According to experts, all firearms, regardless of parameters such as caliber, principle of operation and the type of ammunition used, should be regularly cleaned and lubricated. If this is neglected, then at the most inopportune moment a gun or pistol will misfire at best, at worst it will completely fail and become dangerous for the shooter. As a result, the owner will have to pay a decent amount for repairs. Many inexperienced hunters are interested in how to clean a gun properly. What is needed for this? Information on how to clean a gun is provided in this article.
On the causes of contamination of hunting weapons
Before you are interested in how to clean a gun, you should understand why it is clogged. The main cause of pollution is the traveling conditions in which weapons are operated. Since hunting rifle units are used in wooded, steppe and marshy areas, their metal parts often come in contact with moisture. It happens that hunters even drop their guns into the water. In addition, the barrel is exposed to high temperatures during the shot. The presence of hot gases and particles of burning powder adversely affects the state of this element of the gun. In other words, small foci of rust begin to form from within the trunk. If you do not clean it in time, then their area will increase. It is noteworthy that as a result of the use of black powder in the barrel channel deposits accumulate. According to experts, with soot weapons more intensively attracts moisture.
When to start?
In addition to the question of how to clean a gun, beginners are interested in when to do this procedure? Some hunters find it often harmful to clean their weapons. This is explained by the fact that scratches will form in the gun, chrome surfaces will be erased, etc. According to experts, such arrows are mistaken, since the rifle unit will fail much faster if you do not care for it, or if it is not done correctly. Most often, the gun will have to be cleaned during shooting, especially if black powder is used not smokeless. Experts advise to take care of the hunting rifle in the reluctant season. Thus, it is advisable to clean at least once a month, even if the weapon was not operated. The rifle unit is cleaned without fail every time after use.
Of course, weapons can be turned over to a service center where professionals will do all the work. However, most hunters do not trust their infantry units and clean them themselves.
What to use?
Before starting the procedure, in the hunting store you need to purchase a special kit for cleaning the gun. It is equipped with the following components:
- Metal brush. With its help, carbon deposits, rust and metal particles are easily removed.
- Two- or three-segment ramrod for cleaning weapons. It can be wooden or aluminum.
- Bristle brush. She applied alkaline grease to clean the gun.
- With a puff brush. With it, weapons are treated with neutral grease.
- Vishera. They are special threaded attachments that are screwed onto the ramrod. The purpose of this element is to hold a rag or rag on the ramrod.
- Special brushes with which dust, dirt and debris are removed in the weapon.
- Sharp wooden chopsticks. They are also called "toothpicks." Used in cases where the mechanism needs to get to hard to reach places.
The above items are considered mandatory for the standard set. Various manufacturing companies engaged in the production of tools for cleaning weapons, complete their products with various additional tools. However, judging by the reviews, it is quite possible to clean the gun with the help of basic tools.
Universal DAC Kits
Judging by numerous reviews, a set of 63 items for cleaning weapons is in great demand among hunters. The peculiarity of this product is the presence of diverse ramrods, additional tools and accessories, as well as brush heads for various calibers. The company has been releasing its kits since 2003. The funds are contained in two pull-out wooden drawers.
The kit consists of the following tools:
- Three copper ramrods for which one handle is provided.
- Ershikov (14 pcs.).
- Puffs in the amount of 10 pieces.
- Vishera made of plastic (4 pcs.) And brass (13 pcs.).
- Adapters-adapters (4 pcs.).
- Three universal brushes.
- Two brushes for cleaning the shutters.
- Two double-sided brushes.
- One double-sided scraper.
- Polishing cloth.
In the main compartment there is a special stand covered with felt, on which you can install weapons during cleaning. In the box in which the cleaning tools are located, the surfaces are also overtightened with felt. Judging by consumer reviews, it is convenient to store oils and various cleaning devices in this spacious compartment. The set weighs no more than 4600 g. To become its owner, you will have to pay 12 thousand rubles.
DAC also produces universal sets of 35 items, through which you can clean any type of weapon. Products worth up to 3 thousand rubles.
Where to buy kits?
Those who want to buy weapons cleaners can do this in specialized stores. One of them is the Okhotnik store.
In Kolomna, it is located at Umanskaya street, house number 19a. The Okhotnik store is open seven days a week following the schedule: from Monday to Friday, it is open from 9:30 to 18:30. Saturday closes at 6 pm. On Sundays, it is open from 10am to 4pm.
Where to begin?
Before cleaning the gun, you need to check if it contains ammunition. After the weapon is discharged, you can proceed directly to cleaning. Begin by dismantling the trunk. If the rifle is a critical type, then the barrel needs to be broken. Next, the ramrod is equipped with a metallized brush, through which the lead causing corrosion is removed in the inner part of the barrel. Then the brush is removed from the ramrod, and in its place the visher is mounted. A rag or rag is attached to it, which continues to remove lead deposits. Experts advise rags to be changed several times. If the lead still remains, then the rag should be dipped in kerosene or turpentine and continue cleaning. After performing these steps, apply universal or neutral grease to the bristle brush and distribute it throughout the barrel channel.
Rust remover
Judging by the numerous reviews, it so happens that the rust has eaten so much that it is no longer possible to remove it with metal brushes and a brush. Such arrows can be recommended to use a special solution, the composition of which is represented by the following chemical components:
- Ammonium sulfate. It will take 28 g.
- Ammonium carbonate (13 g).
- Ammonia water (170 g).
These substances are diluted in distilled water. Next, the resulting solution is poured into the barrel, which is then tightly corked with rubber plugs. In this position, the weapon is left for half an hour. After this time, the plugs can be removed and alkaline grease applied to the barrel.
What else will experts advise?
Rusting can be prevented if moisture is not allowed to enter the barrel. However, in places with high humidity this is not possible. Experienced hunters in the winter, before cleaning, tightly wrap their weapons and thus allow him to “sweat”. This is necessary so that condensation does not begin to form in the barrel channel. It will not be difficult to prevent the process of rusting the outside of the gun with water-resistant glue. First, grease is washed off the gun with a soda solution. Then the elements to be cleaned are not heated very much by a gas burner. Next, glue is applied to them in several layers. After it hardens, the weapon is rubbed with universal grease.
Final stage
Cleaning firearms also involves the removal of dust and dirt from the outer metal parts. At this stage, the master will need a clean, slightly oiled rag. After processing the iron parts, proceed to the wooden surfaces. When the weapon is completely cleaned both inside and out, it needs to be assembled back. Judging by the reviews, often on the wooden parts there are traces of gun grease. It is easy to erase them with a clean rag. Now the gun can be packaged and placed in a special safe in which it will be stored.
Finally
The above methods are considered standard. How to clean your gun, each owner decides for himself. The main thing is to remember that weapons need careful treatment and attention. This is the only way to extend its operational life for many years.