Protect the next heirloom 

My attitude towards gun cleaning has altered over the years. Where once my parents footed the bill for a service of my 12-bore AYA, that responsibility has now sat squarely on my shoulders for the past decade or so. Although I should always have shown my gun the appropriate TLC, the cost for the replacement of a rusty firing pin seven or eight years ago truly brought the importance of guncare home to roost, and I have subsequently made the necessary changes to my post-shoot routine. 

While on the go, I also used to house my gun in a moth-eaten gunslip that was a little too small, featured perishing leather trimmings and looked like it had been made from canvas stolen from a battered Bedouin tent. A few years ago my gang of friends began turning 30, and the shooters clubbed together to get each other what in most cases was their first non-inherited slip. I received a lovely leather slip with my initials on it and a fleecy lining. This not only meant a lot, but my gun is now far better cared for both during and after a day in the rain and mud. 

Looking after your gun is not only important from a cost perspective, it is also crucial from a safety perspective. In some cases you may even be lucky enough to shoot with a piece that has a bit of history. By showing these guns the appropriate attention, you could be safeguarding something that might turn into, or is already, an heirloom for future generations. 

Refreshing 

Although there are always going to be slight differences of opinion, the big players in the gun-cleaning world have got firearm maintenance down to an art. Ben Mcilwaine, business development manager at Edgar Brothers, has a refreshingly practical approach to keeping your guns clean, safe and operating accurately. He says: “Something is better than nothing – try to keep your regime as easy as possible; if it’s too complicated or difficult you may be tempted just not to do it. Thorough is good, but make life easy for yourself.” 

This strikes a chord with me because although my attitude to the process has evolved, even now I don’t appreciate an overly languid approach to the task. 

Ben continues: “Manufacturers have realised how valuable portability and ease of cleaning is to the shooter. There are some really awesome kits such as the Breakthrough compact pull-through cleaning kit, with which you can have your rifle cleaned before leaving the range.” 

Ali Bottom, director of group marketing at the Witham Group, explains that perhaps the most important thing is protection: “Lubricating with the correct products will offer effective protection from the major issue of oxidisation, or rust of the internal barrel and other types of degradation of exterior gun components directly impacting its precision, functionality and the value of the asset.” 

I have perhaps not concentrated on the volume of oil I have been dispensing and have maybe even grabbed a tin of WD-40. Ali says this is a major mistake: “Using the correct amount of specifically designed products is crucial, as general lubricators and cleaners can be incredibly harmful to the delicate mechanisms of the gun as well as its wooden or plastic stocks.” 

Biodegradable 

The Witham Group has been manufacturing lubricants for more than 100 years, so the provenance of this advice seems sound. It has used this heritage of expertise to push the sector on and, uniquely, its guncare range includes a light-viscosity, mineral-based gun oil as well as an award-winning, environmentally safe, biodegradable option. Witham’s Biodegradable Gun Oil is made using lanolin, the same wax secreted by sheep to waterproof their wool. 

The benefit of this lanolin-based product is that it can also be used to protect a wooden stock as well as the metal components. Ali adds: “This biodegradable option is available for gun users who want the high performance of traditional gun oil but with less user and environmental impact.” 

Paul Sim, sales manager at Napier of London, also emphasises the importance of function-specific lubricating products and acknowledges that “a growing awareness of the environmental impact of guncare products has led consumers to seek more eco-friendly options that do not compromise performance”. 

He also explained that “the health risks associated with exposure to traditional guncare chemicals have become a more prominent concern, leading to a demand for safer, non-toxic alternatives”. Napier offers a detailed, step-by-step guide tailored to cleaning and maintaining every type of firearm, which includes instructional videos on cleaning a shotgun or rifle. 

Maintaining your gun starts as soon as you remove it from your cabinet in the morning. Ashley Shaw, director of Fine Shooting Supplies (FSA), says: “Personally, I enjoy taking the time to perform a thorough clean of all my gear at the end of a day. It’s a time to sit quietly and reflect.” 

He believes that investing in guncare is multifaceted: from the functional to the indulgent. As such, FSA provides a glorious guncare kit made from exotic woods and buffalo horn, with exquisite brass and silver metalwork. It believes that not only should its kit function better than the basic equipment, but it should also be something people are proud to hand down to the next generation. 

When I have used and cleaned my gun, I lock it away and am unlikely to think about it until the next time it is called to action – but I could be missing a trick. Paul Sim explains: “Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule is crucial for the longevity and reliability of your firearm. Even if not used frequently, regular cleaning prevents the accumulation of residues and potential corrosion, ensuring your firearm remains in optimal condition.” 

Napier now offers an extraordinary product that is perfect for keeping your guns in splendid order over the close season. The VP90 corrosion-inhibiting sachet is the only example of a rust preventative that is not just a desiccant, meaning it is the only product designed to protect metal components without drying out wood. Pop one of these in your gun cabinet following a dank February day below the high tide mark and on 12 August your shotguns will emerge refreshed, with the walnut stocks uncracked and in fine fettle. 

Utilising a few of these gems of wisdom from the experts should keep your firearms in terrific working form, while allowing you to invest in products that exemplify British craftsmanship and innovation.