Shotguns need to be cleaned like any other tool or item that you use frequently. Some gun owners just don’t realize that every time they fire their shotgun, it leaves a little bit of residue inside the barrel, action, and chamber of the gun. This residue is actually made up of tiny particles called “fouling” which come from the shells that you’ve fired. The fouling particles are generated from the used birdshot, buckshot, slugs, wad, and gunpowder. Each time you fire a shell, a little bit of this residue is left behind inside the shotgun. If you don’t clean up the residue on a regular basis, it will build up over time and eventually impair the functionality of the weapon. In addition, excessive sweat and moisture build up in the shotgun could cause the weapon’s metal parts to become corroded. Once this happens, these parts of the gun will become rusty and cause your gun to malfunction.

There are four types of fouling you’ll commonly find inside a used shotgun; carbon, copper, lead, and plastic. Carbon comes from the burnt gunpowder which is used to propel the ammunition out of the chamber and through the barrel. You don’t usually see the carbon particles, but they spread inside the chamber and even get on the shooter’s hands. Copper particles may be there after you shoot if the slugs are jacketed with copper (sabot slugs). As for the projectiles inside of the shotshells, they are all typically made out of lead material. This means when you fire the shotshells in your shotgun, lead residue from the projectiles will get left in your barrel after you fire them. And finally, the plastic from the wads of the shells will create plastic residue that gets left behind as well.

When searching for the best shotgun cleaning kit, there are three cleaning kits in particular that you should pay attention to because they are affordable and highly regarding amongst gun enthusiasts. They are the Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit, the Tetra ValuPro III Shotgun Cleaning, and Hoppe’s No. 9 Cleaning Kit. All three of these cleaning kits can be purchased online and shipped right to your doorstep. Some of these cleaning kits cater to specific shotgun brands and calibers while others are more versatile and can be used to clean multiple types of shotguns. But no matter which one you choose, it will certainly be worth the investment in order to sustain the life expectancy and functionality of your shotguns.

Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Got this kit as prize on one of the shotgun competitions. The most compact shotgun cleaning kit in this review.

The Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit contains a collection of all the essential tools and accessories that are necessary for cleaning a Beretta or any other shotgun. The kit includes a cleaning rod handle with aluminum rods, a wool mop with yellow cotton patches, bronze brushes, lubricant oil, and a utility nylon brush. With these tools, you can clean any 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun with them.

The kit was manufactured by Beretta which is the same company that manufactures the Beretta shotguns. Therefore, this is very good cleaning kit that you can trust to clean a Beretta shotgun. Of course, if you have a different brand of shotgun other than a Beretta, you can still use the Beretta Cleaning Kit to clean the shotgun just as long as it’s either a 12-gauge or 20-gauge firearm. Since most people own a shotgun with one of these two gauges, then it shouldn’t be a problem for you. In fact, you could use the cleaning kit to clean multiple shotguns that you own as well.

Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit

If you are interested in purchasing the Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit, it is available at most sporting good retail stores. This includes offline brick-and-mortar stores and online e-commerce websites. The Beretta website has a product listing page for their Beretta Shotgun Cleaning Kit, but it is currently out of stock on their store. That is okay because they charge $28 for their kit anyways whereas Amazon’s product page has it listed for only $22.77. Plus, the cleaning kit is currently in stock on the Amazon product page.

Therefore, you’ll get it cheaper through Amazon and it will be available to ship as soon as you purchase it. That way, you won’t have to wait weeks for a back order of the cleaning kit to get shipped to your address. Instead, it will get shipped right away without any delay. And if you spend over $49 on Amazon when you purchase the cleaning kit, you can get free shipping for it too.

Once you get the cleaning kit, you’ll be able to preserve the functionality of your shotgun and ensure that it functions reliably and smoothly the next time you shoot at a target. Best of all, you can increase the lifespan of the shotgun without having to worry about purchasing a new one for hundreds of dollars when it stops working like it used to.

Tetra Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Bought this kit on one of the shotgun competitions when I found out that I have forgotten my shotgun cleaning kit at home. It is very good kit but box is pretty big.

Tetra is a company that specializes in manufacturing and selling cleaning products. There three main types of cleaning products are for bikes, boats, and guns. The Tetra ValuPro III Shotgun Cleaning Kit is just one of their cleaning products that are designed to clean shotguns. This particular kit contains Tetra Gun Grease, a silhouette pistol extension, a cleaning rod, a patch bolder, cotton patches, and a bronze brush.

The great thing about the Tetra ValuPro III Shotgun Cleaning Kit is that it gives you a versatile and high-quality solution for cleaning just about any type of shotgun out there. It doesn’t even matter what the gauge or caliber of your shotgun is either because the Tetra ValuPro III Shotgun Cleaning Kit is available for virtually any gauge or caliber. So, if you have multiple shotgun types that need cleaning, you will surely find any number of Tetra cleaning kits that are made specifically to clean them.

Tetra Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Tetra Shotgun Cleaning Kit

The investment you make into a cleaning kit will be an investment in preserving the lifespan of your shotgun. With all the residue and debris buildup that occurs each time you shoot your shotgun, you cannot afford to just neglect the cleaning of your shotgun any longer. Furthermore, the Tetra ValuPro III will also lubricate the metal components of your shotgun to ensure they function smoothly and without any delay. This will help increase your shooting experience, timing, and the overall reliability you would expect from using your weapon.

The cost of a Tetra ValuPro III Shotgun Cleaning Kit averages about $19.99. For that, you get both the cleaning tools and a reusable compact storage case to keep them all secured in. When you go to the Amazon product page for the cleaning kit, you will be given the chance to selection which gauge you want the cleaning kit to be compatible with. Right now, they have 28 gauge, 20 gauge, and 410 gauge available. The 20 gauge is priced at $11.73, the 28 gauge is priced at $12.77, and the 410 gauge is priced at $22.80. Tetra does make cleaning kits for the 12 gauge, which you probably know is the most popular shotgun gauge that is used. So, keep checking back on Amazon to see when the inventory for the 12-gauge cleaning kit is available again. You can also find them available on Tetra’s online store as well.

Hoppe’s No. 9 Shotgun Cleaning Kit

This kit was recommended to me by a friend. Good kit for those who just bought a shotgun.

Hoppe’s 9 is a gun cleaning product brand that you should look out for the next time you want to clean your 12-gauge shotgun. The Hoppe’s No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod with included spiral brush is the preferred cleaner of shotgun owners because it cleans all the crucial areas of the gun thoroughly. This cleaning kit includes a gun bore cleanser, an aluminum rod with patches, a lubricating oil and cleaning solvent. There is even a brush included which is designed for cleaning a 12-gauge. So, if you own any type of 12-gauge shotgun, this cleaning product will be compatible with it. Do not worry about the brand of your shotgun because that does not matter as long as it’s a 12-gauge shotgun. If you need a cleaning product for another gauge, Hoppe’s has cleaning products available for those too.

