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.
Double shotguns in the rain
- Thread starter Big Bad
- Start date
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.
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.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
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.
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
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.
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.
Here’s another vote for paste wax.
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.
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
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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.
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.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
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.
Sure, but it's the inner workings I would actually worry about. And yes, that's why sidelocks are nice.
I own raincoats.
