Removing stock and cleaning metalwork

[.Skinner.]

Hi all,

Out of interest, how often do people remove their rifle’s stock and clean/oil all of the ‘hidden metal’?

I always give my guns a wipe after shooting, and if it’s been raining I ensure they’re dry before getting the oily rag treatment - but generally only on the metalwork I can get to. I just worry that the concealed bits might be suffering, and interested to hear about how often people go to that extent?!

Many thanks

 

[Fabnosh]

Anything the pressure washer misses stays there.

FN

 

[FISH BOY]

In 25 years, can honestly say never.

Same routine as you with a thorough dry out barrel down, quick bore snake and oily rag over anything metal especially my fingerprints.

Not a spot of rust on mine that I know about

 

[cjm1066]

I use a thin coat of vaseline on the hidden wood when I ocassionally remove the stock, as yet no rust.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Hi all,

Out of interest, how often do people remove their rifle’s stock and clean/oil all of the ‘hidden metal’?

I always give my guns a wipe after shooting, and if it’s been raining I ensure they’re dry before getting the oily rag treatment - but generally only on the metalwork I can get to. I just worry that the concealed bits might be suffering, and interested to hear about how often people go to that extent?!

Many thanks

Once in a blue moon, prompted either by the rifle having got totally soaked or while undertaking other maintenance.
Regards
JCS

 

[Smelly Yeti]

Do mine every now & then but generally only if it’s had a real soaking. Would possibly do it more often if it wasn’t such a PITA having to check zero every time the stock has been off.

 

[Steff]

Buy a Blaser, take it apart after a wet day, wipe it down, put it back together again and stop worrying.

 

[bfltd0]

What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.

 

[Bowland blades]

I use a thin coat of vaseline on the hidden wood when I ocassionally remove the stock, as yet no rust.

Oops petroleum jelly will be absorbed by a wood stock and soften tge bedding area , don't do it on a wood stock

 

[Bowland blades]

Only rarely but you should even when bedded

 

[parkyboy]

I soak a 1 foot length of '4 be 2' gun cloth in leigia gun oil and feed it down at right angles between the barrel and the forend and floss it back and forwards while keeping it flat and tight to the barrel ( it jams else) all the way down to the action...gives good protection against rust etc that you cant see unless you take everything apart...H.

 

[Redders]

Make sure you torque your action screws back up to the correct tension as they will affect accuracy if not tightened properly

 

[McKenzie]

Do mine every now & then but generally only if it’s had a real soaking. Would possibly do it more often if it wasn’t such a PITA having to check zero every time the stock has been off.

Get a torque wrench. I tested it extensively & there's no change if you repeat the same setting.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Buy a Blaser, take it apart after a wet day, wipe it down, put it back together again and stop worrying.

Or a Sauer 202 no bedding issues with them. I assume that the same is true for the 404.

 

[Tim.243]

In 25 years, can honestly say never.

Same routine as you with a thorough dry out barrel down, quick bore snake and oily rag over anything metal especially my fingerprints.

Not a spot of rust on mine that I know about

It's all under the stock Russ.....

 

[Tim.243]

Hi all,

Out of interest, how often do people remove their rifle’s stock and clean/oil all of the ‘hidden metal’?

I always give my guns a wipe after shooting, and if it’s been raining I ensure they’re dry before getting the oily rag treatment - but generally only on the metalwork I can get to. I just worry that the concealed bits might be suffering, and interested to hear about how often people go to that extent?!

Many thanks

Volunteer rape and tall plants similar have found their way down the side of the barrel when I have walked through cover strips in the late autumn.
Always break down my shotguns as lots of places for grime/grit to sit....soft brass tooth brush with some GT85 you will be amazed what comes off...

 

[Yorric]

It's easy to clear out the barrel channel if it's free floated with an air line / four by two or a tissue after wet or "dirty" session, However if the action has had a thorough soaking, moisture can get trapped down below the action and around the trigger assembly. This can cause corrosion if not thoroughly dried and the only way to be certain that it is dry is to remove the stock to dry it off and apply the lightest film of oil to the metalwork (not the trigger mechanism which gets a flush out with lighter fluid and that dried with the air line).

To avoid excessive water ingress, I wear a poncho with a front flap to cover the action whilst out in heavy rain, or I use a neoprene scope cover that extends over the action sheltering it. --This works well as protection against dirt, pine needles etc ingress too.

Ian

 

[JockStalk]

Renaissance wax all metalwork and forget till next strip down clean.

 

[Magnificent 7]

Just done mine now I tend to do it at least once a fortnight rifle normally out once a week at least.If its wet through or cold I normally let it dry out in the front room then strip and oil but it's easy with a blaser.

 

[muddy42]

One of my rifles was made in 1976. I removed the stock five years ago to see what it was like under there. No rust and it looked fine so I simply wiped the wood lightly with linseed oil and the metal parts with gun oil and put it back. I havn't touched it since and it holds zero well.