39TDS Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I have a 12g and a .22lr that I have had for around about 35 years. I can't remember when I last cleaned either of them and quite possible not this century never mind this decade. Both still go bang when they are supposed to and both are worth more now than what I paid. Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloydi73 Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 Its depends on what make & type of spray oil you are using, you do need to wipe the outside with an oily cloth which will remove finger prints etc. the acid from your fingers can cause rust on the outside of the barrels if not removed. Thanks Browning, I'm using Napier Cleaning sparay and then Napier Gun Oil afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'm a newbie, only been shooting since last November, End of every month I attach the cleaning rod to a cordless drill and use that down the barrells on all 3 of my guns.......They all look great...... Can I just ask though, I have the proper gun oil aswell, are you supposed to spray this on the outer side of the barrells and action, or just the inside? I only do the inide and wipe all outside down with a dry clean cloth. 3 guns since November! You'll clean them out proof before you shoot them loose! I wouldn't use a drill that regularly! If modern chrome lined barrels won't need that level of cleaning unless your shooting BP Wiping the outside is important to leave a tiny film and remove moisture. Over oiling is as bad as no oiling as it will soften the wood at its weakest point (where it meets the action) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloydi73 Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 3 guns since November! You'll clean them out proof before you shoot them loose! I wouldn't use a drill that regularly! If modern chrome lined barrels won't need that level of cleaning unless your shooting BP Wiping the outside is important to leave a tiny film and remove moisture. Over oiling is as bad as no oiling as it will soften the wood at its weakest point (where it meets the action) I know HDAV , it's just Berretta, I love them..lol....I bought a Second Hand 682 Golden E, and to be honest shoot so well with it, I don;'t think I'll ever get rid of it, then I bought a Berretta A300 Outlander for my field pursuits, and was more than content with that, then Berretta just had go and re-launch the 682 under the guise og the new 692...I had a go and loved that, so as a treat to myself, I went and purchased it, with 32" barrells and spent my first weekend just gone with it...had a lesson aswell at The Oxord Shooting School....did very well....Only problem now is I'm mixing 30" 682 and 32" 692, but I'm coping well... Thanks all for the oiling advice, and HDAV, I'll cut down on the drilling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I clean my guns when they need it, I'm not overly anal about it. But then I dont buy flashy guns as I dont care for looks and dont want to be all precious about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 Does anyone know how to find out how old it is? Proof marks will tell you the age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 Hamster, I'm a new father too, well, she's almost 2 now and go out tow ork from 06:30 to 19:00, but the weekend when i go shooting, I clean as soon as I get in and it's a;; done in 10 mins and out of the way to get on with the household chores...lol.... Can I just ask though, I have the proper gun oil aswell, are you supposed to spray this on the outer side of the barrells and action, or just the inside? I only do the inide and wipe all outside down with a dry clean cloth. It's fairly obvious some people think you need to clean a gun every time it is used, that is simply not the case. Guns are manufactured from extremely durable steels and metals which are then treated to withstand extremes of temperature as well as some moisture without falling apart or losing value unduly. I've owned air guns, shotguns and rimfires for 40 years+ and have never suffered from rust, chokes seizure or whatever else is supposed to happen when you clean guns only when they need cleaning. My 12g shotgun routine is clean when wet or when I feel like it using Ligier spray. I scrub the inside of the barrel for 10 seconds with a 10 gauge brush, blow, spray, stuff loo paper, push through, lovingly look and ignore any minuscule imperfections such as a line of plastic or powder streak knowing full well it will do zero harm and that the very first shot will restore it to its former dirty glory. My chokes get removed and cleaned regularly enough, not religiously. I'm a lover not a scrubber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) Thanks Browning, I'm using Napier Cleaning sparay and then Napier Gun Oil afterwards.Napier is safe to use on the outside of the barrels, wipe a small amount on with a cloth - protects from rust.But keep it away from the woodwork. Edited March 17, 2014 by browning123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 You can date your beretta here. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=73492&sid=cb6d6c8927227b6f2a7e14c3656f96f9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_magicfingers Posted March 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 You can date your beretta here. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=73492&sid=cb6d6c8927227b6f2a7e14c3656f96f9 Thanks very much for that, I've XX9 so 1973 Looking good for its age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) It's easy to ruin a gun by cleaning too much too. Mine get a spray down both barrels getting the faces and ejectors at same time the the barrels get a few strokes with the bronze brush in the chamber and forcing cones first before a few full push and pull the full length barrels of my Napier mop with a bronze brush attached to the end. The barrels are then clean enough with a light film of oil left on. The ejectors and breech face then get a rub with a oily duster that has six years of oil and grease on it and then barrels wiped down with the oily cloth same with the action the chokes turned out one turn and then put away muzzle down, you can tell when your chokes are ready for cleaning as when you turn them out a turn before putting away you can feel it getting gritty with carbon, chokes will then be cleaned after next outing and gun regreased at the wear points. If it gets wet it gets stripped and dried before a good clean and relube, otherwise I only give it the full Monty every few months. Stock gets a coat of wax about twice a year. The semi auto gets a wipe over before putting it away and a bit of spray oil in action before use. Figgy Edited March 18, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I do give mine a quick clean after every time out, including giving them a wipe over with a lightly oiled wrag. But I always, without fail come into the house and leave them outside their cases, and leave them for an hour or so to acclimatize before the clean and wipe over. Then lock them away. Just to point out that this is done in a safe manner away from prying eyes.... But is this being a bit OCD? Does anyone else let their guns "acclimatize" before they go away?