Post shooting maintenance?

[BumbleShot]

After a few hours of shooting springers, having seen Beeman trying to sell "silicone cloth" I simply spray some Liquid Wrench silicone spray into a paper towel and wipe down the barrel, breach, chamber exterior and trigger.

I don't have any Remoil.  I'm not going to buy any either.  It's silicone spray or gun oil on the exterior.  Maybe WD40 if it's Okay.

I'm not going to clean the bore like I would a firearm.  But is simply coating the barrel and places my salty hands touch ample care enough?  I suspect it should be.

A drop of oil on the screws now and then and I figure after-shooting-maintenance is simple and works well with what is on hand.  Is silicone spray caustic to optics or seals?  I try to allow time for the silicone spray to 'dry' a little before zipping the case up 'till next time. But that's why I am asking.  Any 'Gotchas'?

Thoughts?

[TCups]

Of course the most important lubrication after serious shooting is liberal application of CR (over ice).

[Progun]

Hey Neil, if you don't see rust, and if your breech seal o-ring hasn't melted or you don't frequently get detonation shots, then chances are you haven't hurt a thing with the protectants you are using. I would caution you against zipping up your case with your gun in it though. Poor air circulation inside your case will encourage rusting even on oiled guns. Cases are for carrying but not recommended for storing.Also a big don't do it for your glass.That is, don't get the solvent carriers in your aerosols on the scope lenses. You won't ruin it if you do but you won't do it any favors when you polish off the coatings on the glass.I like oil over WD-40 as a protectant.It's worked for hundreds of years.Happy Shooting friend.

[TCups]

A few drops of 30 wt, non-detergent motor oil on a ScotchBrand high efficiency wipe, stored in a resealable plastic tube (mine is from a tube of Crystal Lite drink mix) or a plastic storage bag works great and can be kept in your gun box.  The 30 wt ND oil can be used as a cheap alternative to Crosman PelGun Oil for CO2 guns.  Air compressor oil can be purchased by the quart and can be used very sparingly to oil the seals on SPP's and multi-pumpers every 500-1000 rounds.  I have two 3-ml syringes with blunt needles, each filled with a 1 or 2 ml of each of the two types of oil, labeled and stored in the same tube.  These are perfect for applying a tiny drop of oil right on the spot needed.  A quart of each type of oil is a only few bucks and the supply will last for years.

[RCnMo]

On the subject of keeping things dry. I picked up a few bags of dessicant silica from an old friend of mine. If you can find an airport with a maintenance shop, new engines are shipped with 4-6 bags of this stuff and they usually end up in the trash. They can be reactivated in your oven. I have three in my safe and have never had a problem with rust.

[BumbleShot]

Good points!  

As mentioned I spray on a rag and wipe.  Come to think of it, the breech seal is silicone, so silicone spray is probably a bad idea, afterall.  It's still good for shining up the inside of a frisbee, though, for finger spins...

I've heard and read a bit about Non-detergent motor oil.

What should I look for on the label?  Could someone post a link to an ND oil?  I assume Synthetic Mobile One would be a detergent oil?

Thanks for the tip on storing in a case.  Up until this year, I stored my guns in cases (Webley Tempest) or the original cardboard cartons (Sheridans).  I havn't seen any rust on the Tempest, but will consider this standard advise to think about.

Thanks for the tips all.

[cliffspot]

I have been using silicone treated cloths for guns and fishing reels for the last 20+ years. Never had a problem with rust AND I store my guns in padded gun cases! Just wipe them down good after every shoot and you will be fine, I even wipe down the wood too! And this is living in Honolulu and Miami, high humidity and salt air! Look at Natchez or Midway or Cheaper than Dirt...any of those discount places got deals on them, or the local tackle shop. Dumped my brass brush and Beeman cleaning rod looong ago in favor of patches and pull thru (originally fishing line!) methods.

[Progun]

Hey Cliff, you are obviously on top of your game when it comes to post shooting maintenance.As you said, wiping them down good with protectant before storing is key to rust prevention. My guess is that your guns don't stay in storage too long before bringing them out of their case. Long term storage in a zipped up case in humid environments is risky. Partially zipped at least allows breathing room. I've witnessed some rather fine firearms go from shiney blue to red patina when their owners brought them out of their "storage" cases.

[Graham]

WD-40 should NOT be used on gun bluing as it is a rust preventative, and bluing is controlled rusting so the WD-40 will gradually rub the bluing away. Hope this is of help.