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

ARC America 2026 2
ARC America 2026 2

NRA Launches ‘ARC Across America National Challenge’ for Nation’s 250th Anniversary

NRA’s new ARC Across America National Challenge runs Memorial Day through Labor Day 2026, aiming for 250-plus clubs hosting matches with national rankings and prizes to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial.

How Two Champion Skeet Shooters Launched Backwoods Suppressors

Olympic skeet medalists Vincent Hancock and Conner Prince co-founded Backwoods Suppressors, a hunter-first brand offering five titanium and stainless cans built for the field.

Kim Rowe Captures 2026 NRA National High Power Mid-Range Championship

Kim Rowe wins 2026 NRA National High Power Mid-Range Championship and Patriot Minuteman Trophy with a 2399-171X aggregate.

Federal’s 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Adds 300 FPS to a Cartridge You Probably Already Shoot

Federal’s 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak uses Peak Alloy cases to push velocities 300 fps faster while fitting existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.

AMU Competitors Top 2026 Dixie Match Leaderboard

USAMU swept the podium at the 2026 Dixie Matches in Jacksonville, with Greg Markowski claiming Top Gun and the NRA Regional Championship.

The Whistler Boy Match Returns to NRA Smallbore

Sponsored by Ruger, the popular junior rifle competition is coming back in July during the 2026 NRA Smallbore Rifle Nationals at Cardinal Center in Ohio.

Interests



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