Hoppe's No. 9 Shotgun Cleaning Kit

Hoppe’s No. 9 Shotgun Cleaning Kit

The Hoppe’s No. 9 Cleaning Kit was designed specifically for both competitive shooters and hunters because they use their shotguns frequently and this causes residue to build up inside of it. Nasty residue like metal-fouling, lead, rust, and gunpowder are things that will build up over time unless you clean your shotgun frequently. With the Hoppe’s 9 Cleaning Kit, it will remove all these particles out of your gun so that it can function the right way. The high-viscosity oil included in the kit is perfect for cleaning because it doesn’t expire or harden like some other cleaning oils do. Not only does this give the kit a long shelf life, but it keeps your shotgun clean for longer periods of time as well. Instructions are inside the kit which walks you through the steps of how to apply the oil onto the shotgun and brush it properly.

When you go to the product page on Amazon.com, two things you’ll notice right off the bat are its great reviews and affordable price. At only $9.90, you can’t find a quality gun cleaning product for a better price than this. This is perfect for those who must clean their shotgun often because they shoot it often. If you are too cheap to make this kind of investment, think about the investment you’d have to make if you let your shotgun get too dirty. It could end up misfiring or malfunctioning in some way that will damage the parts or components of the weapon. Then you’d have to spend hundreds of dollars replacing those damaged areas. In some cases, you would have to purchase an entirely new shotgun altogether.

Experienced shooters realize that a dirty weapon can and will let them down. Your shotgun needs maintenance to keep it accurate and dependable. Regardless of the bluing or plating, the metal parts on a shotgun will rust from neglect. Moisture is everywhere, and unprotected metal will rust. Your shotgun case is also important in preventing rust. You can put gun oil your weapon and put it in a cloth or nylon case and in a matter of days; the oil has wicked into the material of the gun case leaving your weapon unprotected. It is recommended you use a hard-shelled case with quality foam protection.

First, ensure the weapon is cleared, in other words it is unloaded. Then read your manual carefully on the proper way to dismantle your weapon.

Cleaning Kit

Cleaning kits essentially perform all the same functions and in many cases, the kit is based on personal preference. All kits should contain the proper tools and materials for your weapon. The cleaning rod must be long enough to clean the entire inside of the barrel. Your kit should contain a bore brush, patches; bore solvent, toothbrush and gun oil for rust prevention and lubrication. Some like to have steel wool on hand to help remove rust. Use quality cloth to apply oil to exterior metal parts. You do not want to use paper towel or cloth that leaves lint or threads behind.

The bore solvent is to loosen fouling in the barrel and from the receiver. Patches are for cleaning and applying solvent and oil. The bore brush is stiff wire usually made of brass for essentially scrubbing the barrel. You would not typically use the bore brush on any metal other than the inside of the barrel. The wire bore brush can damage the bluing or other plating on the exterior metal parts of your weapon. Remove surface rust promptly using fine steel wool or even scrubbing with cheesecloth and oil.

If you had cleaned your weapon previously and have not fired it since the last cleaning you can check for rust in the barrel using your rod and a clean dry patch. Run the patch through the barrel and check for rust colored residue on the patch. If there is evidence of rust, run a small piece of steel wool down the barrel or use the bore brush to remove it. Swab the barrel several times with a clean patch, then oil a clean patch and run it down the barrel.

To clean the barrel of fouling use a patch dipped in the bore solvent and let the excess drip back into the container before pushing it down the barrel. Let the solvent work for several minutes before using the bore brush. You may have to run the bore brush through five or six times, depending on how much residue has built up. You may not have cleaned your weapon after the last shooting so of course the weapon will require more effort to clean it. Swab after running the bore brush through the barrel several times to see how much residue remains. Inspect the barrel for shine, and if you do not see any dull spots, you can now oil the inside of the barrel.

Once the barrel and receiver is cleaned, you can oil the exterior metal components. You do not want oil dripping from any parts after oiling so always apply oil using an absorbent cloth. You want a protective sheen and not have oil pooling. Inspect the weapon periodically if you store it for long periods between shootings. Excessive oiling without firing the weapon will gum up the works so to speak. Oil will collect dust over time and this must be removed. Reapply fresh oil after touching up.

Use the solvent and a toothbrush to clean the weapons receiver. Making sure to oil the receiver, after swabbing up the solvent with clean patches and be careful that you do not leave any brush bristles behind. Build up on the receiver can cause a malfunction.

Follow the manufactures recommendations to clean and protect your wooden stock. Otherwise, you can treat it like any fine wood, using quality wood cleaners and preservatives. Do not use gun oil or gun solvent on a wooden stock. The solvent will remove any wood preservatives and protective coatings, causing the wood to dry out, shrink and crack.

Hoppe’s Boresnake for Shotguns

Shotgun ownership requires you to perform maintenance and cleaning on your weapon every so often. If you use your shotgun frequently then a lot of lead particles and residue are going to build up inside the barrel. If you don’t clean these residue particles out then it could affect the overall functionality of the weapon. So you need to periodically take it upon yourself to clean the bore in order to preserve the life of your weapon.

Hoppe's Boresnake for Shotguns

What is Shotgun BORESNAKE?

One of the ways to thoroughly clean the inside of the barrel is to use a BoreSnake. This particular gun cleaning product is manufactured by a company that specializes in gun cleaning named “Hoppe’s” Their BoreSnake product is a super fast bore cleaner that only requires you to pass the “snake” through the bore several times to clean it. You could literally loosen the large residue particles inside of the bore pulling it just 5 time. To use the BoreSnake, you first have to make sure that all of the shotgun’s ammunition is emptied from the chamber and the magazine tube. Then you stick the BoreSnake into the empty chamber and let the smaller end slide right out of the barrel. After that, just pull on the cord and watch the fatter end of the BoreSnake make its way through the bore. Hoppe’s boresnake has built in phosphor bronze brush and braided floss scrub to clean and oil the bore.

Hoppe's Boresnake for Shotguns

The are also versions for pistols and rifles as well. The snake itself is made out of woven cotton floss which makes it very easy to attract particles to it. The BoreSnake has a cleaning area that is 160 times greater than a standard cleaning patch. Each BoreSnake is manufactured for a specific bore size. This ensures the BoreSnake will fit the bore of your shotgun and give it the best cleaning possible. And since it is made of cotton, the cord can be washed and then reused again and again. The price of the BoreSnake varies depending on the gauge size it is being used on. But you should expect to pay between $10 and $50 in most cases.

It is very handy when you need to clean your shotgun but doesn’t have time or tools to disassemble your shotgun. You can do it almost anywhere.

I tried doing it on the shooting range after training and the end result was be a bore that shines and looks newer than ever.

Hoppe's Boresnake Get “Hoppe's Boresnake on Brownells

O-Ring Shotgun Cleaning Jag Review

Shotgun cleaning jag is a small and inexpensive tool which can be very handy. It makes barrel and magazine tube cleaning more comfortable. You don’t need to waste several patches to have enough pressure to clean the barrel. You can use just one patch and the cleaning jag.

