If you’re a gun owner, you know that your weapon is not just an object—it’s an investment. You want to keep it in good condition so it lasts long and performs well when needed. You can do many things to take care of your gun. You must know how to clean, lubricate, and store it properly.
This article will discuss some of the most important tips you can follow when caring for your gun.
Preparing Your Gun for Storage
The first thing that you need to do when caring for your gun is prepare it for storage. When storing your gun, ensure that you put it in a safe place where children or others with malicious intent cannot access it.
This will help keep your firearm from being used in an unfortunate situation. Before storing, clean your firearm using the following methods:
- Clean the exterior of your gun with a soft cloth before storing it. This is important to do so that you can avoid rusting and corrosion, which could damage your firearm when it’s not being used.
- Keep your gun in an unheated, clean, and dry location when you’re not using it. If you live in a humid environment where temperatures are high, consider using a gun sock with a desiccant pack to help keep dust from accumulating around it.
- Ensure that the barrel is completely dry before storing your weapon away from active duty—a moisture-filled barrel will increase the chance of developing rust or corrosion over time.
Using the Right Ammunition
The type of ammunition is also important. There are basically two types:
- Centerfire cartridges: Uses a cartridge case with the primer in the center of the case head. The most common centerfire cartridge is the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge.
- Rimfire cartridges: UseS a cartridge case with its primer material (usually powder, too) recessed into the base of the rim. The most common rimfire cartridges are .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle rimfires (Rimfires).
Check out an online gun accessories shop to find the right kind of ammunition for your firearm at an affordable price.
Safety Is First When Handling and Shooting Your Gun
The thumb rule of firearm safety is always to treat every gun as if it is loaded. This means you must never point your firearm at something unless you intend to shoot it.
Also, remember that even if the action has been removed from a weapon, there could still be live ammunition in the chamber.
In addition:
- Use only approved ammunition with your chosen weapon. Do not use reloaded or hand-loaded cartridges without ascertaining their suitability through testing beforehand (and even then, proceed with caution).
- Always inspect all barrels before cleaning them. Make sure they are completely empty before removing any obstructions such as dirt or corrosion buildup inside those internal chambers by using solvents such as copper remover and brushes made specifically for this purpose.
Oil Finish the Gun Wood Periodically
Oiling your gun’s wood is something you should do after each shooting trip, but it’s not a bad idea to oil it whenever you notice that the wood is dry or rough. Apply the oil directly to the surface with a rag or cloth.
If you don’t have a cloth on hand, try using something like this cotton ball holder thingy as an impromptu applicator.
When it comes to which type of oil to use on your wood, just ensure that whatever product you choose is suitable for firearms—some oils are made specifically for this purpose. You can find them easily in online gun accessories shops.
Final Word
All in all, it is important to take good care of your gun. You can’t expect it to work well if you don’t treat it with respect and proper maintenance. Taking the time to do this will help ensure that your weapons last longer and stay safe for future generations who may use them for hunting purposes or self-defense purposes.