What is the first step in cleaning a firearm?

• A. Clean from the breech end.
• B. Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• C. Field strip the firearm.
• D. Use cleaning solvents in a well-ventilated area.

Answer: (B)

Safety is the priority when cleaning a firearm, so the first step is to point the muzzle in a safe direction. This minimizes the risk of injury if there’s any ammunition present or if handling mistakes occur, keeping you and others protected at the very start. After you’ve oriented the firearm safely, you should verify it’s unloaded by opening the action, removing the magazine, and checking the chamber. Only then do you move on to the cleaning steps like disassembly and brushing, and using solvents in a well-ventilated area. The other actions describe parts of the cleaning process, but they don’t establish the essential safety condition you must have before you touch the firearm.