Shotgun Cleaning Jag Review

Shotgun Cleaning Jag Review

I use shotgun cleaning jag together with a cotton patch to clean the barrel after tornado brush or bronze brush.

Now I need less patches to clean the barrels and magazine tubes/extensions of my shotguns. Shotgun Cleaning Jag cannot replace regular brushes but it is very handy too which will help to clean your shotgun.

Shotgun Cleaning Jag Review

Shotgun Cleaning Jag Review

It is also recommended for rifled shotgun barrels but I have only smoothbore ones.

Nice inexpensive tool which I find very useful.

Shotgun Cleaning Jag

Shotgun Cleaning Jag

Get Shotgun Cleaning Jag on Brownells

Bore Tech – Shotgun Jags

I really like Bore Tech Shotgun Blend and decided to try another product by Bore Tech – Shotgun Jag

Bore Tech - Shotgun Jags

Bore Tech – Shotgun Jags

Bore Tech shotgun jag is very handy to reach inside the shotgun barrel and clean all the debris and residue out of it. I use solvent and brush to scrub the barrel and then I use jag to clean the everything out. You can attach any patch or cloth you have to it.

These patch jags have solid nylon tips with flexible fingers around them. All you have to do is push the jag into the barrel so that the fingers rub against the interior walls of it. The more you push the jag into the barrel, the better its cleaning performance will be. The only additional accessory you’ll need is a cleaning rod for shotguns. The jag attaches to the end of the cleaning rod and then you stick the rod into the barrel with the jag end going in first. It doesn’t get any easier than that

You can purchase Bore Tech Shotgun Jags for 12-gauge shotguns or 20-gauge shotguns. The brand and model of the shotgun do not really matter when using these jags. You just have to make sure you’re using a jag that is compatible with the caliber of your weapon. Each jag for the 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun is $7.49.

Another product with similar feautures: O-Ring Shotgun Cleaning Jag

Recommended Product:
Bore Tech - Shotgun Jags Get Bore Tech – Shotgun Jags on Brownells

Brownells Heavy Weight Nylon Bore Brush and Standard Line Bronze Bore Brushes

Most shooters find the need to use bore brushes in other areas on their weapon and do at times use steel brushes and then find they have scratched the finish. With the tough nylon bristles you can rest assured that you would not scratch the finish, when used for other odd cleaning jobs on your weapon.

However, the nylon bristles are tough enough to clean even the toughest fouling deposits and yet will not wear down the barrel’s rifling. With a smooth bore, of course, you do not have this worry but several models of shotguns allow you to switch out barrels rather easily from smooth bore to a rifled barrel and you will need the proper cleaning tools available.

Standard Line Bronze Bore Brushes

Standard Line Bronze Bore Brushes

Some users are concerned about the nylon bristles not being tough enough for embedded fouling. If you use a quality solvent and allow it to soak long enough to soften the fouling the nylon brushes will work. Even with bronze or stainless steel brushed you need to let the solvent do all of the heavy lifting. Allow the solvent to soak. Wearing your rifling down using a wire brush is not the answer to tough deposits. Following the directions on the back of the solvent will ensure you get the job done with minimal effort. In some cases if the fouling is heavy, you may have to allow the solvent to work for several hours or even overnight. This is another reason for proper weapons maintenance. Allowing a weapon to get to the point where it is more than a simple chore to clean is one that is probably not well cared for in other areas as well.

Bronze is softer than your barrel material but stainless steel is another matter and can wear your rifling down over time, so once again the proper use of solvent and a little patience will make the job considerably easier and less destructive to your barrel.

More information: Brownells Bronze Bore Brush

Always use a wet brush even though you have used patches soaked in solvent, because friction is a problem with dry brushes and will increase your cleaning time.

Clean your brushes after each use particularly the nylon ones. Even though the nylon is designed to withstand the solvent, allowing solvent to remain on the bristles for an extended period is not ideal.

Recommended Product:
Nylon Bore Brush for Shotguns

Nylon Bore Brush for Shotguns

Nylon Bore Brush for Shotguns

Cleaning Shotgun with Hoppes Tornado Brush

Shotgun cleaning and maintenance are very important. I like cleaning my firearms and always do this very thoroughly. There are many types of bore brushes: standard nylon or bronze brushes. But if your barrel is really dirty or you can see lead or plastic wad residue on the walls of the barrel, then you probably need tornado brush.

Hoppes Tornado Brush

Hoppes Tornado Brush

Tornado brush type is my favorite one. It makes cleaning very fast and simple. I use it to clean my shotguns and results are always great. It cleans out all plastic, powder and lead residue which can be found inside of the barrel.

Standard bronze brushes for shotguns are good too but they don’t give such fast and guaranteed results as tornado brushes.

Hoppes Tornado Brush is inexpensive and high-quality product, I really like it. It is going to withstand a hard use and has long lifetime. Recommended.

Recommended product:
Hoppes Tornado Brush for Shotgun

Hoppes Tornado Brush for Shotgun

Get Hoppes Tornado Brush on Brownells

Remington 870 Rem Oil Wipes

Remington 870 Rem Oil Wipes

Remington 870 Rem Oil Wipes

Synchronizor shared useful information about Remington 870 Rem Oil Wipes on Remington 870 Forum:

“You’re likely getting condensation on your gun because of a temperature difference. A hard case might help (not to mention protect the gun better), but if you want to deal with the real problem, you should try wiping the gun down with oil as soon as you bring it in from the cold, and before you store it for an extended period of time. This’ll displace moisture and create a barrier to protect the finish. I like to use Remington Rem Oil Wipes for this. They’re cheap (the Wal-Mart here has them in a 12-pack for less than $5), really easy to find, and convenient to keep on hand in a range bag, hunting pack, or even a pocket.”

Remington Rem Oil Wipes are available in different packs.

Best Shotgun Oils for Cleaning and Lubrication

There are a lot of gun oils and lubes available on the market. And each year we see new brands and new formulas. Every shotgun owner should have a high-quality shotgun oil for cleaning and lubricating their weapon with. If you want to keep your shotgun working as smoothly and efficiently as possible, then you will want a gun oil that can clean and lubricate your shotgun thoroughly. After all, there are many internal components of a shotgun that grind against each other as they move. If you don’t lubricate these moving parts on a regular basis, all that friction is going to cause these parts to become worn out. Once that happens, the functionality of your shotgun will become affected. Overall, the reliability of your weapon will all become affected. That is why anyone who shoots their shotgun a lot should start cleaning and lubricating their weapon with gun oil.

Now there are some people who may not use their shotgun very often. Perhaps you just kept your shotgun stored away somewhere in a gun cabinet or closet. Well, you’ll still need to clean your shotgun because dust and moisture tend to build up inside of an unused shotgun over a long period of time. You can always store the shotgun in a dry secured location but you’ll still have to use gun oil to clean and lubricate it if the weapon has been there too long. That way, you have no surprises when you finally use your shotgun again.

