A reader asked: How do you touch up a synthetic stock? Mine is really scratched. Shooting Times rifle reviewer and stalker, Bruce Potts, had this advice for airgun maintenance: Synthetic stocks can be practical against knocks and scratches and keeping a rifle’s zero from shifting as, unlike wooden stocks, they don’t warp in bad…
Gun maintenance
The risks of a dirty gun
A shotgun is an investment that needs to be cared for to look beautiful, but also perform to its full potential. So where do you begin? Does it need to be cleaned after every outing or just when it’s starting to look a bit ropey? What products are best and ultimately, what’s the worst that can happen if a…
How can I protect my guns in storage against rust?
Mike says: A thorough clean, followed by a wipe-down of the metal parts with a lightly-oiled cloth should be quite sufficient for guns in storage, providing your friend is going to examine your guns reasonably frequently. If the guns have chromed bores – and most modern guns have – there’s no need to leave the tubes…
Re-barrelling an old rifle
Q: I have an old Sako Forester rifle that I really like in .308 Winchester, but the barrel is now past its best. I was thinking of having it re-barrelled to the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge when I vary my firearms certificate. Is it a good round? A: The 6.5 Creedmoor…
How to clean your rifle
A rifle is a precision instrument and such things really do need to be kept clean if you expect them to work properly. But – and it’s a big BUT – I have seen as many rifles damaged by over- cleaning as ruined by lack of it. As always, there is a…
How to clean a shotgun
How to clean a shotgun, in this video Napier show you how to clean your shotgun using their products.
How to adjust trigger-pull weight
Jason Harris recently had a customer that had traded in a Beretta 682 Gold E and bought a Perazzi MX8. He thought that the new gun felt strange when in use. Basically, he said that when the top barrel was fired first, the second bottom barrel felt incredibly light. The…
How do I clean a shotgun?
Don't be heavy-handed when cleaning a dirty action, as discolouration is only skin deep
Why are there dark rings down each barrel of my gun?
My gun has developed two or three dark looking rings down each barrel and no amount of oiling or cleaning will shift them. Is this the start of rust? If not, what's caused the colouring and how can I get rid of it?
Is it safe to use rifle solvents on shotgun barrels?
Cleaning a shotgun: Is it safe to use rifle solvents on shotgun barrels to remove lead and plastic fouling? What cleaning agents do you recommend?
How long will my secondhand Browning B425 last me?
I've just bought my first gun, a secondhand Browning B425. How long will it last before I need to buy another one?
How do I dry out a shotgun? My gun got soaked!
What's the best, and quickest, way to dry out my Miroku, it's been thoroughly soaked a few times in all this rain! And how should I dry out a shotgun?
Does WD40 attack the metal on guns?
I have been told by a registered firearms dealer that I should never use WD40 on my guns because it attacks the metal. Is this true or is he pulling my leg?
Am I wasting my money on barrel cleaning patches?
A pal tells me I am wasting my money buying shotgun barrel cleaning patches, and that any scraps of old rag will do. Is he right?
Why should I store my gun muzzle-down?
I am new to shooting, and I have been advised to store my gun muzzle-down in my cabinet. What’s the purpose of this?
Clean a shotgun sound moderator
Some believe that sound moderators are better after use and that a build-up of carbon is good.
Shotgun maintenance: gunlocks
Most gunlocks are inaccessible for maintenance without specialist knowledge.
How do I clean my gun and what do I use?
I have just bought my first ever gun - a Browning B425. As part of the sale the dealer gave me a cleaning kit containing an oil bottle and a tube of grease.