Vanity, Gun Cleaning (That's right, guns. FReepers come runnin'!)

July 26, 2009 | Owl_Eagle

[End Times Sentinel]

I was beginning to google around for the answer to this question, but then I thought "Who knows more about guns than my fellow FReepers?"

So, I have a Mossberg 500, and I figured today would be as good a day as any to clean it. Now, in the past I've used something called "Butch's Bore Shine" but I ran out last time and haven't remembered to pick any up. It's hotter than blazes outside and the skies could open up at any minute so I don't want to walk down to the gun store. Can I use WD40 instead? I haven't fired it since I last cleaned it, so I'm not real concerned about stuff like copper and carbon build up. I just don't want to do something I'll regret.

Thanks in advance,

Owl_Eagle

[Mr. K]

wy are you cleaning it again if it hasn’t been fired?

[Loud Mime]

I was cleaning it and it just went off!

[Andonius_99]

Where’d you have it stored? In mud? :) Seriously, though, if you haven’t fired since the last time you cleaned it, you should be GTG. Just apply a little lube if it’s been a while since the last time you cleaned it.

[mountainlion]

WD 40 won’t cut the copper or lead in the bore. It is mostly kerosene and the lube is just temporary. It should do a fair job on the powder residue so go for it.

[End Times Sentinel]

I clean my handgun every month, but I don’t keep that zipped up in a case like I do my shotgun.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The local gunsmith here advises not to use WD 40. Claims its gummy. I use Hoppes exclusively.

[rockprof]

I’ve always been told, by people who know, not to use WD-40. It won’t kill your gun but it will gum things up after a while. Better to wait a few days, get the proper stuff, and do it then.

[Puppage]

I just finished cleaning my Franchi 12ga.
A tad filthy from a few rounds of sporting clays.

[Daffynition]

FWIW WD-40 does not contain kerosene according to the WD website.

Owl_Eagle, if this is a one-time deal/emergency, I wouldn't worry. But for regular cleaning, I'd stick to the "good stuff."

[wagglebee]

Go to a gun shop and buy a can of Eezox. It dries very quickly, but still lubricates and it will protect the gun forever. However, with a shotgun, if it’s been oiled, not used and kept in a case it should be fine for a long time.

[EGPWS]

Well, if it's just a Mossburg and not a Remington sandpaper should work just fine. ; ) /s

[End Times Sentinel]

Okay, sounds like I'll just put it off ‘till next weekend, certainly not an emergency.

I'd like to thank all you folks who chimed in.

And for all of you’s who didn't: SHAME ON YOU!!! A vanity on guns. This shoulda been run up over 100 responses by now. And if I'd posted this during work hours on a weekday, is surely would've.
Weekend FReepers, a breed apart, and not in a good way.

[50cal Smokepole]

I also have a 500. Be sure to remove the trigger assembly and assorted “stuff” that falls out (can be a pain to put back together the first time). I tried just using Gun Scrubber without tear-down. Dumb. [head slap]

[wagglebee]

There’s also Gunzilla. I bought a bottle of it a few months back and was really impressed, it cleaned and lubricated wonderfully WITHOUT the horrible odor.

In a pinch WD-40 would work fine, but it doesn’t really sound like you have anything to worry about.

[JRandomFreeper]

I use Hoppes exclusively.

God I love that smell. To be honest, since I'm a single old guy, I use that in the house instead of potpourri.

/johnny

[right way right]

Yep,Nothin more therapeutic than getting out the
Gun Cleaning kit.

[Daffynition]

Silly. We’re all just packing up to go to the range and waiting for the picnic lunch to be readied. Happy shooting! :-D

[Hot Tabasco]

I’ve tried Brakleen which works great to disolve all the powder and crud in my shotgun barrels..... Its a brake cleaner.......

[white17x]

Horrible odor ???

There’s nothing better than Hoppe’s #9. The old lady puts a dab behind each ear every night.