Choosing the right gun oil will ensure that all debris is out of your weapon and that it will be able to fire properly when you pull the trigger. You don’t want to end up with a problem because of a jam inside the mechanisms due to excessive dirt and debris built up in there. If this happens enough times, the shotgun may stop functioning forever and then you’ll have to either purchase replacement parts for the weapon or go out and purchase an entirely new one. Why do that when it is so much cheaper to just purchase a quality gun oil and keep your existing weapon fresh for a long time?

Below are some of the most highly regarded shotgun oils on the market today. They each have their slight differences so you should look through them and determine which shotgun oil is right for your particular weapon and needs.

Bore Tech Shotgun Blend – Best Shotgun Oil for Cleaning

One thing a lot of shotgun owners complain about when it comes to certain shotgun oils is the smell that is left behind afterward. They don’t like those strong odors that may come from certain oils used for cleaning and lubricating their shotguns. If you are one of these people, then try the Bore Tech Shotgun Blend solution for your shotgun. Not only is it one of the best cleaning solutions available for thoroughly cleaning the barrel and internal components of your shotgun, but it leaves no smell behind either. The formula does not contain any ammonia which makes it suitable for all types of shotgun barrels. There is really no better shotgun cleaner out there for your weapon.

Bore Tech Shotgun Blend

The cleaning solvent of the Bore Tech Shotgun Blend is specifically formulated for cleaning away carbon deposits and plastic particles that build up in the barrel of a shotgun. It doesn’t matter if you have a rifled slug barrel or a smooth bore barrel either. The solvent is also good for removing these substances from choke tubes, chokes, and forcing cones as well. You don’t even need to use that much of the liquid solvent when you go to clean the barrel or these components. All you need is 2 to 3 wetted patches and a brush to do a thorough enough cleaning job to remove all lead streaks, gunpowder residue and plastic from your weapon.

The Bore Tech Shotgun Blend is typically sold in a 16-ounce bottle which contains the liquid solvent inside of it. The price of this 16-ounce bottle is $25.99, which comes out to roughly $1.62 per ounce. Just remember these solvents are not able to be returned after you use them. But you wouldn’t have any reason to return the Bore Tech Shotgun Blend because it does a thorough enough cleaning job to where everyone will be satisfied with it. The best part is that you won’t have to put up with any odors either.

The Bore Tech Shotgun Blend is available at most sporting goods retailers. In fact, this liquid solvent is my favourite one at the moment. It cleans shotgun good and don’t have a strong chemical smell like Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner, for example.

Recommended Product:
Bore Tech Shotgun Blend Get Bore Tech Shotgun Blend on Brownells

Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner – 2nd Best Gun Oil for Cleaning

The Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner has its good and bad qualities. The good qualities, of course, is its ability to thoroughly clean the barrel and choke tube of the average shotgun. In fact, this cleaner is able to clean them perfectly, leaving behind no streaks or residue. The only downside has to do with the very bad chemical smell that is left behind. That is why this cleaner is rated 2nd best for cleaning because you have to deal with the foul odor left behind after you’re done cleaning the weapon.

In addition to removing nasty residue from the barrels of shotguns, the Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner is also great for cleaning the receiver and choke tubes as well. Everything will be spotlessly cleaned with this cleaning formula. It is particular good at melting away plastic wads, gun powder and lead. If your shotgun has a gas operated mechanism, this cleaner will remove the powder and carbon from there too. That way, you can ensure that all these components are functional and working with each other to properly prolong the life of your weapon.

Shooter's Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner

Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner

I have used the Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner for years and results of this cleaning solvent speak for themselves. Aside from prolonging the life of your weapon, this solvent will also help reduce the time required for cleaning. Just remember that you will need to clean the shotgun from this aggressive solvent. You can use Shooter’s Choice FP-10. When you go to store your weapon or put it away, the FP-10 will protect it from corrosion, pitting, and rust.

Shotguns are very powerful firearms. This means every time you shoot a shotgun it will leave traces of fouling in the choke tubes and barrel of your weapon. This fouling is caused by powder, lead or plastic wad residue that sticks to these areas after firing your weapon. If you use your shotgun repeatedly without cleaning these areas then it will clutter up the weapon and interfere with its overall functionality. That is why I recommend using Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner because it will remove this fouling in the ports, choke tubes and barrels. It is very easy to clean the trigger and receiver assemblies, and if you have a gas operating mechanism then it will remove powder and carbon too.

It can minimize the risk of any weapon malfunction that may occur. It could be bad if you are trying to protect yourself with your shotgun at a critical point, but then find out your shotgun won’t fire. Don’t end up in this situation. Make sure you clean your weapon after each time you use it. Then later on when you go to store this weapon away, the Shooter’s Choice FP-10 Oil will protect it against corrosion, pitting and rust.

This solvent really saves time. Now I spend two times less time to clean my shotgun. Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner quickly and effectively removes plastic wad fouling, lead shot fouling, powder fouling, carbon build-up.

Highly recommended!

The price of the Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner is $14.99 and you can purchase it directly through a number of online sporting goods retailers.

Recommended Product:
Shooter's Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner Get Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner on Brownells

Froglube Solvent – Not Recommended Gun Oil for Cleaning

The Froglube Solvent may be a more affordable cleaning solution for your shotgun, but it is certainly not the best one. I have tried the Froglube Solvent on my shotguns and it does not clean shotgun very good at all. The only real positive thing I can say about the solvent is that it does not leave behind an odor or smell afterward. But when you see Froglube Solvent advertised in online stores like Amazon, the description claims that it can remove carbons and residue from the weapon.

FrogLube Solvent Pump Spray

FrogLube Solvent Pump Spray

However, the more important features you may want to pay attention to are the fact that the solvent is non-toxic and bio-based, making it more environmentally friendly. Since it is a completely natural solvent, this may be part of the reason why it doesn’t clean shotgun components as thoroughly as other cleaners which have unnatural chemicals in them. So, the choice of purchasing this solvent really depends on whether you are an environmentally conscious person or not. The Froglube Solvent is non-flammable and biodegradable after it is thrown away. If these are the traits of a solvent that are most important to you then consider purchasing it. But Bore Tech Shotgun Blend is environmentally friendly too but cleans shotgun much better. Even though Froglube Solvent doesn’t do the best job of cleaning, at least you won’t have a nasty odor left behind which will make you feel uncomfortable.

The price of the Froglube Solvent varies depending on what size bottle you get. Consumers are not forced to having to purchase the bigger 32-ounce bottle which is priced at $31.85. Instead, you can either purchase the 16-ounce bottle at $16.74 or the 1-ounce bottle at $7.19. This 1-ounce bottle is a cheap and affordable option for those who want to try out the solvent first to see if they’ll like it or not. This is an option that most other companies will not give you with their solvent products.

