How to Clean Old Shotguns
Weapons constructed of metal have the ability to last a long time, providing that they are regularly cleaned and maintained. You can clean an old shotgun that has been neglected and succumbed to the ravages of time. You will need cleaning tools specifically designed for weapons that can be acquired from a gun store or a hobby shop, along with the tools that are needed for being able to disassemble the shotgun. A properly cleaned and maintained shotgun will perform as good as the day it was first made, providing that you have devoted the time and attention to it that it needs.
Instructions
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1
Crack open the barrels of the shotgun to confirm that there is no ammunition inside. Close the barrels.
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2
Put the soft cloth on a work surface. Remove the screws from both sides of he forward stock with the Phillips screwdriver. Slide the forward stock off the front of the gun. Put the forward stock aside.
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3
Tilt the shotgun forward. Catch the ejector tube that falls out of the hole that was covered by the forward stock. Put the ejector tube aside.
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4
Remove the screws from beneath the front edge of the back of the barrels where they meet the frame of the shotgun with the Phillips screwdriver.
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5
Release the action on the barrel by pushing down on the release lever next to the back of the trigger guard on the right side of the shotgun. Pull the barrels off the front of the shotgun with your hands.
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Insert a gun cleaning squeegee into a patch holder. Attach the patch holder to the end of the rifle cleaning rod. Push the rifle cleaning rod into one of the two barrels. Twirl the rifle cleaning rod as you push it in and out of the barrel three times. Repeat this procedure with the other barrel. Dispose of the gun cleaning squeegee in the trash.
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Install a gun cleaning cloth into the patch holder at the end of the rifle cleaning rod. Apply gun solvent to the gun cleaning cloth. Push the rifle cleaning rod into one of the two barrels. Twirl the rifle cleaning rod as you push it in and out of the barrel three times. Repeat this procedure with the other barrel. Dispose of the gun cleaning cloth in the trash.
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8
Wipe off the shotgun with a lint-free cloth. Put lubricating oil on the lint-free cloth. Wipe off the shotgun with the lint-free cloth.
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Turn the shotgun upside down. Apply a drop of lubricating oil into the hole at the base of the trigger where it meets the frame of the shotgun. Turn the shotgun right side up. Wipe off the trigger with the lint-free cloth.
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Wipe off the ejector tube with the lint-free cloth. Wipe off the forward stock with the lint-free cloth
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Push down on the release lever next to the trigger guard. Put the barrels back onto the shotgun. Release the release lever. Reattach the screws.
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Tilt the shotgun back. Push down on the release lever next to the trigger guard. Insert the ejector tube back into the hole it exited from earlier. Release the release lever.
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Slide the forward stock back onto the shotgun. Reattach the screws. Dispose of the lint-free cloth in the trash.
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Tips & Warnings
Protective gloves and headgear is suggested when dismantling a weapon that has been neglected.
Never aim any weapon that fires a projectile at a person or pet.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bore shotgun image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
