Instructions how to clean long guns

Why is regular weapon maintenance so important? This is best illustrated by a well-known line from the film Black Barons: "Comrades, what happens to a gun when you leave it in the wind and rain? It corrodes!“ Regular maintenance of the weapon is the alpha and omega of its life. Cleaning of the long weapons affects in addition to the length of use, its functionality, dispersion, overall condition and, after all, its value. So, let’s take a look at the basic principles of cleaning the long guns.

Why do we clean the guns?

Every shooter should be proud of their gun; whether for sports or recreational shooting. Proper cleaning of long guns is not rocket science. But it is on the pedestal in the ranking of its duties. The state of the device is so important that it affects its accuracy, functionality and performance. And this further affects the shooter himself.

The gunpowder fumes absorb moisture many times, which has a negative impact on the barrel of the gun if the maintenance is neglected. Simply put, it starts to corrode. Even such details determine the condition of the long air rifles.

Equipment for cleaning long guns

The size of the cleaning arsenal depends only on your willingness to spend money on cleaning supplies. In general, we use mechanical and chemical aids for cleaning. The mechanical ones include, in particular, various cleaning brushes, cloths, wipes and cotton swabs. We usually combine mechanical aids for cleaning long guns with chemical ones.

We include many cleaning oils  and other lubricants among the chemical aids for cleaning guns. The gun and equipment market are currently full of many tweaks, so it’s up to you which ingredients and basic cleaning kits to choose.

Start cleaning a long gun

Before we start cleaning the gun itself, it is important to realize that the gun must be empty. There must be no clogged cartridges or other coarse dirt. We will find this out by checking the chamber thoroughly. The magazine is, of course, empty, the striker launched. It also forms a separate chapter in cleaning the weapon. We clean the firearm regularly. Ideally after each shooting.

If you are not such a passionate shooter, remember that ongoing maintenance is the key to proper operation. We understand that there is not always time left for detailed maintenance, so it is enough to spray oil inside the barrel or ammunition chamber after firing.

When cleaning long guns, the most important part is the barrel. It is usually the dirtiest, as it has the greatest friction between ammunition and the gun itself. We combine mechanical and chemical cleaning. First we clean the barrel with cleaning brushes. An excellent product for a detailed cleaning of the barrel is a cleaning cord with a double brush. We just pull it over the barrel and clean the inside a few times with it. This will remove the biggest impurities. In the case of coarse deposits, we use a solvent that detaches the dirt from the edges of the barrel and refines its structure. Then just clean the barrel with a cleaning brush and the first part is over.

Improper cleaning can damage the parts of the barrel. Therefore, be especially careful with the muzzle of the barrel. If it is damaged, it will have a negative impact on its dispersion.

A very special place of the gun is the chamber, the area of the ejector and the breech block. We clean these parts with cleaning oil. Apply oil on them, leave on for a while and finally rub with an old toothbrush. As a rule, it is possible to clean hard-to-reach places with a toothpick or a smaller cotton swab.

In order for a long gun to be ready for operation, it is necessary to think about its magazine. We clean it several times a year. First of all, it is necessary to disassemble it and lubricate the inside.

Some see the stock as a detail. But we see it as another important part of a long gun. Therefore, think of the surface of the stock. It is important that it is dry and free of dirt. Wood products are a guaranteed choice for the health and shine of the stock. Finally, of course, we clean it with a dry cloth.

When cleaning long guns, we mainly think about performing individual tasks with peace and not scratching them with cleaning brushes. Keep in mind that some parts of the barrel are very fine, so always use the proper tool. If you can't help with some of the procedures, you can read everything you need from the world of guns in our blog posts.