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

Rem Wethepeople America250 Jun2026 1
Rem Wethepeople America250 Jun2026 1

Remington We the People 250th Anniversary Ammo Ships to Retailers

Remington’s We the People 250th Anniversary ammunition is now shipping nationwide, a 2026-only commemorative run across rifle, handgun, rimfire and shotshell loads.

Kansas and Texas Headline Team Titles at 2026 4-H Shooting Sports Nationals

Kansas and Texas each claimed two team titles at the 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, which drew nearly 700 competitors to Nebraska.

XS Sights Adds Pre-Drilled Fiber Optic Sights for Smith & Wesson Revolvers

XS Sights now offers pre-drilled fiber optic sights for Smith & Wesson J-, K- and L-frame revolvers, installable without custom gunsmithing.

NRA Youth Ambassador Jackson Schmidt’s Bianchi Cup Experience

NRA Youth Ambassador Jackson Schmidt shares his first Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament, where he won Junior Rimfire division and placed third in Junior Centerfire.

Review: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP

A review of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm optic, a first focal plane LPVO built for multigun and IPSC Rifle competition.

Remington Performance Wheelgun 22 Rimfire Built for Classic Revolvers

Remington’s Performance Wheelgun 22 rimfire load is shipping nationwide, a 39-grain subsonic .22 LR cartridge built for classic revolvers and plinking.

Interests



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