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I do give mine a quick clean after every time out, including giving them a wipe over with a lightly oiled wrag. But I always, without fail come into the house and leave them outside their cases, and leave them for an hour or so to acclimatize before the clean and wipe over. Then lock them away. Just to point out that this is done in a safe manner away from prying eyes.... But is this being a bit OCD? Does anyone else let their guns "acclimatize" before they go away?? Yes. Although I rarely if ever clean my guns I don't put them straight into the safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 It's easy to ruin a gun by cleaning too much too. Mine get a spray down both barrels getting the faces and ejectors at same time the the barrels get a few strokes in the chamber and forcing cones first before a full push and pull of my Napier mop with a bronze brush attached to the end. The barrels are then clean enough with a light film of oil left on. The ejectors and breech face then get a rub with a oily duster and the barrels wiped down same with the action the chokes turned out at turn and then put away muzzle down. If it gets wet it gets stripped ad dried before a good clean and relube, otherwise I only give it the full Monty every few months. Stock gets a coat of wax about twice a year. The semi auto gets a wipe score putting away and a bit of spray oil in action before use. Figgy I think its impossible to damage a gun from too much cleaning only through bad cleaning might one damage their gun. Many believe in removing barrel oil after cleaning as not only can it lead to pressure or hydraulic barrel damage it can also seep into areas you don't want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 All my guns are over 100 years old, one I have owned since circa 1959. Cleaned after every outing first kitchen paper around a bronze brush untill it comes through clean. Same again with a touch of Youngs oil, a brisk few strokes with the bronze brush dry off with kitchen roll then a light touch of 3:1 on the wool mop. A wipe round the action with an oily rag, a touch of oil on all visible moving parts, wipe that off, oily rag over the barrels. Store in cabinet muzzles down. If been used in wet conditions I let the barrels dry on top of a radiator before cleaning. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) You should never clean guns . Never oil them or on the other hand over oil them . Knock them about and abuse them . Gunsmiths need work . Edited March 18, 2014 by Gunman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 All my guns are over 100 years old, one I have owned since circa 1959. Cleaned after every outing first kitchen paper around a bronze brush untill it comes through clean. Same again with a touch of Youngs oil, a brisk few strokes with the bronze brush dry off with kitchen roll then a light touch of 3:1 on the wool mop. A wipe round the action with an oily rag, a touch of oil on all visible moving parts, wipe that off, oily rag over the barrels. Store in cabinet muzzles down. If been used in wet conditions I let the barrels dry on top of a radiator before cleaning. Blackpowder + 1, except I store barrels up as my cabinet was built for that. One of my guns is over 200 years old, several 100 years +, some younger. To those saying It's easy to ruin a gun by cleaning too much too, I don't know what on earth you do when cleaning, but if you clean properly as Blackpowder does above, that's absolute rubbish! Proper cleaning will NEVER ruin a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Have a look at some old guns that have been over cleaned the engraving is worn down to barely visable the wood at the head of the stock are usually dark with oil. No matter how carefull oil will touch the wood when wiping over the action and will accumulate in the wood over time, more times cleaned more oil in wood. Rodding the barrels every time vigorously will eventually wear the bores on older guns without hard finishes. All metal wears when polished. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Instances where the engraving has been worn down on old guns has almost always been due to abrasives being used to remove rust .... caused by not cleaning/protecting. Wood soaked in oil is caused by over oiling during cleaning, not by proper cleaning Cleaning barrels the right way does not wear them out, but lapping/fine boring to remove pitting caused by rust from not cleaning does - quickly. Far more wear and damage is caused to guns through not cleaning than by cleaning properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootgun Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Far more wear and damage is caused to guns through not cleaning than by cleaning properly. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 I clean all my shotguns and rifles after every use or when I get bored I get them all out for a touch up, I maintain my stocks properly at least once a month and keep them tip top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloydi73 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 I clean all my shotguns and rifles after every use or when I get bored I get them all out for a touch up, I maintain my stocks properly at least once a month and keep them tip top. Daz, Waht do you mean by clean your stocks properly? I only ask as I only clean the barrels and action with a wipe over and oil, and just use a dry cloth to wipe over the forend and stock. Is there a better way of cleaning the stock as I'd like to do that too to keep my guns tip top..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 An oiled stock needs a feed every now and then or it tends to dry out. Only use the correct stock oil appropriate to the finish applied, you don't want to go adding stock conditioning oil to a lacquered stock. Most oiled stocks from the manufacturer can be massively improved on durability and finish by further applications of a hand rubbed oil over time, time the manufacturer of a mass produced gun does not have. A well oiled stock will be very weather proof one less so and even the grain will raise after a session in the rain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 You should never clean guns . Never oil them or on the other hand over oil them . Knock them about and abuse them . Gunsmiths need work . Quite agree no one should look after their guns but they should be immaculate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Daz, Waht do you mean by clean your stocks properly? I only ask as I only clean the barrels and action with a wipe over and oil, and just use a dry cloth to wipe over the forend and stock. Is there a better way of cleaning the stock as I'd like to do that too to keep my guns tip top..... I clean with and oil and then treat the wood. With the synthetic stocks I clean and use silicone oil on them. There will no doubt be 1001 ways to clean them but this is the way I do it and all my kit stays pristine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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