The Froglube Solvent contains a pump spray feature which makes it easy to apply the solvent solution onto your shotgun’s components. You may be even more impressed to learn that the Froglube Solvent formula was developed by the United States Navy Seals, who use it on their own weapons before missions in order to enhance their performance in the line of duty.

FrogLube Solvent is advertised to remove carbon and residue. I was very optimistic after the first review and applied it to the barrel of my shotgun after training with about 50 birdshot rounds, 10 buckshot rounds, and 10 slugs. I cannot say that the barrel was very dirty as there was some residue and some marks of plastic on there from the wads. The pump spray is very convenient to use and I really liked it. But FrogLube Solvent isn’t as viscous as classic gun cleaning oil. It is more like water consistency. That makes it a little difficult to apply to the walls of the barrel.

I have applied a “generous amount” of CLP Solvent to the barrel as the instructions say. I used a nylon brush to clean the barrel. The instructions recommend using the nylon brush but I am not sure why. It looked like the FrogLube Solvent cleaned the barrel pretty well. The patches were dirty at first but then I saw a clean patch coming out of the barrel. When I looked inside the barrel, I was surprised because the solvent removed the residue but not the plastic. I tried applying solvent and scrubbing the barrel again but I ended up getting the same result. So, I used the Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner and it dissolved the plastic after about 10 minutes.

I think that result could be different when used with a spiral (tornado) brush, which cleans the barrel better than any other brush. But I did everything that the instructions told me to do.

What is good about FrogLube Solvent is that it doesn’t have a smell at all. It can be used at home without any problems. Other solvents have a very strong smell and require very good ventilation.

I decided that I am going to use this solvent for such parts as the magazine tube, bolt, bolt carrier, receiver. Those parts usually don’t have much dirt and can be cleaned with this solvent. But for the barrel, I will continue using Shooter’s Choice because it is more effective and saves a lot of time.

Can I recommend it? I am not sure about that. You can use it only for the parts which are easy to clean and for the barrel if you don’t have much residue inside. The biggest advantage of this solvent is that it doesn’t have a smell and it is environmentally friendly. However, it is not a very good cleaner.

FrogLube Solvent Pump Spray

FrogLube Solvent Pump Spray

Get FrogLube Solvent Pump Spray on Brownells

Shooter’s Choice FP-10 – Best Gun Oil for Lubrication

A quality lubricant goes a long way in making sure that the internal moving components of your shotgun stay healthy as they grind against each other and create friction. Shooter’s Choice FB-10 is the best for lubrication for a variety of reasons. Not only does it lube these internal components thoroughly, but it only leaves behind a light smell. The Shooter’s Choice FP-10 doing a great job at lubricating while only leaving behind a mild smell that is not so intolerable.

Shooter's Choice FP-10 Lubricant Elite

The formulated design of the Shooter’s Choice FP-10 is made to professionally clean the most technically advanced shotguns of our time. Many of the benefits you will notice from using this solvent include reduced friction from the internal components that grind into each other and the removal of all types of dirt: carbon, lead and powder fouling. The end result will be a shotgun that hardly malfunctions at all while you’re using it. You will have your shotgun working smoothly and properly. This oil will ensure that you don’t have any malfunctions and that you can operate shotgun without any issues.

The Shooter’s Choice FP-10 has been given the MT-10 Metal Treatment which is an additive that helps promote the lifespan of the weapon you use it on. And since the oil contains an all-in-one formula, this means it will be able to clean, lubricate, and protect your weapon. You start off by removing all the shells from your shotgun. Then you take a bronze brush and apply the Shooter’s Choice FP-10 solution to it. Push the brush thoroughly into the bore about 10 times and wet the patch bore. Do this until the patch is clean.

To lubricate, apply the Shooter’s Choice FP-10 to all the moving internal components of the shotgun as well as its wear surfaces. Work the action numerous times so that the solution gets into the bearing surfaces. To protect from rust, apply the solution to a clean cloth and use it to coat every metallic surface with the solution. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Shooter’s Choice FP-10 Lubricant Elite is a professionally formulated lubricant that is compatible with all types of advanced and technical weaponry. It is important to have a high-quality lubricant for your firearms in order to ensure their long lasting performance. The Shooter’s Choice FP-10 Lubricant Elite includes a metal treatment additive called MT-10. This will reduce friction and wear in your firearms as well as protect it against corrosion and rust. The lubricant itself is great for removing any powder, lead or carbon fouling left in the gun after firing it.

When you go to apply this lubricant to your firearm, first make sure that all of the ammunition is removed. This will ensure that you won’t have any accidents with unwanted gunfire as you are lubricating your weapon. Next, you will apply the FP-10 Lubricant Elite solution freely to a bronze brush and then push the brush through the bore of your weapon. Push the brush in and out about 10 times. This is how the fouling inside the bore gets removed. Now take a paper towel or patch and wipe the bore clean. Once this is done, apply the FP-10 solution to the firearm’s moving parts. Work the action of your firearm numerous times to ensure the FP-10 solution gets into the surfaces of the bearing. Lastly, apply the FP-10 to a dry soft cloth and wipe the coated cloth over the metallic surfaces of the firearm. Use another clean cloth to dry the surfaces after you are done applying the solution onto them.

The FP-10 Lubricant Elite comes in three sizes; ½ ounce, 4 ounces, and 1 gallon. The ½ ounce and 4 ounces are $3.99 and $9.99, respectively. These are very affordable options for the average gun owner. But if you are someone who owns a lot of weapons then you might want to spend $99.99 for the 1-gallon container of FP-10. Shooter’s Choice has their products made in the United States. That is why their company gives customers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The best part is that you can mix this lubricant with other Shooter’s Choice products to get even better results.

The price of the Shooter’s Choice FP-10 is $9.99 for a 4-ounce bottle. You can also purchase a ½ ounce bottle for $3.99 or a large 1-gallon bottle for $99.99. The size you choose will depend on how many shotguns you have to clean and how often you clean them.

Recommended Product:
Shooter's Choice FP-10 Gun Oil Get Shooter’s Choice FP-10 on Brownells

Froglube CLP – 2nd Best Gun Oil for Lubrication

Froglube CLP is considered to be the 2nd best lubricant for shotguns on the market today. A big reason why this is the case is because it is not only a great lubricant, but it leaves behind a light natural smell that will not annoy you. The Froglube CLP is a non-toxic weapon cleaner and lubricant that is biodegradable and recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture as being environmentally friendly to use for cleaning weapons. The Froglube CLP not only cleans carbon and grit from the shotgun, but it also has the ability to lubricate any wooden, polymer, or metal parts in your weapon too. This will ensure that friction is reduced with the internal moving components of your shotgun and that it has a long lifespan to it.

Froglube CLP Liquid and Paste

Froglube CLP Liquid and Paste

The formula of the Froglube CLP contains no wax, oil, or petroleum chemicals in it. Instead, it is filled with lots of food-grade ingredients that have been deemed as non-hazardous and USDA approved. This is a big reason why it is considered to be environmentally safe in the first place. At the same time, it has the ability to seep into the pores of the parts and components of the shotgun to create a protection barrier so that corrosion and rust does not form. That is why the Froglube CLP is known as a Cleaner, Lubricant, and Protectant; hence the CLP acronym.

A 4-ounce bottle of the Froglube CLP is $9.50. It is available in a paste and a liquid form. Four ounces of liquide or paste will go a long way in cleaning, lubricating and protecting your shotgun. Plus, it’ll leave a nice mint smell in the air that will make you feel good rather than feel bad. Compare this to the smell left behind from other commercial gun cleaners and you’ll appreciate the Froglube CLP even more.

Froglube CLP can be purchased on many websites. Their gun products are made in the United States of America.

The Froglube CLP is an interesting cleaner, lubricant, and preservative. It is fairly new, but has already become a very popular gun oil. The Froglube was developed by a retired Navy Seal.

The main difference with this gun oil is its non-toxic formula and smell. It is not a chemical smell, but rather a very natural peppermint and wintergreen smell. The smell is stronger than the smell of the
Breakfree CLP oil. I like the Breakfree CLP for in-house use because it has a very light smell.
It is made of frogs as you can read from its name… just kidding! There are rumors that it’s made of coconut oil with some additions, but these are just rumors.

What is really important is that it is safe when Froglube gets onto your skin. It is safe for you and it is environment-friendly.

I bought a kit with the CLP paste, CLP liquid, and a microfiber. The paste is thick but melts when applied to a hot metal. The paste is easier for coating surfaces, while the liquid is better for cleaning. However, they both work great. Use a microfiber towel to remove excess Froglube, otherwise, it will attract dirt and dust.

It was a very interesting experience to try Froglube because it is very different than other gun lubricants.

First of all, it is a CLP and not a solvent, so it cleans shotguns pretty well but not as well as specialized solvents like Shooter’s Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner. I think that Froglube solvent will do the cleaning better. But I like simple solutions and CLPs because you don’t need to remove the aggressive solvent after cleaning the weapon.

Froglube CLP won’t dissolve copper, lead, or plastic but it will make it easier to remove them from a shotgun’s barrel. But it also means that this CLP is safe for the plastic and wooden parts of your firearm.

How to clean your shotgun using Froglube CLP

Remove the gun oil which you used previously. Use a degreaser to remove it completely for the best results.

Use a hairdryer or a heat gun to warm the metal parts of the gun (until hot to the touch) and then apply Froglube to the metal parts of your shotgun. The lube will soak into the pores of the warm metal. Let it absorb. Work the moving parts to be sure that oil has covered all the parts. Then you need to remove excess Froglube CLP.

Remember that you need to remove Froglube with the included microfiber towel completely after the application. If you leave excess Froglube, then it will attract dust and dirt.
Use liquid Froglube for the barrel. Use it like any other gun oil; there are no special instructions. You can simply apply it by using a patch soaked with Froglube. Then, use the bronze or nylon brush to clean the barrel. Use patch to remove the dirt and then apply some Froglube again.

Froglube CLP Advantages

Froglube CLP is a very good lubricant and the action becomes really smooth. Another advantage is a non-toxic Froglube formula. It is safe for you, your children, and animals. You can even apply it using your hands without gloves. But I don’t recommend doing it because the fouling and dirt inside of the gun are toxic.

You can apply Froglube to your pocket folding knife, for example. You can use it to cut food without being afraid that synthetic oil will get onto the food. It will even moisturize your hands as a bonus :)

Froglube CLP Disadvantages

Froglube CLP is pretty expensive. It is more expensive than many other gun oils. I shoot a lot and clean my shotguns regularly, so I am not sure that I want to spend extra money on Froglube. Also, you need to warm the metal parts for the best effect which is not always easy to do (at a shooting range for example). You can apply it to the cold parts but it won’t be as effective.

What needs to be tested more

I’ve heard that Froglube doesn’t work properly during extremely hot or extremely cold conditions. I made a small test by freezing a small amount of Froglube (-15 degrees Celsius/5 degrees Fahrenheit). And, I also heated a small amount with a hair dryer. As a result, low temperatures make it thicker but if you don’t have an excess amount of the Froglube on parts of your gun, then it will not cause a problem. Heating makes it a liquid, but only if you put a lot of it on the gun. If there is a thin layer of the Froglube on the gun, the high temperature won’t affect it.

I will continue testing Froglube during extreme cold and hot weather conditions and will update this review if I have additional information.

Conclusion

It is good to have non-toxic CLP. Froglube is different from other gun oils and will definitely find its fans. It cleans and lubricates guns very well, so I can recommend it. But the price is pretty high, so you need to decide for yourself if you are ready to pay more money for it.


Breakfree CLP – Best All-Purpose Shotgun Oil

The Breakfree CLP is known as one of the best all-purpose shotgun oils on the market. It may not be the best cleaner there is for shotguns, but it is still an intermediate cleaner that will clean the dirt and residue out of your shotgun properly. At the same time, it is also a good lubricant too and it will ensure that the internal moving components of your shotgun stay healthy by reducing the friction of them grinding together. The formula of the Breakfree CLP is designed to penetrate into every pit and pore found within the metal surfaces of the shotgun and remove any contamination or residue from there.

In addition, the Breakfree CLP creates a protective film coating on the metal surfaces which protect them from grit, sand and other abrasives that end up causing malfunctions and wear. Best of all, the synthetic oils of the formula will not harden or dry up when environmental conditions turn extreme. This means you don’t have to worry about humidity, heat, moisture, or cold causing the solution to create problems in your weapon. Instead, the protective film will protect your internal components from these extreme environmental conditions. And if you go to store your shotgun somewhere with this film on it, then you will reduce the choices of corrosion or rust forming on the weapon too. Tests have proven that a shotgun with the Breakfree CLP on it can survive temperatures of between -65°F and 475°F.

Breakfree CLP Gun Oil Review

Breakfree CLP Gun Oil Review

If you are worried about the odor that may form after applying the Breakfree CLP solution to your weapon, do not worry because it only creates a light odor after it is used to clean and lubricate a shotgun. It may not be the most pleasant smell because it is not based from natural chemicals. However, the odor is not that strong and you can feel happy that you’re using a shotgun oil solution that does its job well. Most importantly, you can feel happy that your shotgun will be able to function better which will, in turn, make you shoot better as a result.

Firearms all need gun oil to stay lubricated and clean. Regular cleaning and lubrication ensures long life of your shotgun. I know that many shooters hate to clean their firearms after training but I am not one of them. I like the process of cleaning and do everything very accurately and thoroughly.

Shooter’s Choice is great but there are several disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage is very bad chemical smell. Second is that you need to have two products to clean your shotgun. Cleaner – “Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner” and lubricant – “FP-10 Lubricant Elite”.

