How To Clean A Shotgun – Best Practice Guide

Over time, firearms can be damaged by buildup, corrosion and rust, and even just regular friction as parts rub together. Regular cleaning can help maintain all the moving parts inside your firearm, stop it from jamming, and keep it functioning for years to come. To keep your shotgun in good working order and prolong its life, it is important to clean and protect it and this should be done every time it is used, and especially if conditions have been wet.

In this new best practice guide, England Olympic Trap Team member – William Gilbert – shares his personal process and recommendations for cleaning a shotgun.

1.  Always check that your gun is unloaded and safe before dismantling it for cleaning. It can then be broken into its 3 main component parts – the action/stock, barrels and forend.

2.  To begin, thread a patch through a slotted cleaning jag, attached to a cleaning rod. Saturate the patch with Witham Gun Barrel and Choke Cleaner and push it through the barrels, then set them aside while you clean the action. To prevent run-off into the action body, aim the front of the action downwards, and spray Witham Gun Oil onto the cocking rods to remove any loose debris.

3.  Next, apply a small amount of Witham Gun Oil onto a piece of paper towel and wipe around the receiver to remove any unburnt powder or debris that may have accumulated. Wipe around the forend iron with an oily rag. After cleaning the receiver and forend, apply a light coat of Witham Gun Oil to all surfaces of the receiver. Wipe it around with your finger to ensure an even coat on the inside of the action.

4.  Use a phosphor bronze brush to scrub the inside of the barrels. Push the brush through the entire length of the barrels, pull it back, and repeat 3 or 4 times. Then scrub the chambers for around 10-15 seconds.

5. Dampen a patch with a small amount of Witham Gun Barrel and Choke Cleaner, attach it to a jag, and push it through the barrels. Push another patch through and inspect the barrels to see if they are clean. If they are not, spray some more Witham Gun Barrel and Choke Cleaner into the bores, and scrub the barrels and chambers again. Push two more patches through, the first damp and the second dry. They should be clean by this point, but if not, repeat the scrubbing and push more patches through until the barrels are clean.

6. Finally, spray Witham Gun Barrel and Choke Cleaner around the ejectors to flush out any debris, and wipe around with a paper towel or rag. Spray a small amount of Witham Gun Oil down the barrels and around the ejectors and push a wool mop through to protect the insides of the barrels and prevent them from rusting.

For Guns with Interchangeable chokes

If your gun has interchangeable chokes, remove and clean them using an oily rag. Apply a small amount of Witham Gun Oil and put them back in the barrels. Oil the hinge pins and put the barrels back on the gun. Wipe down the barrels with an oily rag and put the forend back on the gun. Finally, wipe the outside of the action and underneath the top lever with an oily rag. Take care not to touch the metalwork when you put the gun away, as this can encourage rust to develop.

For more information about Witham Group’s gun care range, go to our website:
www.withamgroup.co.uk/products/gun-oil