HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

STEP 1: Clear a safe area and remove any ammunition that’s nearby.

STEP 2: Never clean a firearm while doing something else, like flipping burgers or watching TV—this job deserves your full attention.

STEP 3: Clean it from the breech up toward the muzzle. Always avoid cleaning it from the muzzle end but if you must, lock the breech open to allow the cleaning rod to pass completely through the barrel.

STEP 4: Soak a cloth patch with your cleaning solvent and place it on the end of the cleaning rod that will be entering the muzzle.

STEP 5: Insert a clean cloth into the open action to prevent any residue or dirt from entering it.

STEP 6: Insert the cleaning rod and pass it all the way through the barrel. Avoid rubbing the cleaning rod against the inside of the muzzle to prevent scratching it.

STEP 7: Repeat the process a few times using fresh cloth patches to remove the cleaning solvent. Use a larger cleaning brush for the chamber, if needed.

STEP 8: Once clean, run a lightly oiled patch through the barrel to lube it up. This is a matter of preference—some hunters actually prefer to finish the job with a dry patch. 

STEP 9: Wipe down the rest of the firearm with a clean cloth.

Firearm Repairs

Always have a pro repair your firearms. You may have a few of the necessary repair tools sitting in your garage, but don’t forget that your firearm is a precision instrument. So, when it comes to expensive, highly technical gear, like your firearm, even minor repairs should be dealt with by professionals. I mean, would you try to disassemble a laptop? Tune a piano? Didn’t think so.