Break Free CLP works as both cleaner and lubricant and has no smell at all (compared to other gun oils). I have tested it many times and was very happy with results.

Break Free CLP gun oil is a highly recommended cleaning fluid that helps your guns function properly and preserves its lifespan. The CLP acronym stands for “Cleaning Lubricant Preservative,” which is exactly what this oil does. It starts by cleaning the gun of any dirt and firing residue , along with preventing rust formation due to the corrosion inhibitors in the oil. As for the lubricant, this reduces friction in the gun so it can function faster and better. Then, of course, the oil will help preserve the life of the gun so you can get as much use out of it as possible. After the gun oil is applied to the firearm, it will even leave a very light neutral smell to it. And don’t worry, because Break Free CLP gun oil is environmentally safe and is recommended by just about every gun manufacturer in the firearms industry and has been assigned Mil Specification MIL-L-63460.

What you will find truly fascinating about Break Free CLP gun oil is that you can use it on more than just guns. It can also lubricate and protect other valuable metal-based items including boats, tools, grills, sports equipment and more. Break Free CLP has received recognition in its ability to maximize and add protection to the performance of any metal-based object. Its combination of unique synthetic oils and ingredients allow the oil to penetrate into every pit of a metal surface and lift out whatever residue is stuck in there. Not only that, the long lasting film that the oil leaves behind will reduce the adhesiveness of substances like grit, sand and dirt. That way these substances won’t be able to stay on the metal and make it look dirty.

Break Free CLP gun oils are typically used by high volume shooters who use their guns frequently. Even law enforcement agencies are issued this cleaner because it is the most reliable solvent on the market today and works faster than any of the traditional solvents you may be used to. As for consumers, they can purchase this gun oil at their local home improvement or gun store. It comes in sizes starting from merely 0.68 oz and goes up to 4 oz and 12 oz cans. The price range is between $4.99 and $12.99, so you don’t have to break the bank when purchasing this gun oil.

The cost of the Breakfree CLP shotgun oil solution is $12.67 for a 12-ounce can of it. You can even choose whether you want it to be in an aerosol can, spray bottle, squeeze bottle, liquid jug, and more.

Recommended Product:
Break Free CLP

Break Free CLP

Get Break Free CLP on Brownells

Ballistol – 2nd Best All-Purpose Shotgun Oil

Ballistol is the 2nd best all-purpose shotgun oil there is on the market today. Like the Breakfree CLP oil, the Ballistol is an intermediate level cleaner that serves as a good lubricant too. The difference, however, is that the Ballistol is not that great for lubricating in cold weather conditions. On top of that, it leaves behind a natural odor that is rather strong after you use it to clean your weapon. Although it is a natural odor, some people may not like how strong this odor is and may prefer the lighter odor of the Breakfree CLP. That is why the Ballistol is labeled the 2nd best all-purpose shotgun oil and not the 1st. But hey, if you’re trying to preserve your weapons and store them away for long periods of time, then Ballistol is without a doubt the best cleaning solution to use for them.

Ballistol Oil Spray

Ballistol Oil Spray

The Ballistol comes in a number of different forms including a spray bottle, aerosol can, or liquid jug. A lot of people like the spray bottle because of how simple it is to use when applying the solution to their shotgun. It is so easy to clean, lubricate and protect your weapon’s internal components with the Ballistol solution. Any plastic, leather, wood or metal materials on your shotgun will be preserved and protected when you apply a coating of this stuff onto it. The best part is the Ballistol solution is 100% natural and biodegradable, which means it will not harm the environment when you go to throw the bottle away after you’re done with it. And since the solution has alkaline, any skin oils or sweats that come off onto your weapon will be neutralized with this stuff.

The price of the Ballistol All-Purpose Shotgun Oil is $20.99 for a 16-ounce bottle. This is totally worth the money because Ballistol is a brand name that has been around for over 100 years. The German Army developed Ballistol before World War I because they needed to find a way to clean, lubricate, and protect their firearms and leathery gear. Ever since then, Ballistol has grown into a top of the line gun cleaning solution that gun owners have recognized all around the world.

Ballistol was developed for the German Army during World War 1. You can use it to lubricate and clean your shotgun. It protects firearms from rust. Also it can protect gun stocks and preserve leather gear. Ballistol can be used as a wound disinfectant for the treatment of minor cuts and infection.

Ballistol is oil which is used to clean and lubricate firearms. If you are new to firearm ownership then you probably just think about shooting your weapon without considering the maintenance and cleaning that is necessary to sustain its health. Remember that every time you shoot a firearm it leaves fouling in the gun’s bore. This fouling is the copper residue (rifles, handguns) that is left from the bullets after they are fired from the barrel or plastic and lead if we talk about shotguns. There is also black powdery residue in the barrel from the gunpowder. If this fouling is not cleaned out frequently then it will get burnt into the bore’s walls, which will ultimately decrease the accuracy of the weapon.

Ballistol gun oil makes is one of the oldest and the best cleaning solution for firearms around. It is cleaning solvent that works by melting the residue left in the bore. This will save you time from having to manually brush out the bore or wipe out the residue. Ballistol gun oil utilizes the miracle of chemistry and modern science to get rid of the residue simply by applying the oil to it. The oil will leave a protective film in the bore to protect a barrel from rust.

Plus if your firearm has a wooden stock then Ballistol will prevent it from drying out in temperatures that are hot and moist. Rain and humidity cause wood to swell up and expand. Ballistol will protect the stock from this.

You don’t have to worry about the oil hardening inside the bore either because the antioxidant properties of the oil will prevent this from happening. It will even offer the bore protection against salt water corrosion, acidic corrosion and galvanic corrosion. This is very beneficial because most other lubricants only protect the bore against normal oxidation. Best of all, the oil only costs about $20 and is environmentally friendly. This makes it the perfect choice for any gun owner who wants to take excellent care of their weapons.

It doesn’t work good during cold weather from my experience. It is better to use synthetic oils during winter, especially on semi-autos.

Ballistol is inexpensive, non-toxic and biodegradable. The best choice of gun oil if you care about environment.

Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III for Shotgun Cleaning

I have tried Shooter’s Choice earlier and really liked. I’ve bought another product by Shooter’s Choice recently: Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III.

Shooter's Choice Quick Scrub III for Shotgun Cleaning

Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III for Shotgun Cleaning

I really like this cleaner/degreaser. First I clean the barrel with Shotgun and Choke Tube Cleaner and then use Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III to additionally clean and degrease it. It cleans everything very fast and dries quickly.

Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III is also good to clean trigger group without disassembling it. This solution is a quick and easy way for gun owners to quickly remove nasty residue that is built up on firearm actions and trigger groups without having to take apart your weapon. Quick Scrub dissolves this residue fast and the liquid evaporates quickly. For best results, you can attach the extension tube to the bottle of Quick Scrub and just shoot out the solution in bursts onto the weapon. Then you can use a toothbrush to scrub the solution in there good. There won’t be any traces of the solution left behind because it will evaporate completely after about 5-10 minutes.

