Shotgun Cleaning and Care

Dutchman195 · Nov 14, 2011

Hey all,
So I was shooting in the Autumn Grand this week and it was cold and rainy all week. Today I shot 8 rounds out in rain that was coming down sideways. I was soaked down to the underwear so you can imagine how the gun was. Right when I got home I broke down the gun and wiped it off and then warmed up and cleaned it.

Is there any way to be positive you got all the moisture out of the parts without pulling apart the stock/trigger group?

I had one out of the box idea. Get a plastic garbage bag, drop the parts in there and up rice in the bottom of the bag, suck the air out and tie the bag and let it sit overnight. Having no idea about how this works, I am afraid of the wood on the stock and foregrip drying out. Which brings me to my next question:

How do you care for the wooden parts on the shotgun?

One guy from my team uses Old English Polish once every two weeks and we practice about 4 times a week. I would be worried that would tint the color of the stock and change it's color, which I don't want.

Your thoughts?

Dave McCracken · Nov 14, 2011

I don't imagine this problem comes up much in Tucson.....

For wood, lots of folks use Linseed oil, Tru-oil, or even Johnson's Paste Wax. Suggestion, remove the stock and forearm, then remove all the hardware from the wood. Use one of the above on the end grain before reassembly. This limits water migrating in or out, lessening the chance of cracking.

HTH....

rcmodel · Nov 14, 2011

+1

Johnson's Paste Floor Wax everything before you go out in the rain.

I'd dry it internally by using a hair blow drier or heat gun on it till you get the metal too hot to hold on too.

rc

JohnBT · Nov 14, 2011

Shake out the gun and wipe with a dry towel.
Open the action and prop the barrel against the radiator in the kitchen so it won't drip on the hardwood floors in the rest of the house. I don't let the wood touch the radiator.
Watch football.
Lube the gun later.

I love having an old house with hot water radiators. Steam radiators are too hot.

John

Fastcast · Nov 14, 2011

When I've returned from duck hunts, while out in a down pour, I usually start with the air compressor. 120lbs of compressed air will push moisture out of just about every crevice. Then a generous amount of Rem oil in the action and repeat with the compressed air to remove excess oil and any remaining moisture. Then like John said, lean it up against something like a furnace vent for the rest of day, barrel down.

I always do a complete disassemble (clean/lube) for semi autos at the end of the hunting season.

esheato · Nov 14, 2011

Went duck hunting last year in CA. Had a Browning camo Citori over my shoulder and waded deep enough to submerge the action. Finished hunting for the week. Didnt get to clean for a week. Pulled the stock and not a spot of rust.

BYJO4 · Nov 14, 2011

I would remove stock and spay everthing with WD40 to displace any moisture that may be on the inside. After allowing to dry, I would then lubricate everything with something like Breakfree. Better to be safe than sorry.

oneounceload · Nov 15, 2011

If you are going to be exposed not only to rain, but also salty sweat, etc., a good poly coating inside and out on all wood surfaces will go a long way.

Numerous gun products for metal protection - the key is to get it out of the tiny nooks and crannies where you can't see it

Dutchman195 · Nov 15, 2011

Thanks Guys! I ended up going out and getting a can of that compressed air and a mini can of WD-40 and sprayed all the moving parts down and then let it sit next to the oven. gotta love living in an apartment and improvising everything.

I felt pretty solid after I cleaned it but just wanted to make sure. When you have a gun you love so much you just gotta make sure it'll love you back.

As for the stock I think I am gonna go try the Johnsons Wax Paste for next time (if it ever rains again here) Just after 4 straight days of shooting in sideways rain I figured there must be some type of precaution everyone uses.

rcmodel · Nov 15, 2011

As I said, use the Johnsons Wax Paste on the whole darn thing.

See this:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4110525&postcount=7

rc

CodaSmog · Nov 15, 2011

I use compressed air too but I'm gonna give the wax a try. Thanks!

oneounceload · Nov 15, 2011

Not just rain - but if you shoot in AZ in the summer, your sweat can be more toxic to your gun that rain

Shotgun Cleaning and Care

Dutchman195

Member

Dave McCracken

Moderator In Memoriam

rcmodel

Member in memoriam

JohnBT

Member

Fastcast

Member

esheato

Member

BYJO4

Member

oneounceload

member

Dutchman195

Member

rcmodel

Member in memoriam

CodaSmog

Member

oneounceload

member

Similar threads