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

PROOF Research Team Secures Top Finishes 2026IPRF Championship 1
PROOF Research Team Secures Top Finishes 2026IPRF Championship 1

Kate Estes Wins 2026 IPRF Ladies World Title

Proof Research shooter Kate Estes won the Ladies world title at the 2026 IPRF Centerfire World Championship, where Team USA swept every individual division title.

Suppressor Cleaning Starts At The Workbench

Your suppressor is dirtier than you think.

Team Remington’s Connor Thigpen Sweeps 2026 World Skeet Championships

High schooler Connor Thigpen won High Over All, High All Around and Mini World HOA at the 2026 World Skeet Championships.

A Summer Of Legends: 1999 National Matches

Nearly 3,800 shooters attended the 1999 National Matches, where Steve Reiter, Troy Bassham, Lones Wigger, Jr., and G. David Tubb won national titles.

Collegiate Rifle: Navy Shows Why It’s No. 8 — and Maybe Better

No. 8 Navy beat No. 15 Akron 4732-4674, as freshman Maddie Allen led the Zips in both smallbore and air rifle.

New: Springfield Armory SA-35 4" Polished Blued 9 mm Pistol

Springfield Armory’s new SA-35 4" Polished Blued pairs the shorter 9 mm Hi-Power-pattern pistol with a high-gloss finish for $799.

Interests



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