Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Discharging the Shotgun Safely
• Pump-action shotgun
• Auto-charging gun
• Method 2 of 2: Cleaning the shotgun
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Every shotgun owner should know how to properly care for a gun! Improper handling of firearms makes them less reliable. Lack of reliability can have negative consequences - malfunctions can manifest themselves exactly at the moment when you need the gun to function properly.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Discharging the Shotgun Safely

Pump-action shotgun

1. 1 Make sure you keep your firearm safe at all times. Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction; to initiate action, remove your finger from the trigger.
2. 2 Press the shutter release button (usually in front of or behind the shutter).
3. 3 Pump action shotgun. Repeat until there are no cartridges left in the chamber.
   • Double check that your weapon is unloaded. You don't want an unexpected shot to happen while cleaning your weapon.
4. 4 Keep ammo separate from the shotgun while cleaning.

Auto-charging gun

1. 1 Make sure you are holding the weapon correctly. Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction, view the firearm as if it were loaded, and remove your finger from the trigger.
2. 2 Pull the bolt back and release it. Repeat until there are no cartridges left in the chamber.
   • Double check that your weapon is unloaded. You don't want an unexpected shot to happen while cleaning your weapon.
3. 3 Keep ammo separate from the shotgun while cleaning.

Method 2 of 2: Cleaning the shotgun

Cleaning the shotgun shouldn't take too long. Unless a lot of sand or dirt gets into your gun, everything should function reliably. If you need to do a more thorough cleaning, or you are using an auto-charging gun, here is the process to follow: No dismantling required; open and close the valve as required.

1. 1 Wipe off all components using a paper towel (or lint-free cloth).
   • Wipe off as much of the friction carbon as possible. Also wipe off old oil and any unburned powder.
   • Be sure to wipe the ejector and the area around the camera. You will find that some parts are more soiled by the black marks on the towel (clean these parts more thoroughly).
2. 2 Apply a special solvent (it is better to choose one that will not damage your skin upon contact, such as M-Pro 7) to all the soiled parts.
   • Spray a sufficient amount of solvent.
3. 3 Let the solvent soak in for a few minutes. Make sure there is sufficient solvent on all parts covered with dirt or unburned powder.
4. 4 Use a brush (not a metal brush, such as a toothbrush) to clean the weapon. This method works great with solvent and removes the carbon build-up on the weapon. Try to wipe in all nooks and crannies.
5. 5 Wipe down the weapon with a lint-free cloth (you can buy cut cloth, but a clean old shirt or socks will work as well). Wipe down wherever the solvent has been applied until the gun is clean.
6. 6 Wipe the entire shotgun (inside and outside) with a solvent-soaked, lint-free cloth over and over again.
7. 7 Use a ramrod to remove carbon deposits, powder residues and dirt accumulated in hard-to-reach parts of the shotgun.
   • You will find most of the carbon deposits in the chamber. The accumulation of burning occurs at the corners of metal pieces.
8. 8 Wipe down the barrel with a cloth soaked in solvent. Repeat this with clean rags (soaked in solvent) until the rag stops picking up dirt. Then wipe it down with a cloth soaked in oil, this will protect your barrel from rusting.
   • If you are inexperienced in gun cleaning, you can use a barrel cleaning cord.
9. 9 Apply oil to components that require lubrication. Usually, the instructions for the weapon indicate which parts should be oiled after cleaning.
   • Be sure to apply oil to the valve.
   • Try to keep the oil out of the firing pin (oil collects dirt and fumes from gunpowder, the accumulation of this fumes around the firing pin can jam it and prevent the weapon from firing).
10. 10 Wipe down the weapon and remove excess oil.

Tips

• If you are having difficulty cleaning carbon deposits, use more solvent and let it sit for a while.
• If you can't wipe off all the areas where you applied the solvent, it will eventually evaporate, or the oil will neutralize it.
• A quick way to clean the barrel is with a special cord. If the gun does not require particularly careful maintenance, the barrel can be cleaned with a special cleaning cord. This method is especially convenient. if you use a weapon frequently.
• A very light (almost invisible) layer of oil on the outside of the metal parts will prevent corrosion.

Warnings

• Make sure the solvent is safe for your gun and preferably safe for constant contact with your hands.
• Be careful not to get oil on the firing pin (oil builds up dirt and powder residues, which can interfere with firing).
• Wash your hands after handling weapons.
• Always clean your shotgun in a well-ventilated area, solvent or oil vapors can be hazardous to your health.

What do you need

• A dirty shotgun.
• Paper towels.
• Lint-free fabric.
• Solvent (preferably skin-friendly like M-Pro 7)
• Oil (oil specially made for firearms, other oils, or lubricants can also be used, but often requires more work).
• Ramrod.
• Special brush or cord for cleaning the barrel
• Brush (not with metal bristles, but such as a toothbrush)