

guilty as charged -- I always wince about how much I spend when I bought McCormick magazines for my 1911, but I still buy them -- of course, I also grumble about the cost of dummy rounds, and that they come in packs of 5, and break on occasion.