Double shotguns in the rain

Big Bad

Big Bad

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
In Little Syria.
I'm a bit of an all weather guy so I'm wondering about how other owners feel about taking their better grade doubles out hunting in the rain, or how they would feel about it even if they don't engage in such nonsense.


norm_scarlett_111228.jpg
 
Thats why they make oil and rags. I use all my doubles hunting even from a kayak in less than ideal weather. I take them apart after and dry them out and reapply oil. With proper care and maintenance theyll still last a life time or two when used in bad weather
 
While I don't have any super fancy double guns, heres my take on it: They were bought to shoot, not to collect dust in the locker. As brybenn said, oil and rags will keep them from rusting.

That said, if I had a nice gun, I would probably have a not-so-nice gun to go with it for those particularly ugly days. Less than ideal weather is one thing, but I'm on the west coast where it gets downright ugly for days at a time during the fall/winter, and for those days I would rather take something that is less valuable just in case.
 
The British isles are the heart of double gun country, and it's pretty wet there. A fine double gun will last a century or more if taken care of, even when used in the rain. I dry my guns with a rag as soon as practical, use good quality stock oil on the wood, gun oil on the steel, and always do the maintenance as soon as I arrive indoors for the evening. Never had rust or wood finish issues yet. I own and use some stainless / synthetic firearms, but they are reserved for those conditions when maintenance isn't possible.
 
Rain is a passing thing on the Prairie. I don't head out in a pouring rain with a fine gun, but I have been lured out by sucker rain many times, thinking it will pass.
A wet gun gets a thorough cleaning and oiling as soon as we are done.
 
I got rained on today while out with a nice quality British gun. Not a big deal as stated already.
I don't like to get sweat on my guns as mine seems particularly corrosive. So I tend to wear gloves. Also would not touch a fine gun if I had DEET on my hands.
 
Apply oil on the metal and let it dry. Then take paste wax and apply it to the wood and metal and buff it. Water beads up and rolls off the gun. You can reapply each time before you go out hunting.
 
I take my 686 out in ugly weather but it's only a 2500 dollar gun...if I had a 10k gun I'm not sure if I would.
 
Big Bad said:
I'm a bit of an all weather guy so I'm wondering about how other owners feel about taking their better grade doubles out hunting in the rain, or how they would feel about it even if they don't engage in such nonsense.


norm_scarlett_111228.jpg
Click to expand...

If you wanna run with the big dogs you gotta get off the porch.
Get out it, clean it after and savour and enjoy the time outdoors.
Rob
 
Last edited:
Guns are made to be used, the finer the gun, the greater the enjoyment. I use all my guns, even the most valuable and tailor the usage to the type of hunt, not the weather. As mentioned, some of the finest, most valuable guns in the world get used regularly and frequently in Britain's foul climate. The normal thing to do there is to return your gun to the maker or a trusted gunsmith at the end of the season where it will be stripped, cleaned, polished, lubricated,adjusted and any repairs or parts replacement attended to. This has kept many 100-130 year old guns working and looking great. This also was why detachable locks as found on best guns by Westley Richards, Purdey, Holland and Holland and Lang became popular, to allow drying and lubrication at the end of a wet day.
Personally after a rare wet day ( I live in the desert now) I dry my gun with paper towel or rags before heading home, then at home it gets a thorough deep cleaning and relubrication. I find a hair drier ( don't tell my wife) very handy for warming and drying metal parts. Reexamination in 2-3 days. Been doing this for over 60 years while living in various Canadian climates, never had a prooblem.
 
Any gun I buy to hunt with goes out regardless of weather, they all get dryed and oiled after the day is over and I don’t have rust issues. Even my 870 express doesn’t rust and everyone swears they rust if you look at them wrong.
 
mosinmaster said:
Apply oil on the metal and let it dry. Then take paste wax and apply it to the wood and metal and buff it. Water beads up and rolls off the gun. You can reapply each time before you go out hunting.
Click to expand...

Sure, but it's the inner workings I would actually worry about. And yes, that's why sidelocks are nice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom