Question on shotgun care

funwithzombies · March 16, 2010, 12:07 PM

I purchased a mossberg 500 last year and have never fired it. It has just been sitting in the gun case. I was wondering if I need to clean it even though it hasn't been fired.

I pulled it out the other day and there are little patches of what looks like oil scattered around the exterior.

Thanks,

new poster

Maromero · March 16, 2010, 12:37 PM

YES. Every month or so you have to bathe it in oil or whatever product you choose to do so, for it will feel neglected and won't work properly when the need arises.

Seriously, use a cloth impregnated with oil and wipe it regularly.

RoscoeC · March 16, 2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

I purchased a mossberg 500 last year and have never fired it.

That is just wrong.

BigJimP · March 16, 2010, 01:46 PM

yes, I would wipe it down periodically ( even if you have not fired it ) ...a good preventative maintenace program on all your guns is a good idea.

How often / what to do depends a lot on the environment. If its cold or damp where you store your guns ( like a safe in an unheated garage ) -- you'd better look at them at least every week or you'll get some surface rust. If you live in a real humid climate --that's a factor. If you store them indoors / safe is in a warm dry room - maybe once a quarter or once every 6 months is enough .... It just depends. But at the very least - I would run an oiled patch thru the barrel / inspect the receiver, trigger group, etc / and wipe the exterior down with a slightly damp oiled rag ( spray a light mist of Rig Oil or something on a rag )...or even WD-40 and wipe it down.

funwithzombies · March 16, 2010, 02:55 PM

Thanks for all of the responses. I will be sure to go out and get a gun cleaning kit.

b12alex · March 16, 2010, 08:43 PM

i use barricade on my guns. its almost like a WD40 but its made to protect your firearms from moister and it lubricates

Uncle Ben · March 17, 2010, 04:01 PM

I hate to admit it, but I know where you're coming from. I have a 500 that I've had for several months now, but I have not shot it yet. But I do get it out at least once or twice a week for a "dry" run for the sake of practice and function test, and just to keep myself familar and comfortable with it.

It is one of my HD weapons, so it is not kept in a case for the sake of quick/easy access. It is also kept loaded, firing pin dropped, safety off, empty chamber (aka: cruiser ready).

I just don't have the time or money for the range...sure wish I had more of both!

funwithzombies · March 21, 2010, 07:11 PM

Uncle Ben,

You bring up a point that I have been thinking about after reading some of the forum pages. Is it practical for me to leave ammunition in the magazine for long periods of time considering spring tension?

At the moment this is my primary HD gun and I want to ensure that it is operating at 100% if I ever need to use it.

Again, thanks for all of the intelligent responses. I have just recently joined this forum and can already see that most posts are backed up by individuals with considerable experience.

Bill DeShivs · March 21, 2010, 07:18 PM

If you are going to use a gun for defense, shoot the damned thing!
Make sure it works, and that you know how to use it properly.
Leaving it loaded won't hurt anything.

sTimoral · March 21, 2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funwithzombies

I purchased a mossberg 500 last year and have never fired it. It has just been sitting in the gun case. I was wondering if I need to clean it even though it hasn't been fired.

I pulled it out the other day and there are little patches of what looks like oil scattered around the exterior.

Thanks,

new poster

Uncle Ben · March 23, 2010, 04:01 PM

Don't worry about leaving the tube magazine fully loaded and under tension. That is the way it is designed to be. Guns are supposed to be loaded and ready to use. The spring will not wear out from that. What wears a spring out is constant use...going from full tension to no tension over and over again. Of course they are designed for this too, and will last a while even under normal use, but you should definitely keep it loaded if it is a defense weapon.

My preference is an empty chamber, but full magazine. Hammer dropped on the empty chamber (check and doublecheck that it is empty before dropping the firing pin) , so I don't have to worry about using the action release button to pump in the first round.

In addition to taking it to the range, you can also practice shooting it at home with "dummy" rounds. This will help keep you sharp with shooting and pumping it quickly, and making sure that you pump it fully and with authority to properly eject and chamber your rounds.

johnwilliamson062 · March 25, 2010, 02:10 AM

Hit it with RIG and forget it as long as it doesn't get handled/wet.

March 16, 2010, 12:07 PM	#1
funwithzombies Junior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 4	Question on shotgun care I purchased a mossberg 500 last year and have never fired it. It has just been sitting in the gun case. I was wondering if I need to clean it even though it hasn't been fired. I pulled it out the other day and there are little patches of what looks like oil scattered around the exterior. Thanks, new poster

March 17, 2010, 04:01 PM	#7
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	I hate to admit it, but I know where you're coming from. I have a 500 that I've had for several months now, but I have not shot it yet. But I do get it out at least once or twice a week for a "dry" run for the sake of practice and function test, and just to keep myself familar and comfortable with it. It is one of my HD weapons, so it is not kept in a case for the sake of quick/easy access. It is also kept loaded, firing pin dropped, safety off, empty chamber (aka: cruiser ready). I just don't have the time or money for the range...sure wish I had more of both! __________________ Lazy + Complacent = DISARMED *FIGHT to keep your guns & join the NRA. Contact your representatives about 2A issues at www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials and to be kept up to date on the current issues visit www.nraila.org

March 21, 2010, 07:18 PM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	If you are going to use a gun for defense, shoot the damned thing! Make sure it works, and that you know how to use it properly. Leaving it loaded won't hurt anything. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

March 16, 2010, 12:37 PM	#2
Maromero Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Location: Outside the continental U Posts: 752	YES. Every month or so you have to bathe it in oil or whatever product you choose to do so, for it will feel neglected and won't work properly when the need arises. Seriously, use a cloth impregnated with oil and wipe it regularly.

March 16, 2010, 01:46 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	yes, I would wipe it down periodically ( even if you have not fired it ) ...a good preventative maintenace program on all your guns is a good idea. How often / what to do depends a lot on the environment. If its cold or damp where you store your guns ( like a safe in an unheated garage ) -- you'd better look at them at least every week or you'll get some surface rust. If you live in a real humid climate --that's a factor. If you store them indoors / safe is in a warm dry room - maybe once a quarter or once every 6 months is enough .... It just depends. But at the very least - I would run an oiled patch thru the barrel / inspect the receiver, trigger group, etc / and wipe the exterior down with a slightly damp oiled rag ( spray a light mist of Rig Oil or something on a rag )...or even WD-40 and wipe it down.

March 16, 2010, 02:55 PM	#5
funwithzombies Junior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 4	Thanks for all of the responses. I will be sure to go out and get a gun cleaning kit.

March 16, 2010, 08:43 PM	#6
b12alex Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 63	i use barricade on my guns. its almost like a WD40 but its made to protect your firearms from moister and it lubricates

March 21, 2010, 07:11 PM	#8
funwithzombies Junior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 4	Uncle Ben, You bring up a point that I have been thinking about after reading some of the forum pages. Is it practical for me to leave ammunition in the magazine for long periods of time considering spring tension? At the moment this is my primary HD gun and I want to ensure that it is operating at 100% if I ever need to use it. Again, thanks for all of the intelligent responses. I have just recently joined this forum and can already see that most posts are backed up by individuals with considerable experience.

March 23, 2010, 04:01 PM	#11
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	Don't worry about leaving the tube magazine fully loaded and under tension. That is the way it is designed to be. Guns are supposed to be loaded and ready to use. The spring will not wear out from that. What wears a spring out is constant use...going from full tension to no tension over and over again. Of course they are designed for this too, and will last a while even under normal use, but you should definitely keep it loaded if it is a defense weapon. My preference is an empty chamber, but full magazine. Hammer dropped on the empty chamber (check and doublecheck that it is empty before dropping the firing pin) , so I don't have to worry about using the action release button to pump in the first round. In addition to taking it to the range, you can also practice shooting it at home with "dummy" rounds. This will help keep you sharp with shooting and pumping it quickly, and making sure that you pump it fully and with authority to properly eject and chamber your rounds.

March 25, 2010, 02:10 AM	#12
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	Hit it with RIG and forget it as long as it doesn't get handled/wet.