When I consider buying new gun, used or new, I want to see how to field strip them. When it is too complicated for me I will not get it. What bugs me the factory manuals (Sig, Ruger, Glock, etc..) do not always show how to take them apart and especially where to clean and lube them. I depend on various You Tubes, gunsmiths and personal experience to maintain my guns. Manufacturers, in my opinion, should do a better job for their manuals. This is my rant of the day.
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I prefer thorough manuals for most things, not just firearms, so I can relate to your rant. You never know when you may need a manual, even if only for a quick reference.
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It seems like many items I purchased lately come with a QR code to scan so I can browse through a 150 page manual on my phone 
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Hmmm 
that’s something I never tried before, field strip at the gun counter.
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Maybe if thermal was in a font size bigger than 2 I would refer to it more. YouTube has become go to for most items gun or anything. Then I still have to search for something where I don’t have to push 1 for Redneck.
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Instructions? Manuals? …Nah, I got this! (This is why I bring my Gunsmith Donuts! 
)
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I have the store do it so if something goes wrong it is on them.
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I do the same usually (depending on the foot traffic that day), I ask them to run through the Field stripping (basic) just so I can clean , check for wear and Oil them myself. If there’s an issue I let the Pro’s handle it.
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I have never seen a new firearm without manual that tells you how to clean and lube it.
The other story is if you buy a used one… but every manufacturer has a manual for each model available online.
Additionally main firearm manufacturers have their own videos with instructions.
I know there’s a lack of complete disassemble instructions… but it’s understandable. No manufacturer wants regular user to mess up with their products.
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Back in my new gun owner days, i was at a pawnshop and the store clerk’s struggles with removing the magazine saved me from buying a Saturday Night Special.
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Agreed 100%, a while back I took a Mossberg 88 and made a ton of modifications to it which was a fun project but had to watch a lot of youtube to get it done.
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Arrowdodger loves Marlins and Tony Ben M1a are my favorite YouTube gun helpers. Watched a few different guys vids putting my 80% builds together, and pretty sure it was Hickok45 who helped me with the 1911’s when I was new to them. Kind of ironic looking back over the decades, initially having grease stained Ford, Mopar, BSA and Kawasaki manuals, and later just having a grease covered tablet. Slow down Hickok!!!
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It is like a car owner. Do you know how to change the spark plugs? What do you do if the engine light comes on? Take it to the shop or to an auto store to see what the codes are? Then there is the fact that you know what you know and do not know, at that time take it to the Gunsmith with your donuts and coffee. Make sure you become good friends with your gunsmith.
I have an AR 45. It has had a real problem with not chambering rounds. I did research and changed the buffer spring and buffer. This made it 90% efficient rather than 20% efficient. The gunsmith said get ahold of the manufacturer. The last time I went to a manufacturer they replaced the rifle with a state compliant rifle. So, I got a Marlin 357 lever action rifle. I do not wish to lose my AR45 due to my state’s rules and regulations. I have a couple guns that are my gunsmithing training guns. Doesn’t that sound scary? It is like have a 150.00 vehicle that you want to just play with and fix up.
So, not only do I read the instructions, but I look even deeper for more information. With good maintenance a piece of equipment will last longer.
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I know your feels on this, Brother.
A few years back My Wife picked up an M&P Shield Compact. She loved everything about it except the multiple steps required to field strip it. Too many hoops to jump through. She traded it in for a PX4 Compact and never looked back.
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This 
is why I am leaning towards REVOLVERS as I age. I LOVE my semi-automatics, Love the 12-17 round Mags, but I just open the cylinder ‘Boop’ and can get most nooks N Cranny’s!. Zimple! (besides there is nuthin’ more beetchin’ than the look of some Revolvers out there. My Diamonback SDR is a compact SEXY weapon! , then again so is my Annie-Conda, or my Rock Island (Sis’s gun)
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Yep brother, same here. Semi-autos are great, but that simplicity can’t be beat, and they DO look awesome! No worries about keeping track of questionable range-only vs reliable SD magazines, no worry about whether the bullet profile will feed correctly, no worry about whether there’s one in the chamber or not, or if the safety is on (if the pistol has one), and easy to clean and care for. Did I mention how good a nice revolver looks? That stainless Python that Hickcock 45 reviewed has me wanting…
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Yup! Mr. Hlckcock IS responsible for (3) Firearms in my little, Teeny, weenie collection. (All aces in my book too!)
Note to self: STOP WATCHING HIM (IT’S EXPENSIVE)
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Fred’s- - Im in total agreement with y’all! I often request the gun counter salesman to demonstrate the field strip, breakdown right there at the counter. Be it Scheels or Cabela’s or wherever - if I struggle with a difficult set of tight springs, etc it is a hard pass! Often and surprisingly, the salesman will struggle with his or her lack of technical ability to fieldstrip the gun; sometimes, they can break it down only to find themselves unable to reassemble the firearm for sale!! Yup, hard pass. Thanks for sharing. I find Sig-Sauer & Glocks better for shooters like you and me!
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I agree 100%… if I cannot take the firearm down, I will not buy it!!! the manuals I have for my firearms are definitely incomplete and do not show clearly where you should clean and lube. YouTube videos work pretty well, but I am a hands-on gal and sometimes it’s hard to watch the video and try to take down all at the same time.
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I’m really surprised reading that some of Members cannot find an cleaning instruction provided by manufacturer’s manual.
I was curious and came through all manuals I received with my firearms and all of them had a clear instructions where, when and how to clean the firearm.
I also thought.. OK, perhaps Glock screwed it up and I downloaded a manual for G17 - G48 series. But, what a nice surprise… 4 pages of cleaning procedure, written so clear that even Democratic Party member can understand it. 
I’m curious then… which manufacturer, or firearm model gives you guys problem to find good enough cleaning instructions? 
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