[PowderMonkey]

"Who in the Hell “cleans” a gun by firing it?"

People who use black powder "front stuffers" (muzzle loaders) used to have only one way to clear the weapon if loaded: firing it. That's probably what this clown was doing. These days, however, there are several manufacturers of pressurized CO2 systems that allow you to blow the powder and ball from the weapon without having to fire it.

[CrazyIvan]

Someone brought me a pistol that had sat for years loaded. I made a grease fitting with the same threads as the nipple and shoved the load out with a grease gun.

[Yo-Yo]

People who use black powder "front stuffers" (muzzle loaders) used to have only one way to clear the weapon if loaded: firing it.

And if you forget to put a powder charge in behind your ball?

There has always been a way to unload a muzzle loader without firing. It's called a worm. It screws onto the end of your ramrod and you use it to pull the ball.