Range Team Member Jess specializes in firearms cleaning, a service that we offer at The Range. She also contributes monthly with a First Look Review of a firearm for the Range Bulletin. We asked her 5 questions about both topics:
1. What is the one thing you wish people would do to keep their firearm in good shape?
Storage is probably one of the biggest and often overlooked considerations with regards to keeping any firearm looking nice. If you’re taking it out and using it then you can keep an eye on its condition. A firearm which had been sitting for a while in less than ideal conditions will take a far bigger toll. Nothing good comes to a firearm once rust has begun to set in. Wait too long and no amount of cleaning will ever bring it back.
2. When is it better to have someone like you clean a gun versus doing it themselves?
Most modern guns are designed to be easily field-stripped for regular maintenance but this isn’t always the case. Some designs can be far more complex with lots of small parts and pieces under spring tension. If you aren’t comfortable with digging into the guts of your firearm, if it’s seen plenty of use and might take more than a routine cleaning to get back up to speed, or worst case it’s already got some rust going on, then it might be worth bringing in. Not having the time to clean it yourself is also a perfectly valid excuse! Clean or dirty, I always do my best to make a firearm look as good as new.
3. You keep all Range rental guns in great shape. What are your current favorites you would suggest to try?
For handguns I have to give a nod to the Sig P226 which is an all around amazing firearm with decades of service, accurate and easy to hold. The Smith and Wesson Performance Center 1911 in 9mm is a solid and elegant option as well and is a great option for shooters with smaller hands. For rifles I would point out the Springfield Hellion due to its exotic bullpup nature where the mag loads behind the grip. Not only are there a very limited number of bullpups on the market but you won’t find many of them available to rent.
4. You write “First Look” reviews. What does that mean?
“First Look” reviews is a newer spin on the review titles which came to mind after watching a plethora of firearm review videos online. Some of these reviewers will have something on hand for months and thousands of rounds to run through them. As much as I’d love to be able to do this, my reviews sometimes involve putting less than ten rounds through a platform due to various circumstances such as a risk of wearing out non-replaceable parts. While my reviews haven’t changed much over the years I wanted to be more up front about having far more limited hands-on time with what I’m writing about. First impressions always matter! First looks are my take-aways after these first impressions.
5. We HAVE to know. What is your all-time favorite firearm?
My all-time favorite firearm? Tough question! I’m going to cheat a little and break it down into subcategories (because I can.) Favorite revolver: Colt Python. Favorite hammer fired semi-auto pistol: Sig P226 Enhanced Elite. Favorite striker fired semi-auto pistol: Walther PPQ. Favorite modern sporting rifle: Steyr AUG. Favorite shotgun: Limited experience here but I keep going back to the Remington 870; can’t beat the rugged simplicity and lighter weight of a pump action. Easier to maintain, too! Favorite bolt-action: Even less experience here but I’m anxiously awaiting the Beretta BRX1 straight pull in .308.
Stop in and schedule a gun cleaning today to keep your guns in tip top shape. Handguns are $40 & Rifle/Shotguns are $50. Free gun cleaning is offered with all memberships!
