Book Review: Care, Cleaning and Sportsmanship by James R. Owens

by
posted on September 18, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
care-cleaning-and-sportsmanship-cover1.jpg

One of 11 books written by former Marine Corps Marksmanship Team member, coach and instructor, Master Sergeant Jim Owens shares his experience on care, cleaning and sportsmanship, learned since winning his first rifle trophy in 1963.

An experienced teacher, Owens’ writing style builds on what the reader already knows. It’s an effective approach that allows the reader to apply the lesson later on, perhaps in a different context.

The table of contents for this 197-page book lists various care and cleaning topics, including the use of molybdenum-coated bullets (chapter 4) and tips from seven national champions. Owens’ thorough coverage addresses the early developments of moly lubricants, beginning with the patent held by Dave Brown for his first product—Ms. Moly, and Dow Corning’s Illustrated Mechanism of Molybdenum Disulfide Lubrication booklet. He goes on to list several sources of moly barrel-conditioning products and the use of MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) to remove moly.

Chapter 7—Sportsmanship, completes the book’s title and includes the quote, “All cheating is breaking the rules, but not all breaking the rules is cheating,” wherein Owens takes the reader on a tour of various moral dilemmas encountered during shooting matches.

USMC Master Sergeants are traditionally referred to by the nickname “Top,” hence Owens’ website of www.jarheadtop.com. You can also contact him at (334) 347-0020. The book or CD sells for $12.95, and chapters 4 and 7 are available from his website for free.

Latest

Jacklinks2026 Krieghoff 1
Jacklinks2026 Krieghoff 1

Kiersten Sales Wins Main Event Lady Champion Title at 2026 Jack Link’s Cup

Kiersten Sales claims Main Event Lady Champion and three more titles as Team Krieghoff posts multiple podium finishes at 2026 Jack Link’s Cup.

New: Real Avid Smart-Torq and X3 Driver System

Real Avid’s Smart-Torq and X3 Driver System is now shipping in five kits with torque limiters and ratcheting drivers.

Milan Cortina 2026: U.S. Women Close Olympic Biathlon Campaign With 18th Place in 4x6 km Relay

Team USA women take 18th place in biathlon 4x6 km relay at Milan Cortina 2026, closing out their Olympic campaign at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena.

A Year of Classic Battles: 1988 National Matches

Wind and comebacks defined the 1988 National Matches, where Lenardson, Wigger, Weaver and Tubb each claimed titles in dramatic fashion.

Metal Madness Easy Up Makes Indiana Debut at Red Brush Rifle Range

Metal Madness brings its Easy Up system to Indiana for the first time, with a match set for Feb. 28.

Milan Cortina 2026: Team USA Men Rewrite Record Book With Fifth-Place Biathlon Relay Finish

U.S. men’s biathlon relay team finishes fifth at Milan Cortina 2026, the best Olympic relay result in American biathlon history.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.