Knowing how to properly care for your gun is extremely important for several reasons. A dirty or poorly maintained rifle is more prone to accidents. It is also more likely to jam and will be less precise, which will make it less pleasant to use.
You also want your firearms to last as long as possible, and the way you store, clean, transport, and store your guns will have a direct effect on their lifespan. The way you treat your firearm could also affect your warranty, so this is not something you can take lightly. If you want to know how to look after your rifle the right way, here are some tips you can follow.
Know-How to Clean and Lubricate your Rifle
The most important part of maintaining a rifle is knowing how to clean and lubricate it properly. Ideally, you should clean your rifle every time you use it either for hunting, shooting targets, or after trips to the shooting range. If you have guns in storage that you’re not using, it’s a good idea to give them a nice clean-up every month or so.
If you want to clean your rifle properly, you will need to get yourself a good vise so you can keep it in place. This will make it easier for you to push your brass brush down the bore.
When it comes to brushes, you must pick the right brush for your gun’s caliber. If you pick one that’s too small it won’t do as good a job, and if you pick one that is too large it could get stuck in the bore, so be careful.
First, push the brush once through the bore with a little bit of solvent but no pad. This will take care of the original layer of gunk. You can then put a pad on the tip of the brush and apply the solvent. Push it in and out then replace the pad and apply more solvent. Repeat those steps until the pad comes out light gray.
The last step is lubricating the firearm. Add a pad to the tip of the brush and apply one drop of lubricant to the pad. Push it in and out once. You can then store the firearm but remember to pass a dry pad through the bore before you use the firearm again.
Get New Equipment
If you have equipment that’s getting old or is damaged, then you should consider switching it. Scopes, for instance, should ideally be replaced every three years.
Sure, you could still use a scope past that, but there’s no reason to keep using it when you could get a brand new one so cheaply. You could find a pretty nice scope designed to fit an AR-15 online for under $100 easily. So don’t be cheap or lazy and get new gear if you can afford it.
How to Store Your Rifle
One of the most important things when storing a rifle is making sure that it’s not in a humid environment. Any area where you will store it needs to have a hygrometer. The area has to be at a 50% humidity level or slightly drier. Keeping your rifle away from humidity is very important to protect it from condensation, mildew, and rust, so do not overlook this.
You might want to invest in a dehumidifier if you’re having trouble keeping the area where your rifle is stored dry. Silica gel will also absorb dampness in an enclosed area or gun safe.
Never store your gun in their cases. There needs to be a free flow of air around the rifle to prevent damage and mildew formation. If you want an additional layer of protection over your gun, maybe you should look at something like a gun sock.
These are all things you need to know if you want to keep your gun safe and in working order for a long time. The better you care for your rifle, the more you’ll enjoy using it, and the more accurate it’ll be, so do everything you can to keep it in top tip condition.
