How to Take Care of Your Shot Gun

A shotgun is a gun with a steel barrel that is designed to be fired by placing the curve of the stock in the hollow of the shoulder. The shot gun is a popular weapon and easily available allover the world. As criminals find this gun cumbersome it's licencing and purchase by enthusiasts is relatively easy, even in countries with stringent gun laws. The shot gun has smooth bore and fires cartridges often referred to as shot. These cartridges are made up of small pellets and when fired from the barrel make a spread that continues to increase with distance. Thus as a general rule a shot gun cannot be effective as a long range weapon. Also with the type of ammunition used consisting of pellets the weapon is good for bird shooting and duck shooting or maybe small game like deer and rabbits. Modern shot guns are greatly refined and many types are available. The most common all over the world is the 12 bore double barreled shot gun.

All weapons need care and proper handling for long life of the weapon. Therefore keeping your shot gun clean and fully serviceable will make the weapon last longer. You will obviously like your weapon to last a long time. In addition taking care of your shot gun is a step for your own safety. Any weapon needs to be cared for and in case you clean and oil your shot gun regularly ,there is very little chance that it will misfire or harm you or a passerby.

Make it a point not to modify your shot gun by sawing of the barrel or otherwise. As a gun enthusiast, I am firmly against any modifications. Firstly this could be against the law and secondly the shot guns properties could change with unpredictable results. The safety of the weapon and its use could be severely compromised by making any alterations in your gun.

The best time to clean the gun is in broad daylight preferably on a Sunday or other holiday when you have plenty of time at your disposal. When you get down to the task of cleaning the gun insure that your cleaning kit is nearby and handy. In case you don't have one than buy it from the latest gun store as this is freely available. The cleaning kit for a short gun will consist of the following

a) A piece of flannel or soft cloth

b) A cleaning rod with a set a bristle bush at one end. These cleaning rods can be folded up and consist of screw able parts that fit into grooves to make the rod of appropriate length.

c) Good quality gun oil. In case this oil is not with you then 3 in 1 machine oil can also serve the purpose.

d) A hard tooth brush

e) A Solvent for the bore.

f) Patches. These are synthetic and help in removal of copper, lead and plastic and are used to transfer solvents and oils from bottle to barrel.

Bear in mind that you may need a separate cleaning kit for each weapon in case you have more than one. It is not a good idea to use the same kit for all your guns.

When you commence cleaning your shot gun insure that the gun is not loaded. Open the gun and see that the slot for the cartridge is empty. Please don't underestimate the importance of this as many a time a shot gun has gone off accidentally with deleterious results.

The next step is to dismantle the gun. This is not a difficult task and is easilycarried out.Seperate the barrel the stock and the trigger mechanism and keep them apart. If you are a beginner take the help of someone who knows about shot guns or alternatively go through the user manual that must have come along with the gun.

The next step is to examine the weapon carefully and look for any tell tale signs of rust or dirt on the barrel or the other metal portions of the gun. Use the bore solvent with the hard tooth brush and scrub the metal parts clean. Use the dry patch to run around the gun to clean it up.

The next step is to clean the inside of the barrel. Use the steel /brass brush fitted to the rod and run it through the barrel in a vigorous motion with a tinge of gun oil. Once the barrel is cleaned from the inside take a look at the inside of the barrel with your eyes. You will see the inside of the barrel is shining when you hold it against the sun light.It will mean that the barrel is now clean and ready for use. Do clean the barrel regularly after every shoot.

Lastly apply the gun oil all over the parts of the gun and reassemble the weapon. Wipe and clean the stock as well . In case it has a crack or a chip get it repaired or replaces it. If you follow proper procedures to clean your gun, it will give you a long life and also give great pride in the weapon you own.