Semi-automatic shotgun cleaning

[jwhitton]

Hello everyone,

 

I have had a Browning 12G O/U shotgun for a number of years now, but I recently shot so well with my mates semi-auto that I have just bought a nearly new Franchi Variomax 912. What a wonderful bit of kit this is, but unfortunately it did not come with the destruction manual. Which I doubt would give many tips anyway!!!

 

Well coming from the over and under school, I now find myself with a gun that requires a bit more detailed cleaning than the old Browning.

 

I wanted to ask what is the best way to clean the gun? Both from an "after-use" and a "deep clean" perspective?

 

Do the "piston" and shaft need to be very clean since they are covered in gun powder residue after about 20 shots and look a right mess after 100 on the clay ground!

What sort of solvent (white spirit) should be used to get all the black gunpowder off the piston and shaft mechanism? Obviously this will be wiped off and lubricated after use.

 

How do you clean the bolt mechanism?

 

How often should the gun have a "deep" clean?

 

How should the two "gas hole vents" in the barrel be cleaned?

 

TIA, Jon

[Oly]

I', in the same boat actually...and no mine came with the instruction manual and it doesn't tell you a lot about regular cleaning...only how to take it all apart!

 

Eagerly await someones reply to this one though!

[Hodmedod.one]

I have a Remington 11-87.

 

I always clean it after every outing.

 

I remove the barrel and clean the burnt powder from the piston and magazine tube with a little solvent on a rag. If you do it every time, it only takes a minute and saves having to resort to wire wool to remove a heavy build up.

I then wipe the magazine tube over with an oily rag. I also have a poke around inside the action with the rag (being very careful not to accidentally push the close button!)

A quick oily rag and then a lambswool mop with clean oil on it for the inside of the barrel.

 

About once a year I give the two gas ports in the barrel a poke out with a drill bit and remove the trigger assembly and clean/oil it it properly.

 

I have never ever had a misfire or jam up on it.

[il cacciatore]

Exactly how I do it. I would say after about 1000 carts its a good idea to clean the mechanism.

[hawkeye]

I use pipe cleaners on the ports on my auto.......

[luckytrigger]

I have a Remington 11-87.

 

I always clean it after every outing.

 

I remove the barrel and clean the burnt powder from the piston and magazine tube with a little solvent on a rag. If you do it every time, it only takes a minute and saves having to resort to wire wool to remove a heavy build up.

I then wipe the magazine tube over with an oily rag. I also have a poke around inside the action with the rag (being very careful not to accidentally push the close button!)

A quick oily rag and then a lambswool mop with clean oil on it for the inside of the barrel.

 

About once a year I give the two gas ports in the barrel a poke out with a drill bit and remove the trigger assembly and clean/oil it it properly.

 

I have never ever had a misfire or jam up on it.

 

Much the same for me with my 1100

[stevethevanman]

I oil and clean my gun after every outing, this is important as if you dont your gun will get dirtyer and dirtyer, and its preformance will get worse and worse, until eventualy it just stuffs up.

[mossy835]

when i had a semi auto, remmy 1100 had it fot 2 years never cleaned it had no trouble with it.

[stevethevanman]

I think gun maintenance is a good aspect ofshooting, as it tewaches a form of discipline.

[duster]

What solvents do you chaps use? i use parker-hale 009 for the bore, and youngs 303 for the moving parts.

A word of warning with the 009, it can damage certain finishes, plastics etc. Good stuff though, smells nice too.

[Oly]

I have a Remington 11-87.

 

I always clean it after every outing.

 

I remove the barrel and clean the burnt powder from the piston and magazine tube with a little solvent on a rag. If you do it every time, it only takes a minute and saves having to resort to wire wool to remove a heavy build up.

I then wipe the magazine tube over with an oily rag. I also have a poke around inside the action with the rag (being very careful not to accidentally push the close button!) :o

A quick oily rag and then a lambswool mop with clean oil on it for the inside of the barrel.

 

About once a year I give the two gas ports in the barrel a poke out with a drill bit and remove the trigger assembly and clean/oil it it properly.

 

I have never ever had a misfire or jam up on it.

 

Nice one, that's what I've been doing so far! Hawkeye...good idea on the pipe cleaners!

 

 

What solvents do you chaps use? i use parker-hale 009 for the bore, and youngs 303 for the moving parts.

A word of warning with the 009, it can damage certain finishes, plastics etc. Good stuff though, smells nice too.

 

I use Napier Spray oil/lube every time...and keep some Hoppes on the shelf just in case I want to do a deep clean!

 

when i had a semi auto, remmy 1100 had it fot 2 years never cleaned it had no trouble with it.

 

I'm with stevethevanman on this one...it's not just good disciple but safer too...might work fine now, but you might not be around to tell us about when the barrel gives way! Extreme I know but cleaning allows you to look over the gun and check for barrel bugles etc.