Once done shooting, what is your routine for putting gun away?

[wahoowad]

What is your routine for putting your airgun away after a target/plinking/hunting shoot? All I've done is wipe down the metal surfaces with a silicon cloth. Should I do anything else like a run a patch through the barrel? I'm talking a springer, maybe 25 to 75 rounds per session. I may only shoot a couple times a week, or even a month. Wondering if I should do more. I am getting a cheap hard case to start storing it in if that changes any of the advice.

Also, I am still breaking in my R9 that I bought 11 years ago. I have only put a tin or two of pellets through it. When I got it new I did not know enough to clean out the packing oil in the barrel. I ran a few patches through it tonight for the first time ever, used WD-40 as it was all I had. First patch was dark but things were quickly clean after a couple more. Is WD-40 ok for this? It seemed to work fine.

[longislandhunter]

After a hunt or target shooting session I carefully wipe down the rifle, wood and metal, with a good silicone cloth.  Then I gingerly place the shooter back in the gun safe  

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

DITTO but I use a gun rack in the house...

[wahoowad]

longislandhunter - 4/7/2010  6:23 PM  After a hunt or target shooting session I carefully wipe down the rifle, wood and metal, with a good silicone cloth.  Then I gingerly place the shooter back in the gun safe    Jeff

I avoided wiping the wood with the silicon cloth as I didn't want to make it slick to hold. So this is OK? Does it really help the finish of the wood? I was wondering what to apply to the wood as it looked a little faded.

[PeakChick]

I wipe the entire gun down with a good silicone cloth, including the stock.

I would avoid using WD40 to clean the barrel. WD40 is flamable. The barrel on air rifles don't need cleaning very often (if they received a thorough cleaning when new). Air rifles will shoot better if the barrel has seasoned with some lead down the tube after they have been cleaned.

[cactusrat]

IMO WD40 is not a good “oil” to use on any gun. WD40 is more of a degreaser and cleanser. It will be fine to clean the inside of your barrel, but run plenty of dry patches threw the barrel to remove all the WD40.

Also keep in mind that in humid climates it will cause metal to rust faster by removing any oils.

Try this test, the next time you get your hands greasy out in the shop, clean them with WD40. It will cut right threw the grease. Over using it as a hand cleanser will dry out your skin also.

I just wipe the out side of the guns down with a light oiled rag after I shoot them and hang them on plastic coated hooks from the ceiling.

[djmyers]

I wipe them down with Remington gun oil then into their cases.

[VINNY]

My wood stocks have been coated with Feed and Wax. I wipe the metal down with a silicone gun cloth then put them in the gun cabinets.

[gamo2hammerli]

I try to avoid touching the receivers of my airguns when shooting, that way I don't have to wipe them down as carefully.  With the break barrels, I wipe down the barrel real good with a lightly oiled cloth.  Wipe down the trigger and trigger area and that's it.  With the PCP's I make a conscious reminder of where I touched....usually the barrel and airtube while refilling and the trigger and cocking bolt/lever.  And I wipe those areas good.  Have not touched the wood yet....maybe I should start!!!

I don't clean the bore of the barrel unless accuracy starts to diminish.  And I've read that putting a rifle in it's case is bad since the foam can trap and hold moisture.....so I stopped that.

[airiscool]

I guess I'm not the gun baby-ing type.

I just put the safety back on and lean it back up in the corner next to the back door where it's ready for the next Starling that trys to raid the feeder. It gets a good  wipe-down and oiling every couple weeks that holds up well, and only gets a barrel cleaning when the accuracy drops off.

Paul.