martindd Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Still in the process of fund raising to buy eldest son a gun thinking of maybe an semi auto but have never owned one and wonder how much time and effort is required in cleaning and maintaining as no doubt i will be the one doing it! also considering an o/u maybe 20 bore (hes 14 but not big) ps thinking the hw90 might be the next thing to go if anyones got a swap? cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Still in the process of fund raising to buy eldest son a gun thinking of maybe an semi auto but have never owned one and wonder how much time and effort is required in cleaning and maintaining as no doubt i will be the one doing it! also considering an o/u maybe 20 bore (hes 14 but not big) ps thinking the hw90 might be the next thing to go if anyones got a swap? cheers Martin No more a chore than any other shotgun. Consider though it automatically loads another. Not always good for safety in less experianced users. Teach him by one shell loaded at a time are my thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martindd Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 No more a chore than any other shotgun. Consider though it automatically loads another. Not always good for safety in less experianced users. Teach him by one shell loaded at a time are my thoughts yes thanks he's used to a single barrel at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 . Semmi autos are only as safe as an over under or side by side?? As for the cleaning they rely on O ring seals if gas opperated and do need a little more attention but they only need a wipe down every week and a full strip down clean about every 3 months. Do you strip an over under every week and clean it? if you do then do that to a semi if not do it when ever you want. With my semi I could strip it, clean it and reasemble just as quick as I could with my over under. All the best taz . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Depends on the semi. I clean my guns after every session, and the Benelli is quicker to clean than the Browning - just one barrel, without the muck from a gas recoil action . The action hardly ever needs cleaning, but yes, it does kick more. My mates gas recoil Winchester semi takes about as much time as his o/u - but he prefers it for the woodies, horses for courses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0145wirbelwind Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 My beretta 391 can be a right pain in the ***. Leading in the barrel round the forcing cone can take some brushing out and as for the gas piston that can be a pain to , but to shoot the gun is a dream and i love it. Sometimes it can take as long as an hour and a half but i only do it every 500-700 shot fired so that could be the problem. I just find things run a bit better with a little dirt in the gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Never had a problem with any semi ive had,they are easy to maintain and clean BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris t Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 My beretta 391 can be a right pain in the ***. Leading in the barrel round the forcing cone can take some brushing out and as for the gas piston that can be a pain to , but to shoot the gun is a dream and i love it. Sometimes it can take as long as an hour and a half but i only do it every 500-700 shot fired so that could be the problem. I just find things run a bit better with a little dirt in the gun Have 391 also, completely agree with the above. I may be slightly anal about cleaning my gun, because sometimes it may turn out to be the last time I shoot it for 6 months or more so like it to be put away properly clean. Have tried many types of cleaning products and the blue wonder gun cleaner is without doubt the best cleaner for the barrels (loads less scrubbing). But you have to oil the barrels afterwards otherwise they will rust. Also have to remove the trigger and bolt every so often to lube it with oil or it will get dry and not cycle everytime. I personally would say it's way quicker to clean a double barreled gun, but for pigeon shooting the semi is the gun of choice for me and will ALWAYS take that out first. Only take out the O/U for driven pheasant days which I get asked to maybe once or twice a year. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 (edited) Well, thats a load of mixed response as I guess you would expect. Reality check. A Recoil operated Semi (Self Loading) as the Police like to call them, is not too bad to clean. A Gas operated unit such as the Berettas are a pain in the ****. It easily takes 3 or 4 times as long to clean as my O/U, and if you leave it for a few outings you will have to use a hammer and chisel to chip off the burnt on deposits. Just the same, I love my Beretta 391 and would not be without it! Edited September 10, 2011 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 This is what i do Fired 6 shots or so walking round the grounds with the dog or something. Gets a burst of Legia down the tube from the action end left muzzle down for 5 mins then pulled through with bore snake and reurned to safe. Out on the marsh, as above asap. Then on return to base the whole exteriour is wiped off with a wet cloth, removing any mud. Forend removed and the slide area (external of mag tube) is cleaned with the same Legia and a liitle rub with a soft sythetic green to remove any carbon and the piston itself a wipe over and both componants given the slightest clean film of the above spray. Barrel is cleaned with a bit more attention checking gas ports for any possible build up etc., chokes removed cleaned re-oiled a re-fitted. All in all 10 mins tops. Every few months trigger group is removed, bolt, rear recoil spring everything cleaned and checked for wear and the piston is soaked in meths for 24 hrs to loosen any carbon. Full on clean of barrels. about 1/2 hr. If i didn't shoot on the marsh or other such venues i should only do this start and end of season to be fair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfletch Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Here's my 2 pennies worth For one I like cleaning my gun after a day out its part of the sport/Job I have a Benelli so pretty easy to clean I do think O/U is safer in beginners hands as it can be carried open but the auto is safer used in a hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 This is what i do Fired 6 shots or so walking round the grounds with the dog or something. Gets a burst of Legia down the tube from the action end left muzzle down for 5 mins then pulled through with bore snake and reurned to safe. Out on the marsh, as above asap. Then on return to base the whole exteriour is wiped off with a wet cloth, removing any mud. Forend removed and the slide area (external of mag tube) is cleaned with the same Legia and a liitle rub with a soft sythetic green to remove any carbon and the piston itself a wipe over and both componants given the slightest clean film of the above spray. Barrel is cleaned with a bit more attention checking gas ports for any possible build up etc., chokes removed cleaned re-oiled a re-fitted. All in all 10 mins tops. Every few months trigger group is