My "Family" 94 is about 52 years old now. I remember when my Dad bought it for $69.95. I was only 12, but was really into guns, and was pretty pleased that he had made such a good choice. I used to clean that gun every time I had the chance. We didn't know what a bore guide was, and I cleaned it from the muzzle, but I must have been pretty careful since it is still a great shooting gun. I still clean from the muzzle with the gun upside down, but I do use a bore guide that I made from a cartridge case these days. Just pay attention to what you are doing, and that 94 will last a long, long time.