Field Strip
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Field stripping is firearms terminology for the act of disassembling a
firearm A firearm is any type of gun that uses an explosive charge and is designed to be readily carried and operated by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see legal definitions). The first firearms originate ...
to the greatest possible extent without the usage of any extra tools. A disassembly that uses such tools is called a detail strip, but this is less common than a field strip, as the latter is usually sufficient for most cases.


Definition

Field strips are done to facilitate cleaning, or identify damages. It is customary for soldiers to be taught how to conduct a field strip, both as a means of discipline, and to help create a sense of familiarity with the weapon. Because it is an integral part of owning and using a firearm, especially in a military context, firearm manufacturers will take considerations to make field strips expedient and simple. In one instance, the
Los Angeles Police Department The City of Los Angeles Police Department, commonly referred to as Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), is the primary law enforcement agency of Los Angeles, California, United States. With 8,832 officers and 3,000 civilian staff, it is the th ...
opted against the purchase of
Thompson submachine guns The Thompson submachine gun (also known as the "Tommy gun", "Chicago typewriter", or "trench broom") is a blowback-operated, Selective fire, selective-fire submachine gun, invented and developed by Brigadier general (United States), Brigadie ...
primarily because other available weapons were easier to field strip.


Rationale

When fully assembled, a gun is not very suitable for cleaning, and like any machine, will need to be frequently cleaned and maintained in order to stay in optimal condition. Very few of its parts can be accessed unless it has been field stripped, and most of those parts can only be partially seen. Instead, when field stripped, it can be inspected or cleaned more thoroughly, as individual parts can be separated. A field strip may also reveal issues that otherwise cannot be seen, such as cracks or deformities, but excessive cleaning may further induce wear on the weapon.


References


External links

{{Commonscat, Field strip Firearm terminology