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How To

How to Clean a Gun Magazine

Contributor
By Daniel Ray
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
Magpul PMAG AR-15 magazine
Magpul PMAG AR-15 magazine

Firearm magazines are an important and often overlooked part of a firearm. Many feeding problems can be traced back to the magazine. Keeping your magazine clean is just as important as cleaning the barrel of the firearm. Most magazines can be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Gun scrubber aerosol spray
  • Old toothbrush or similar small brush
  • Gun solvent
  • Gun oil
  • Clean cotton rags

    How to Clean a Gun Magazine

  1. Step 1
    Magazine floorplate
    Magazine floorplate

    Depress magazine release button on the receiver of firearm and remove magazine from firearm. Ensure that firearm is unloaded and safe. Take out any rounds that are in the magazine. Locate the "lock plate button" on the bottom of magazine or "floorplate". See Step 1 image.

  2. Step 2
    Removing floorplate
    Removing floorplate

    Depress "lock plate button" with a pointed object. When fully depressed, "floorplate" will slide all the way off of the magazine body. Use caution as there is a large spring inside the magazine that pushes up on the "floorplate". Proceed slowly to prevent losing parts or getting injured. See Step 2 image.

  3. Step 3
    Magazine spring, lock plate and floorplate
    Magazine spring, lock plate and floorplate

    Slide "floorplate" off of the magazine body and remove the "spring", "follower" and "lock plate". Set these parts down on a spread-out cotton rag. Inspect each part for wear, damage or dirtiness. See Step 3 image.

  4. Step 4

    Clean magazine body and the individual parts. Use Gun Scrubber spray if not overly dirty. Clean with the gun solvent and a brush if magazine is overly dirty. When finished, lubricate all metal surfaces with a fine coat of oil. Do not use lubrication if the magazine is a synthetic model, like this Magpul magazine.

  5. Step 5
    Reassembled magazine
    Reassembled magazine

    Reassemble everything in the reverse order as above. Use caution when reinserting spring back into magazine body. When fully assembled, function test to make sure magazine operates correctly.

Tips & Warnings
  • Use caution when working with firearms. Obey all firearm safety rules. Wear safety glasses when working with springs. Wear gloves when using solvents.

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