Gun cleaning is part of proper gun maintenance that can help prevent clogging and corrosion in rifle or gun barrels, which can be dangerous.
I had to learn that the hard way.
When I was just starting out, I used to be too lazy to clean my shotgun that I ultimately almost destroyed it!
By the end of my guide, you’ll have a shotgun that not only has fewer chances of getting a failed shot but will also keep looking shiny and brand-new!
Preparation Before You Clean a Shotgun
There are a few things you need to get to first before giving a thorough cleaning to your shotgun: Cleaning tools and a stripped-down shotgun.
Shotgun Cleaning Tools
Now that you’re all caught up, you can prepare the tools you’ll need for the routine cleaning of your gun.
The easiest way would be to purchase a shotgun cleaning kit from your local gun shop:
- Bore cleaning rods and attachment
- Chamber brush
- Phosphor bronze bore brush
- Cotton mop
- Cleaning roll or patches
- Brass cleaning jag, where you will attach the patches or rolls
- Cloth for wiping
- Cotton buds
- Toothbrush, two if possible
- Gun cleaning oil for the barrels
- Grease for the hinges
- Silicone oil or furniture polish for the wooden stock
- Cleaning solvent, such as the Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber or other powder solvents
Disassemble Your Shotgun
This part is also known as “field stripping” the shotgun.
Like a rifle, you will notice some differences with the different action types of the gun you have so the best way to start is by reading the manual.
As boring as that sounds, remember: this is a shotgun we’re talking about here. One blast and you’re as good as well…ancient.
So do us a favor and make sure you read the manual as you go along these steps.
Your shotgun owner’s manual will have the information you need to understand how to strip it down and any precautions when cleaning certain parts.
Here is a general rundown of what you’ll be doing:
Break Action Guns
Break action guns are the most common kind of shotgun (common, but still badass and powerful).
They’re compact since they can only hold a single shot and require more instances of reloading.
They can be found in double-barreled guns and single-shot rifles.
- Disconnect the fore-end then remove it from the barrels. For side-by-side or over/under shotguns, you just need to press the push button on top of the fore end.
- To disengage the barrels from the action hinge pins, you make use of the unlocking lever to break the barrels fully.
- With the lever completely open, the barrels can be taken apart from the action.
Semi-Automatic Guns
Semi-automatics can fire repeated shots and without the need for reloading after each pull of the trigger.
Gas-operated shotguns are likely to fall under this category, with the gas powering cycle of the action, ejecting the previous shell used, then loading the next round.
- Unscrew the cap and remove the magazine end of the semi-automatic shotgun.
- Next, pull out the gun’s fore-end.
- Lastly, remove the barrels, which can be pulled out of the receiver with a slight force or by knocking a bit on the action.
How to Clean Your Shotgun
Once the shotgun has been stripped down, I neatly lay out the parts so I don’t miss anything when I need to reassemble it later.
It also helps to work in a secure area that’s well-ventilated so that any accidents are contained while allowing any fumes and fine powder residue to circulate out.
Step 1: Start With the Exterior Surfaces
I always start with a soft cloth that’s been dampened with gun oil and clean all the surface area you can reach on the action, barrel, and receiver.
Don’t forget the trigger itself, the trigger guard, and the unlocking lever. Be thorough!
Alongside a lightly oiled cloth, use a lightly-oiled toothbrush (or any soft-bristled brush) to remove dirt and other unwanted build-ups around the firing pins and hammer.
I also use cotton buds for any hard-to-reach place and wooden toothpicks work for small holes and grooves.
However, if you have a gas-operated shotgun, NEVER use any gun oil on the area around the gas valve, pin, and plunger.
And for automatics, do not oil the magazine tube, spring, and barrel friction rings.
Step 2: Scrub the Interior of the Barrel
After the exterior, you can now focus on the inside of the bores.
But before you start scrubbing, keep it securely positioned on a horizontal workbench and layer a thick cloth under the gun to protect the workbench surface.
Spray some gun oil inside the barrel. Then using a chamber brush, scrub away residual powder or plastic around the cartridge area.
Next, get the phosphor bronze brush and attach it to the cleaning rod.
Spray some cleaning agent on the bore brush and insert it in each barrel from the action end until you reach the choke tubes then back to the chambers.
I pump at least 10-12 times to allow the dirt to break down and be dislodged.
Step 3: Remove the Residue
Switch to the brass jag and with the cleaning roll or patch attached.
Make sure it fits snugly when you pump the cleaning rod in while being able to drag the dislodged residue out.
I replace the roll or patch when it gets too dirty and keep repeating until it comes out clean.
Next, swap the rod attachment to the cotton mop with a bit of gun lubricant.
This acts as a final sweep for any leftover dirt while slightly lubricating the barrel walls.
Step 4: Reassembly
Before reassembling the shotgun, I do a last cleaning of the exterior in case some of the removed residue is left on it.
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