removed, bolt, rear recoil spring everything cleaned and checked for wear and the piston is soaked in meths for 24 hrs to loosen any carbon. Full on clean of barrels. about 1/2 hr. If i didn't shoot on the marsh or other such venues i should only do this start and end of season to be fair Bore snakes were developed for a quick once over in the field, or straight after a shoot, until you can get home and do the job properly, they are useful for that! Barrel cleaning is easy on a semi, and of course there is only one, it's all the other fiddly bits that need cleaning that an O/U doesn't have. Are you talking Gas operated? I like Legia but it's a general purpose cleaner, it will struggle to remove carbon buildup, even with the scourer. What else do you use to clear heavy buildups. A couple of shots in the field is bad enough but 50-100-150 or more shots on the clays is a struggle to clean. I also use the plastic scouring pads etc as appropriate. Did I miss something, do you only use Legia or Meths soak? What other cleaners/solvents do you use? Forget a full "Annual" strip and clean, I don't have a cat in hells chance of giving my 391 a "decent" clean in 10 minutes! I'm obviously doing something wrong, if I could clean my 391 in 10 minutes I'd be over the moon! 10-20minutes is good going generally on the O/U and that's with a clean Every outing! Chuck me some tips here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Bore snakes were developed for a quick once over in the field, or straight after a shoot, until you can get home and do the job properly, they are useful for that! Barrel cleaning is easy on a semi, and of course there is only one, it's all the other fiddly bits that need cleaning that an O/U doesn't have. Are you talking Gas operated? I like Legia but it's a general purpose cleaner, it will struggle to remove carbon buildup, even with the scourer. What else do you use to clear heavy buildups. A couple of shots in the field is bad enough but 50-100-150 or more shots on the clays is a struggle to clean. I also use the plastic scouring pads etc as appropriate. Did I miss something, do you only use Legia or Meths soak? What other cleaners/solvents do you use? Forget a full "Annual" strip and clean, I don't have a cat in hells chance of giving my 391 a "decent" clean in 10 minutes! I'm obviously doing something wrong, if I could clean my 391 in 10 minutes I'd be over the moon! 10-20minutes is good going generally on the O/U and that's with a clean Every outing! Chuck me some tips here! I don't use stronger solvent on the Auto. I did on my first one and it took all the Cammo off the muzzle. I realy find its not needed. Meths is usued for a 24hr soak to clean the piston only, if i was struggling to clean with Legia i would let it sit a while and if i did 50 or more shells in a sesion or was doing an intensive clean i would use the rods and brushes for all other cleans its the boresnake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 If you go for a self loader then go for a beretta . All gas guns are a pain in the back side to clean . If you go for a hatstand then you must take into the equasion the down time and the cost of running backwards and forwards to your local gun smith for repairs . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Normal shooting remove barrel rod clean quick wipe over with lightly oiled rag.After being on the marsh mine gets stripped down even trigger assembly out.Cleaned under the hot tap with a nail brush.Than all parts wiped-dried with cloth.Clean barrel out with cleaning rods.If build up around end of chamber use battery drill with cleang rod and copper bush.Then leave to dry and finaly a light wiping over with oil-maintainance spray pengaurd wd40 ac-90 anthing like that.Found out the more oil you put on the more it builds up with dirt and carbon.Oh mine is a cheap and cheerfull webly and scott 810 synthetic and its great onley played up when i got mud in the bolt assembly.Its a tool and does its job.Any good gun shop would show you how to strip and clean.All the rest of my shooting use the over and under can take at anywere appart from the marsh.The barrels go rusty.This is my opinion and what i do and it works for me and my auto.Happy shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imissalot Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 strip my berretta 303 sporter once wot a ******* nightmare never again it fell to bits right in front of me ,thank god for the internet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Normal shooting remove barrel rod clean quick wipe over with lightly oiled rag.After being on the marsh mine gets stripped down even trigger assembly out.Cleaned under the hot tap with a nail brush.Than all parts wiped-dried with cloth.Clean barrel out with cleaning rods.If build up around end of chamber use battery drill with cleang rod and copper bush.Then leave to dry and finaly a light wiping over with oil-maintainance spray pengaurd wd40 ac-90 anthing like that.Found out the more oil you put on the more it builds up with dirt and carbon.Oh mine is a cheap and cheerfull webly and scott 810 synthetic and its great onley played up when i got mud in the bolt assembly.Its a tool and does its job.Any good gun shop would show you how to strip and clean.All the rest of my shooting use the over and under can take at anywere appart from the marsh.The barrels go rusty.This is my opinion and what i do and it works for me and my auto.Happy shopping. Look for holes in barrel DONT USE WD40- seriously it eats through silver solder, i have seen it remove bolt handles on rifles and remove ribs from shotguns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Look for holes in barrel DONT USE WD40- seriously it eats through silver solder, i have seen it remove bolt handles on rifles and remove ribs from shotguns Ah-ha. Never looked down an auto barrel before untill then.But now atleast i can see how it works. SORRY BAD INFO ON WD-40 DONT USE IF UNSURE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I've got an old Remi 1100 and it doesn't take long to strip and clean to be honest. You have to be careful of the Vitol O ring but they are about 50p on eBay and my current one has been in a year. Brilliant gun. Nigel Teague swears by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Potter Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Look for holes in barrel DONT USE WD40- seriously it eats through silver solder, i have seen it remove bolt handles on rifles and remove ribs from shotguns Kent, you must have been using the WD40+, the one with added acid I've (well Son of Potter & I) been using WD40 to clean shotguns for 25 years with my oldest gun, Miroku MK38, being cleaned weekly for over 10 years. In all that time WD40 has never eaten through solder, ribs have never fallen off and it has never removed the blueing (blacking?) from the barrels. I perhaps wouldn't take the chance of using it on damascus barreled old guns and I can't comment on it's use for rifles (but see no reason why rifle construction should be any different to that of shotguns). So my 2 pennyworth, USE WD40 IF YOU WANT TO - It won't do any harm. Mr Potter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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