How often do you have to clean pumps?

maxinquaye · September 7, 2001, 04:13 PM

No, not the shoes, the shotgun

I have a Mossberg 590A1 and I take it to the range about once a month. I clean my pistols and rifles after every trip, but somehow feel it's ok to skimp on the shotgun - probably cause it's such a pain in the but to dis-assemble. How often do you folke break 'em down and give them a good scrub?

rugerfreak · September 7, 2001, 07:49 PM

Embarassed to say----but I'm like you----never. Maybe if one of my pumps would start to fail me---otherwise no.

Alex Szabo · September 7, 2001, 07:58 PM

I use a Mossberg 500A pump. I break it down after each use. I have found it to be easy to break down and reassemble. It is easier to work with as opposed to my semi's.

The only pain in the a$$ is the trigger assembly. I am always afraid of it falling apart and not being able to reassemble due to lack of full documentation [which almost happened a couple of times].

Kharn · September 7, 2001, 08:05 PM

I use a bore snake on my 870 before and after every range session, and then I put a few drops of CLP down into the action when I am done.

Kharn

Coronach · September 7, 2001, 09:53 PM

You have to clean them?

Mike

waltherpfive · September 7, 2001, 09:54 PM

I have a Winchester 1300 and find it is as easy to breakdown and clean as my handguns so I clean it after each trip to the range.

Fatcat · September 8, 2001, 01:26 AM

I used to never clean my pump, either. But then one of these guys here showed me the light: Chances are, if you don't clean it at least semi-regularly, the time it's gonna start malfunctioning is when there is a BG in your living room.

My 870's so easy to disassemble that I enjoy cleaning it.

Dave McC · September 8, 2001, 07:07 AM

Licknpromise after each use, complete stripdown every 1000 rounds or each year.

A complete job takes maybe 30 minutes. Both my oldest 870 and Frankenstein have been drug in and out of saltmarshes, bogs, goose blinds and bramble thickets,used in downpours and fogs. Zero rust.

There's a lesson there(G)....

KeithL · September 8, 2001, 08:49 AM

I'll clean the bore of my 870M after everyuse, then very light oil the action, and "Sheath" the exterior. Once a season (after waterfowling), I would pop the trigger group out, pour boiling water on it, & dry & re-oil. The shotgun was "used" when I got it in the late 60's...and still no rust.

Captain Bligh · September 8, 2001, 11:16 AM

I clean my 870 after each time I use it. I can't stand dirty guns. I want them clean, well-lubed, and ready to go.

On the 870, generally I just clean the barrel and wipe out the breech. Only about once a year do I go all the way and pull out the bolt and drop the trigger assembly for a full-strip/full-clean.

It really is just as easy to clean, if not easier, than taking care of a pistol.

RJ

JAMES L.SMITH · September 9, 2001, 09:17 PM

Always swabbed barrel&wiped down outside of gun after use,yearly-complete takedown clean-up.Bought a couple of military shotguns(old) Stevens520-30&Ithaca 37 both guns were clean,except mag. tube insides were ribbed and springs were very thin,no rust(packed lightly with greace). After clean-up both shoot good.

Coronach · September 9, 2001, 11:13 PM

Here's a related question. I have seen much variance on which parts get lubed in the 870...which is also, I suppose, a sign of the gun's durability and reliability...they seem to work all oiled to [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] and almost dry as a bone.

So, when/if you clean them, what do you lube?

Mike

Dave McC · September 10, 2001, 06:12 AM

Mike,when I take one down to clean it thoroughly, I use a light moly grease or the new Slip 2000 lube inside the receiver and bbl. Wipe on/wipe off, like the Karate Kid.

Last thing I do is apply one drop of Slip 200 or CLP to each action bar right where it enters the receiver and work it a few times. The outside gets the same treatment for rust prevention.

Coronach · September 10, 2001, 09:35 AM

I usually apply a LIGHT layer of CLP to the interior parts (like from a moistened 12ga patch), making sure to get a drop or two on the areas where the action bars ride. I then usually add a drop to each action bar as you do, Dave (so they're probably getting double treatment, actually).

Its worked for me for 15 years (GOOD LORD, that long???), so I figured I was doing it right. I've just noticed SUBSTANTIAL variation in how its done.

Mike

PS Of course, back in the dim recesses of history it wasn't CLP, but the crude precursors thereof.

blades67 · September 12, 2001, 08:11 PM

I clean it every time I use it and I lube it with CLP.

KSFreeman · September 13, 2001, 07:55 AM

"How do you expect to kill any Communists with a dirty weapon, sailor?" Senior Chief Petty Officer Fredrick Larson

Clean your weapons after using them. Clean your weapons once a week whether you discharge them or not. Wipe down your carry guns everyday.

mbott · September 13, 2001, 06:07 PM

Call me old school, but if I shoot it, I clean it.

