What oils do you find best for storing a shotgun?
November 13th, 2009 by eranio
I have a shotgun that is more of a collector than a shooter. It has been in my family for years. It wasn’t kept well and I just finished cleaning it out. It will probably be one of those shoot once a year guns mostly for family gatherings. Any advise?
Posted in best shotgun
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I’m not one of those fancy foo-foo type people who use expensive name brand oil. Its sad really. I have seen people pay $20 or $30 bucks for synthetic super lubes and such…..
I use REM-OIL. They sell it at Wal-Mart for under $5. Its made by the Remington Firearms company and its the factory recommended oil for their firearms.
I kinda figure this….. "They make the gun. They ought to know what oil to use."
Miketyson26
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
cosmoline
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Stick with the classic Hoppes # 9. Great stuff. If its not a wall hanger keep it in a silicone sock to prevent rust.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I use Break Free CLP in my semi auto’s (shotguns and rifles) and as far as single, pumps and lever action I use either Rem oil or Hopps 9.
* as the previous post said, a silicone sock works great, especially if you live in a high humidity environment like me!
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
militec
their website is http://www.militec.com/. if you send them an e-mail they will send you a free sample.
cosmoline is the best for long term storage but can be a REAL pain to clean off for that once a year shooting you may do. if you have ever purchased a crated SKS you probably know what I mean.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Go over all the metal with Hopps #9. be careful not to get it on the wood. Then just drip some down the barrel ever couple months and you should be good.
Dont use Cosmoline. When you want to bring it out of storage you will be cleaning it for weeks!
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Militec-1.
Call militec and ask to talk to a tech about the lubricant not the grease. They’ll explain how to coat and lightly heat the metals to get the militiec to condition it.
I leave a very , very light coat on the guns that’ll be sitting a while and put the gun in a silicone impregnated gun sock.
And, depending on humidity you may want to keep a open can of damp rid in the storage area.
Congrats on your new heirloom.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
For long term storage, I used to use a gun grease. I would put a light coat all over the metal surfaces. I used a coat of floor wax on the stock. I would just rub it on, let it dry and polish it before storing the gun. I have since found that putting a coat of a microcrystalline wax such a Renaissance Wax on all of the wood and metal surfaces is better and less messy. Renaissance Wax is available in fine furniture stores or can be ordered online from some of the gun and sporting goods companies. It comes in a small white jar and seems rather pricy for the amount that you get but it only takes a small coat of the stuff to do the job. One jar will last you a lifetime. Museums use it on their displays such as swords, guns and armor to protect them. It’s good stuff.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I’ve found that Rem-oil stays on the gun longer. I still like the practice of wiping them down every couple of months to keep dust off and be SURE it is fully protected. Another point to keep in mind: Don’t store your guns in cases as the case tends to retain moisture from the air and promote rust. Silicone sock if you must.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Break Free CLP. — We took 3 H&K steel rifle magazines, put WD40 on one, nothing on #2 and Break Free on #3 and put them outside to see how fast they would rust. Over night the one with nothing started showing surface rust from humidity. After the first week, the one with WD40 showed rust. After 4 weeks and 2 heavy rains, Break Free still looked new.