End-of-Spring Cleaning
At the end of spring turkey season, it's time to unload your vest and clean your shotgun. Proper cleaning is important to the function and life of a firearm. Guns should be cleaned after every use and occasionally while in storage. Cleaning removes fouling (grime) left by the gunpowder, shot and bullets. It also protects your firearm from rust.
With the help of an adult, make sure the firearm is completely unloaded and remove the ammunition from the room. Insert a cleaning patch into a patch holder, called a jag, and dip it in a powder/copper solvent, such as Hoppes No. 9. Screw the patch holder into the cleaning rod and run the patch through the barrel from the breach out. Pump and semi-automatic shotguns will require that you remove the barrel from the receiver before cleaning.
After swabbing the barrel with solvent, run dry, clean patches through the barrel to remove the fouling. Repeat with new patches until they come out of the barrel clean. Using an old toothbrush or special gun-cleaning brush and solvent, scrub the bolt and receiver housing.
Disassembling the action allows you to better clean your gun. Have a parent do this for you. After scrubbing, wipe all of the pieces clean with a soft cloth or patches. Cover all parts with a thin coating of gun oil before reassembling. Using a cloth with a little oil, wipe down the exterior metal parts of your gun to remove fingerprints, which contain salt and can make your gun rust.
Proper cleaning takes time, but is well worth the investment. Maintained, your firearm will give you years of faithful service.
