Cleaning an O/U - Newbie

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roche1982

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hey guys. Relatively new to shooting, have shot many shotguns in the past but only got my PAL this year after many years of not shooting. I have a few questions. Just purchased my first Shotgun, an O/U... what should I be doing/cleaning when taking it out of the box. Do I need to take the stock off and clean in there. I have read about how some spots need grease and some spots oil. I have read posts about saying not to put to much oil on or it could run into the stock and make the wood soft? Just looking for some pointers, where to clean, where to grease, where to oil. I also picked up some Renaissance Wax for the barrels and metal. My question on that is will it change the appearance of the stock?


Any pointers would be appreciated

Cheers
 
A little goes a long way. Clean the bores as you normally would. Introduce very little oil if any into the action itself, it generally is fine as is and very little dirt finds its way into the action. The hinge pin, the locking lugs and the foreend iron are the really critical items. A small amount of oil or light grease is all that is required. It is less important what you use than that you clean and re-lube these areas frequently. Myself, I use a little grease on the hinge pin and the locking lugs. Any kind of grease, but just a dab is all.

You should be able to see very easily where metal is sliding against metal. A drop of oil is all that's needed.
 
That's a fine first gun you bought and I agree with Grouse Man's advice. I would add that in most cases, it takes decades for oil to seep into the head and soften the wood. Not that you shouldn't be careful but the problem is typically confronted when buying much older guns. Mine are mostly pre WWII and those from back then often have the problem. Also, while I don't use Rennaisance Wax I do use Conservators Wax from Lee Valley. It's a microcrystalline wax like Rennaisance but for about half the money. I use it on the metal and the wood. It changes the appearance of the stock....makes the wood look better! Lol! A deep luster and added depth that enhances the beauty of the wood. Does not change the colour.

Edit: Forgot to say, to eliminate the oil soaked wood possibility, store guns muzzle down. I changed the racking in my safe so muzzle down is the way they fit in.
 
I've been using Conservators Wax and thanks for reminding me that my doubles are overdue for some.

X2 on the above-noted lubrication advice and on storing muzzle down.

Compared to other shotguns, doubles are wonderfully convenient to take down and clean.
 
Presumably the bores are chromed.... Use a stiff artists paint brush to apply grease to the hinge, locking lug, and ejector pins. light oil on any remaining sliding surfaces. Redo once a year.
 
Thanks guys, this is really good advice. I wouldn't have thought about storing them muzzle down. I currently love how the wood looks, and the manual says to use line seed oil, I guess if I put the wax on I wouldn't be able to oil over the wax, correct? And how much wax do you put on the metal (assuming the barrel and outside part of the receiver? And yes the barrels are chrome lined.

Thanks guys
 
Paste wax the whole works. Usually I wipe it on, let it dry slightly, then buff it out. On real steel/wood firearm, you can wax the whole thing.

I use Militec-1 grease on the points listed above... as noted, apply anywhere where there is metal on metal when opening/closing the action.
 
Clean and lightly lube the barrel/choke tube threads. Suggest use a pair of snap caps for the purpose of dryfire.

As an afterthought, you may have noted the top lever on the shotgun (with closed breech) is positioned far to the right which is how it should be in the case of a new double gun. It's perfectly nornal. Please do not attempt to manually force that lever towards the centre. :) That process will occur gradually/automatically overtime as you continue to use the firearm. I've observed gunshop sales guys on multiple occasions try to force the top lever on brand new guns thinking that the centre is the default location for that top lever.
 
Roche, that is correct about not using the linseed over the wax. If you use the wax consistently over time, unlikely you will ever need to do anything else to the wood.
 
On YouTube there is a great episode on cleaning over unders if you search power factor show. They talk at length about cleaning over under shotguns.
 
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