Detail strip of O/U shotgun and maintenance

[IrvJr]

Hi All,

I am fairly new to shotgunning, even though I bought my first shotgun almost two years ago. Only recently I've had time to shoot clays semi-regularly. I really enjoy this activity.

I currently use a Browning Cynergy 12 ga over under shotgun. It is my favorite gun and it's a lot of fun to shoot. I have about 425 rounds through it and I have been regularly field stripping the gun and cleaning and lubing it (and greasing it) per the user manual.

I am now ineterested doing a detailed strip of the gun to inspect it, clean it and lube it. Although I've tinkered with my 1911 pistol (detailed strip, clean, lube, replace sear spring, install new trigger, etc.) I've never done this with an over/under shotgun.

Are there any tricks or pitfalls that I need to know about before I attempt to do a detailed strip of my O/U shotgun? I don't want to modify anything, but I would like to strip the gun, inspect it for dirt/rust, and the clean and lube it as needed. Is the process as simple as decocking the gun (using snap caps), field stripping it, then unscrewing the screws that hold the receiver in the stock? How do I get started with a detailed disassembly? Any good diagrams of generic O/U actions that I can use as reference for an inspection?

also, once my gun is disassembled, what should I clean and lube? Are there any good online references on doing a detailed strip of an over/under shotgun?

Thanks in advance!

 

[RNB65]

My advice is to leave it alone. There's no reason to detail strip an O/U unless somethings broken. Maybe when you get to 150,000 or so rounds fired.

 

[Hawk]

What he said.

Detail stripping on OU is like putting lipstick on a pig: it doesn't add anything and it annoys the pig.

 

[oletymer]

With the amount of shells you have shot I would not pull it apart. How ever I have a sporting Cynery that I use a lot and pull the stock once a year. I clean it with a good degreaser and lightly spray the action with Remoil or Triflow lube. After you do that blow out excess with air and enjoy your gun.

 

[IrvJr]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice. If it's not needed, I will avoid disassembling the gun.

HOwever, I have a follow up question. Would a detailed disassembly be warranted if I got caught out in a driving rain with the gun? My concern is that water might seep into the action and rust up the parts.

Thanks again!

 

[RNB65]

Not to worry. People hunt and shoot clays in the rain all the time. Just give it a good field cleaning and lubing afterward and let it sit out in the open for a day or two so any remaining moisture can evaporate. Rust will only be a problem if you store it inside a case or cabinet and it remains wet for a period of time.

 

[PJR]

I've never detail stripped an o/u and haven't seen the need. If the gun gets wet and I've shot in all kinds of weather I will take the stock and barrels off and dry the receiver with a hair dryer and lubricate when it's dry. I might remove the forend iron from the wood to make sure that no water has gotten between the metal and wood.

 

[IrvJr]

Thanks all for the replies.

I have one final question, how do I remove the stock from my shotgun? I looked at the gun and didn't see any screws, other than the screws in the buttpad?

Thanks!

 

[RNB65]

I think PJR was referring to the forearm stock and not the buttstock. Taking the buttstock off involves removing the recoil pad and using a special long neck wrench to remove the nut holding the stock on. Taking the buttstock off is quite difficult if you don't have the right tool to do the job.

 

[PJR]

I think PJR was referring to the forearm stock and not the buttstock.

No, I meant both. Taking off a buttstock isn't particularly hard and have done so on many guns although I admit I haven't done it on a Cynergy. You should be able to find the necessary tools at any hardware store.

First remove the butt pad. There will be two little holes in the pad. Under these holes are two screws. Use a medium sized phillips screwdriver to remove the pad. Put a touch of grease on the shank of the screwdriver to prevent damaging the pad.

Once the pad is off there will be a hole in the stock inside which there will be either a screw or bolt attaching the stock to the receiver. Use a long screwdriver if it's a screw. If it's a bolt get an extension arm on a rachet wrench and use the appropriate bit to loosen the stock. Contact Browning or one of their service centers and they should be able to tell you what you would need to get the stock off your Cynergy.

 

[RNB65]

Gee, you take the hard way! I just sit it in a corner and point a fan at it for a couple of days.

 

[IrvJr]

Thanks Fellas.

I think I'm going to avoid removing the stock if possible, but now have an idea on how to do it if necessary.

PJR - how do you like your Cynergy? I love mine. It is my favorite gun. It's light, points well, and I really like the recoil pad. To me, the Cynergy seems to recoil less than my gas operated Remington 1100. I also like its unconventional styling and think it's a stunning looking gun!

 

[PJR]

IrvJr, sorry if my posts misled I don't own a Cynergy. I've shot a few and was sorely tempted by one of the subgauge hunter models not too long ago.

While the stock is not quite my style I think they are very good guns.