Auto Cleaning?

R

roy reali

New member
I have noticed that owners of self-loading shotguns use different cleaning schedules. There are folks that clean their shotguns after every use. There are those that clean their guns after a certain number of rounds are shot. I even know of a trap shooter that cleans his 11-87 once a year.

I also notice that functioning reliability does not seem to be a problem. The once a year cleaner's shotgun operates without a hitch.

I want to know what the cleaning interval you semi auto shotgun users adhere to.
 
I'd say I follow an as-needed cleaning schedule.

I've used a Beretta 391 for trap, gone through a 10-week league (and then some) and not cleaned it, aside from wiping it down after each use.

But, any time I shoot in the rain, I clean it thoroughly right away.

I suppose it varies from gun to gun how much crud build-up will impede functioning, but I can't say I've had any problems cleaning it as (in)frequently as I do.
 
Re:s&xs

So if a person goes hunting for upland game in dry climate, and shoots a dozen rounds, a complete break down cleaning is not needed?
 
There certainly is nothing wrong with cleaning your gun after every outing, I just usually don't have the time required for a good breakdown. I have not had any of my guns fail to fire due to not being cleaned in a while. I do wipe them down of course after each shoot. I have only seen 1 Rem 1100 fail to fire due to not cleaning, it belonged to a gal that joined our Trap league,, probably figured it was a good place to meet a man..Well, she shot many, many shots with the gun, finally one time in practice it would not cycle well. I took the forend off and of course it was filthy, I mean really dirty. I asked her when was the last time she cleaned it. "I don't know how to clean it, I didn't know you HAD to clean it" she said. I simple took a little Break Free and wiped off the majority of the gunk on her mag tube and it worked fine again. It sort of proved to me that occasional cleaning is necessary, but not every time.
 
Re:ruger4570

Thanks for the feedback.

I do wipe my gun down after every outing. I also use a patch to clean out the chamber area. I now live in a high desert climate. It is very dry here. Little or no moisture, so rust is not a problem.
 
Climate has a lot to do with need to clean auto's in hot humid areas, it is possible to get surface rust in the gas system before you get home from the hunt. I have so I clean after use. I don't pull the trigger housing group until it looks like it needs it., a couple of times a season. I have mod 58, 1100, & 11-87
 
>>So if a person goes hunting for upland game in dry climate, and shoots a dozen rounds, a complete break down cleaning is not needed?<<

If that was the only use the gun would see for an extended period of time, say a few months, I'd do a complete breakdown to make sure everything was clean inside and out. But, if you're shooting fairly regularly, especially in a dry climate, the cleaning you described should suit you just fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top