New Year Check List – Keeping it Running

With the new year upon us, it is a perfect opportunity to go through our important gear and make sure everything is in perfect working order. While many of us do monthly checks on gear, a new year is the perfect time to give everything a once-over and make sure it is all good to go.

New Year Check List

New Year Check List – Is Your Gear Ready?

First up, it is time to change batteries. This includes batteries in both your optics and flashlights. Unless you have just recently done this, it is a perfect time to get fresh power to these critical items. Yes, I know your optic is rated to run for 8 million hours on a single battery, but for just a few dollars, you get peace of mind knowing it has fresh juice. The same goes for your flashlights. If you are like me, these helpful tools become the victim of inappropriate language when the batteries die at inopportune times.

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Next up, it’s time to deep clean all your guns. Yes, even that shotgun that hasn’t seen a cleaning patch since the Reagan administration. This is more than just a quick wipe-down; it will entail a complete disassembly of the guns. This not only gives us a chance to clean it but also to inspect it for wear and possible issues. Finish it up with a good coat of oil, and your blasters are ready to go.

New Year Check List

Don’t Forget Your Magazines

While we are on our guns, we also need to clean all of our magazines. Like the guns, this will include a disassembly to allow detailed cleaning and inspection. The fact is that more gun function issues can be traced back to magazine problems. Springs wear out, followers crack, and eventually they become unusable. While not cheap, magazines should be considered a consumable item when it comes to EDC and personal defense weapons. While they last a long time, they suffer a great deal of wear and tear, which ultimately gives them a lifespan.

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The last item we need to take a close look at is our holster. Take time to give it a good cleaning and inspect it for loose screws, cracks, and excessive wear. This is especially true if you are using leather. While classic and cool, leather does tend to lose its shape over time and could be a danger if it affects your draw or reholster.

New Year Check List

New Year Check List

So, clear off your bench, put on some music, and take the time to go through everything that you may depend on to protect your life.

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