It is important to have a cleaning routine to keep your shotgun looking it's best. A properly cleaned and stored shotgun shouldn't rust and the barrels won't get pitted. Not only does this keep the gun looking good, but it helps it maintain it's value. Pitting will eventually cause weaknesses in the barrel walls and would ultimately render it unsafe to shoot.
How often you clean your gun is much debated, but it depends on how much and how often it's used, and the conditions it is used in. Some makes of gun are more forgiving than others when it comes to cleaning, and different types of shotgun require different cleaning routines. Some barrels are not chrome lined -these are more prone to rusting and you MUST dry completely (not just wiping the outside) else it will be red with rust next time you get it out the cabinet. Semi-auto shotguns can start jamming if not cleaned, particularly when used in dusty environments.
Cleaning a Over and Under / Side by Side
-Make sure gun is fully unloaded and safe before you start.
-Remove forend and place somewhere safe. Every forend wants
to fall on the floor and break so make sure it can’t roll. Remove barrels from
action.
-Remove chokes if applicable. Spray cleaner down the barrel and leave to soak. Spray cleaner inside and on outside of chokes.
We recommend Napier or Pro Ferrum gun cleaners. Napier is a great all round cleaner and lubricant, and Pro Ferrum is particularly good when guns get wet. If you have a really dirty gun with heavy fouling in the barrels then Bore-tech Shotgun Blend is great at cutting through and lifting this easily.
-While the barrel is soaking we clean the action. Using a cleaning brush and some fluid, remove fouling from the face and any debris that has collected inside. We advise putting cleaner on with a cloth not spraying/dripping it in as this can soak into the woodwork and cause future damage. Wipe over outside of action to remove finger prints and dirt. We love the Pro-Shot Utility Brush for this. Lightly grease the hinge pins with something like Napier Gun Grease
-Back to barrels. Depending on loads and wad usage you may need to use a phosphor bronze brush to loosen any dirt stuck to the inside. Scrub, then push a patch/mop through until you can see that the barrels are clean and shiny when you look down them. Make sure choke threads are clear of dirt.
We have Bisley cleaning kits in 12g, 20g and .410 which have jags for patches, brushes and a small mop. We highly recommend Paradox Mops which are great for quick cleaning. Marcus always takes one game shooting to clean his barrels after, and have on hand if anyone has any stuck wads or cartridges. They come in a hard tube for travel, we usually have oil or cleaner soaked in already to speed up cleaning.
-Use a cloth or brush to clean out under the rib and between the barrels.
-Clean round your ejectors. Slide them out and make sure there is no dirt behind them.
-Clean chokes inside and out, making sure threads are clean. Use a small amount of Teague Choke Grease before replacing
-Replace the barrels back into the action and wipe over outside of barrels and action with cloth to remove finger prints. Replace forend. We advise to store shotguns barrels down so if there was any excess oil or cleaner it would drain away from the woodwork.
Woodwork
You must dry your woodwork if it gets wet, and wipe of any mud with a damp cloth and then dry straight after. If your gun gets completely soaked DO NOT force dry them next to heaters/agas/fires as you WILL crack your stock
Not all gunstocks have the same finish and it is important to know which yours has. If you want to bring out your stock shine and help the rain bead off we recommend Napier Stock Shield as it is fine to use on all stocks. Be careful of other oils and treatments as they could potentially damage the existing finish. This sometimes results in needing to have your stock completely stripped down and re finished which isn't cheap! If you are unsure, particularly with a high-end gun then it would make sense to ask a reputable gunsmith how to maintain it.
There are different types of semi-auto shotgun and they all work, and get taken apart differently. Please refer to the Manual before taking apart and follow the specific models cleaning guide. We can always advise if you are unsure.
The main points to remember are not to over oil as this can clog up the ejection/reloading mechanism. The barrel can be cleaned in the same way written above and don't forget to clean out your gas ports to ensure smooth cycling (pipe cleaners are great for this!)
Storage
If you are leaving your gun for any length of time it is advisable to wipe a thin layer of oil down the barrels, and over the outside and action of the gun. This is to prevent rust occurring, a common issue especially when cabinets are against damp walls. We recommend Bisley Gun Oil as gives a good coating for longer term storage. We also recommend using Napier VP90 sachets to remove any moisture in your cabinet
A selection of our favourite gun cleaning kit.