Highly recommended!

Recommended Product:
Shooter's Choice Quick Scrub III for Shotgun Cleaning

Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III for Shotgun Cleaning

Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub III for Shotgun Cleaning on Brownells

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

Very nice cleaning mat with Remington 870 imprint. Very compact when folded, so it is easy to store it. It has a history of the Remington 870 shotgun and description of all parts.

You can use it to protect your desk from oil and solvents when cleaning shotgun. Surface is very soft and will not harm finish of your 870.

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

TekMat Gun Cleaning Mat with Remington 870 Imprint

Cleaning Remington 870 Shotgun – Video

Cleaning Remington 870 Shotgun – simple video with basic procedure of Remington 870 cleaning. Requested by many readers, enjoy:

Shotgun Maintenance

12 Gauge Cleaning Kit Hoppes

12 Gauge Cleaning Kit Hoppes

In years past the breakaway shotguns could be cleaned in literally minutes using kerosene, oil, rags and a stiff piece of wire. Shotguns today in some cases can be cleaned virtually the same way, but you may not have kerosene available and transporting it is always a concern so of course you would use solvents and oils that come with your shotgun cleaning kit. However, in a field situation you can use WD-40 and kerosene for lubrication and cleaning the fouling from your barrel.

Ideally, you would have a shotgun cleaning kit.

Recommended product:

Basic Shotgun Cleaning Kit from Brownells

Basic Shotgun Cleaning Kit from Brownells

Bore solvent is important as well as lubricating oil designed for firearms. As stated earlier however, you can use other solvents and lubricants in an emergency, but you should get in the habit of carry products designed for your firearm. Some shooters have their rituals and may even make up their own solvents. This can be a safety hazard unless you have specific knowledge of the chemicals you are using. You can be overcome by vapors from some solvents that are not specifically designed for firearms.

Gun oil is important because some parts of your shotgun will get extremely hot and having the wrong oil may mean some moving parts will not be properly lubricated. Heat can literally evaporate some oils leaving the moving parts susceptible to wear by friction. However, in a field or survival situation, motor oil can be used and you can pull the dipstick from your vehicle’s engine block to get some oil. Use a clean cloth to absorb the oil from the stick to wipe down metal parts. Do not use oil on wooden or composite parts.

Pieces of tee shirts can be soaked in solvent and pushed through the barrel, let the solvent work on the buildup for a few minutes before pushing more cloth through the barrel.

Some shooters do not clean their shotguns according to their own accounts until they notice the accuracy is off. You can go for some time before cleaning your weapon if it is a breakaway single or double barrel, but pump actions and semi-automatic gas operated weapons should be cleaned if not every time you shoot at least every other time.
The more moving parts a weapon has the greater friction and heat there will be. Grit build up will cause faster wear and can cause some pump actions and semi-automatics to jam caused by short strokes. Dirt will build up in the receiver, and carrier/ lifter, which will can cause problems as well.

In a shell lifter/carrier for an 870, you can see the small moving parts would be affected by grime buildup and may fail to function if not cleaned properly.

Oil wherever metal touches metal and occasionally strip off the layer of oil and reapply fresh. Dust and dirt will mix in the oil over time and may create an abrasive compound that can cause wear to moving parts, so it is a good idea to remove it periodically.

After you have cleaned your shotgun and put it away, it is a good idea to bring it out once a month to give it another wipe down. This is especially import if you store your weapon in any time of case that may wick the oil from the metal parts.

Dry Lubricants for Firearms: Ballistol Teflon, KG10 Dri-Lube, DuPont Teflon

I was using gun oil to lubricate my guns for years. But disadvantages of good old lubricants were obvious: wet oil attracts dirt and debris.

I decided to try dry lubricants. I have bought Ballistol Teflon spray and also received KG Dri Lube for tests.

Dry Lubricants for Firearms: Ballistol Teflon and KG10 Dri Lube

Dry Lubricants for Firearms: Ballistol Teflon and KG10 Dri Lube

What can I say, use of dry lubricants improved work of moving parts significantly. Less friction is better, it means that you need to use less force to reload a pump-action shotgun, for example.

Both KG10 Dri Lube and Ballistol Teflon worked similar when applied. But they are different in application.

Ballistol Teflon is easier to apply because it comes as spray. You just spray it on moving parts, alcohol dries and you see transparent film.

KG10 has a brush implemented into cap. You use brush to apply Dri-Lube. It is not as convenient as spray but it is pretty easy procedure.

By the way, I was dissapointed with Shooter’s Choice High-Tech All Weather Grease. It attracts dirt easily. This is understandable because it comes in classic wet form.

I highly recommend using Dry Lubricants because they make work of moving parts easier, with less friction. Dry lubricants don’t attract dirt or debris. Tested on many trainings and one competition.

Dry lubricants are highly recommended! Choose the one you like!

The absolutely identical product is DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Dry-Film Lubricant Aerosol Spray.

These lubricants are not tacticool, they are not expensive, they are not advertised as “high-tech” but they really work.

Shooter’s Choice Rust Prevent

You have to remember that firearms are made of metal which means they are prone to rust just like any other piece of metal. If you don’t take proper precautions to prevent rust from forming on your firearm then it will interfere with the functionality of it. The one thing that creates rust is moisture or water contact with metal. Now it may seem easier to keep water off of your firearms, but don’t forget about the moisture because this is something we can’t see. If you leave your weapon in a room with moisture in the air then it will create rust on your weapon the same way it would as if you put water on it. Even if you were to cover your weapon with a scabbard, the moisture could still sink into the air pockets of the weapon and cause rust.

Shooter's Choice Rust Prevent

Shooter’s Choice Rust Prevent

The best solution for preventing rust is with Shooter’s Choice Rust Prevent. This is a high quality moisture displacing agent that will help prevent corrosion and rust from forming on your weapon. When you coat the weapon with the Rust Prevent solution it creates a thin protective layer that keeps the moisture from making actual contact with the metal of your weapon. If you live in an area with lots of salty air or humidity, like on the beach, then Rust Prevent is a solution you must have to prevent your firearms from getting rusty. It even goes so far as to stop fingerprint acids from staining your gun as well.

Rust Prevent is suitable for most pistols, shotguns and rifles. The solution penetrates the metal to ensure the protective layer is secured properly on the weapon. Just make sure all of the grease is removed from the bore prior to applying this solution. It should only take about 10 minutes for the solution to dry on the weapon. It is really not complicated to use at all and it is rather inexpensive at only $8.99 per bottle, which are 6 ounces each. This is a worthy investment in order to prevent your gun from getting rusty because if that were to happen then it would damage your weapon badly. Then you’d have to go out and purchase a new weapon or restore your firearm.

Remember that when you carry your shotgun from cold environment into a warm room, condensate will appear on metal surfaces. Make sure to wipe all water from the shotgun.