I haven't written this for the competitive shooter with match-grade weapons. If that is you, you know what you need to do and how you want to do it. This article covers the essentials for the practical gun owner to maintain proper function easily and frugally in good times and creatively in survival situations.

Preparing for survival keeps me out of money and out of time, but it has got to get done. If there is a cheap and simple method, I am going to use it. My youth, time in the military, and decades of loving to shoot have brought me in touch with military gun experts, gunsmiths, and enthusiasts. Some years ago I started questioning the ideas behind cleaning, lubricating, and protecting firearms. The veil of mystery went away and I was able to refine what I've been doing for 15 years at bargain basement prices. I'd like to share this with you.

There is a hidden benefit to simple and inexpensive gun care–it is more likely to get done. No more dreading hours of work as you drive back from the shooting range.  That gun that is out of sight and out of mind won't be as hard to get around to cleaning. More frequent care will also make you more familiar with your guns. You may become confident enough to even learn how to totally disassemble and reassemble one or more of your guns and be able to do some minor repairs or change out parts that you want to replace with something better.