ACT 235 Weapons Maintenance & Cleaning Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the FIRST step a security officer must take before cleaning a duty firearm?
- Apply lubricant to the slide
- Verify the firearm is unloaded and remove the magazine (Correct answer)
- Point the firearm at a safe direction and pull the trigger
- Disassemble the barrel immediately
Correct answer: Verify the firearm is unloaded and remove the magazine
Verifying the firearm is unloaded and removing the magazine is the mandatory first step to prevent accidental discharge during cleaning.
Question 2: Which solvent is most commonly used to remove carbon and powder fouling from a firearm barrel?
- WD-40 multi-use lubricant
- Hoppes No. 9 bore cleaner (Correct answer)
- Motor oil
- Rubbing alcohol
Correct answer: Hoppes No. 9 bore cleaner
Hoppes No. 9 is a specifically formulated bore cleaner designed to dissolve carbon, lead, and powder fouling from firearm barrels.
Question 3: How frequently should a duty firearm carried by an Act 235-certified security officer be inspected for function and cleanliness?
- Once a year during recertification only
- Only after it has been fired
- Regularly — at minimum before each duty shift (Correct answer)
- After every 500 rounds fired
Correct answer: Regularly — at minimum before each duty shift
A duty firearm should be inspected before each shift to ensure it is clean, functional, and safe for use in the field.
Question 4: When field stripping a semi-automatic pistol for cleaning, which component is typically removed first after the magazine?
- The barrel bushing
- The recoil spring and guide rod
- The slide assembly (Correct answer)
- The trigger group
Correct answer: The slide assembly
On most semi-automatic pistols, the slide assembly is removed first after the magazine, allowing access to the barrel, recoil spring, and frame.
Question 5: What is the PRIMARY purpose of lubricating a firearm after cleaning?
- To prevent rusting only
- To reduce friction between moving parts and ensure reliable function (Correct answer)
- To improve accuracy at long range
- To make the firearm easier to conceal
Correct answer: To reduce friction between moving parts and ensure reliable function
Lubrication reduces friction between metal moving parts, preventing excessive wear and ensuring the firearm cycles reliably.
Question 6: Which tool is specifically designed to clean the bore (inside of the barrel) of a pistol?
- A wire brush attached to a cleaning rod (Correct answer)
- A multi-tool with screwdriver bits
- A cotton swab soaked in oil
- A steel file for removing burrs
Correct answer: A wire brush attached to a cleaning rod
A wire bore brush attached to a cleaning rod is designed to scrub the rifling and barrel interior to remove fouling and deposits.
Question 7: After running solvent-soaked patches through a firearm barrel, what is the correct next step?
- Apply more solvent and wait 24 hours
- Run dry patches through until they come out clean, then apply a light coat of oil (Correct answer)
- Reassemble the firearm immediately
- Store the firearm with the solvent still inside the barrel
Correct answer: Run dry patches through until they come out clean, then apply a light coat of oil
Dry patches remove dissolved fouling and residual solvent; a light oil coat then protects the barrel from corrosion.
ACT 235 Weapons Maintenance & Cleaning Procedures 1
What is the FIRST step a security officer must take before cleaning a duty firearm?