--
Mike

taco · September 17, 2001, 09:42 PM

I usually clean my sporting shotguns (Rem 870 and 1100) every 6 weeks or so (200-250 rounds) but I do wipe down the receiver and barrel and give a light coating of Rem oil after each outting.

My home defense shotguns get cleaned after every outting or every other month even if it wasn't used.

Borf · September 17, 2001, 10:37 PM

just bought a Winchester 1300 20 ga used last week. Also shot my first 3 rounds of skeet ever with it this past weekend. Think I'm addicted

As I was saying though, I got it home and took it apart. I doubt the original owner had every cleaned it. I could shake the bolt by hand and *gobs* of crub fell off... kinda like a powder residue & grunge jelly of some kind. Took me nearly an hour to clean the receiver parts... but I noticed no difficulty in operating it before my cleaning... I'm betting it could have gone a lot longer without cleaning!

Alex Szabo · September 17, 2001, 11:29 PM

Borf,

I would simply pay particular attention to a detailed cleaning [with a careful breakdown] in order to remove the apparent factory shipping greases as well as all powder residues.

You should be good to go after that. Good hunting!

UK2TX · September 18, 2001, 12:54 AM

I went dove hunting with some good old boys in Iredell, Tx last weekend and one of the chaps had a Remington which had not been stripped and cleaned since new ( 23 years )!

I, however, strip and clean my firearms after every trip.

Regards,

UK2TX

Correia · September 18, 2001, 08:36 AM

You guys might want to do a search for the thread where I cleaned my Dad's 870. Purchased in the 1950s, used really hard, and never cleaned! It still worked fine. Though he was surprised by how much smoother the action was. Those things never stop!

Lightsped · September 18, 2001, 10:46 AM

I have a 590A1 too. While I ALWAYS clean my handguns after each use, I have not cleaned my 590A1 yet. Although the 590A1 has only been fired about 15 times.

Anyways, what all is involved in cleaning my shotgun? I know how to remove the barrel, but I have no knowledge in removing any other neccesary parts that need cleaning....

Dave McC · September 18, 2001, 02:03 PM

Lightsped....

It's been decades since I took down a 500, so the best I can do for you is to recommend getting the manual from Mossberg and following the TD procedures.

Once it's apart, use Hoppe's,etc, to remove grunge,dry it, relube with a good product like CLP, and put it together again.

September 7, 2001, 04:13 PM	#1
maxinquaye Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2000 Posts: 546	How often do you have to clean pumps? No, not the shoes, the shotgun I have a Mossberg 590A1 and I take it to the range about once a month. I clean my pistols and rifles after every trip, but somehow feel it's ok to skimp on the shotgun - probably cause it's such a pain in the but to dis-assemble. How often do you folke break 'em down and give them a good scrub?

September 7, 2001, 07:58 PM	#3
Alex Szabo Member Join Date: August 2, 2001 Location: Jacksonville FL-USA Posts: 96	I use a Mossberg 500A pump. I break it down after each use. I have found it to be easy to break down and reassemble. It is easier to work with as opposed to my semi's. The only pain in the a$$ is the trigger assembly. I am always afraid of it falling apart and not being able to reassemble due to lack of full documentation [which almost happened a couple of times]. __________________ Best regards, Alex Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote! - Benjamin Franklin 1759

September 7, 2001, 09:53 PM	#5
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	You have to clean them? Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

September 8, 2001, 01:26 AM	#7
Fatcat Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Location: Rockaway Beach, OR Posts: 376	I used to never clean my pump, either. But then one of these guys here showed me the light: Chances are, if you don't clean it at least semi-regularly, the time it's gonna start malfunctioning is when there is a BG in your living room. My 870's so easy to disassemble that I enjoy cleaning it. __________________ Patrick J. Sullivan :: [email protected] "When I whet my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold in judgement, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me."

September 9, 2001, 09:17 PM	#11
JAMES L.SMITH Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 1999 Location: Lakeland Fl.U.S.A. Posts: 173	Always swabbed barrel&wiped down outside of gun after use,yearly-complete takedown clean-up.Bought a couple of military shotguns(old) Stevens520-30&Ithaca 37 both guns were clean,except mag. tube insides were ribbed and springs were very thin,no rust(packed lightly with greace). After clean-up both shoot good. __________________ MONTANI SEMPER LIBERI

September 7, 2001, 07:49 PM	#2
rugerfreak Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2001 Posts: 819	Embarassed to say----but I'm like you----never. Maybe if one of my pumps would start to fail me---otherwise no.

September 7, 2001, 08:05 PM	#4
Kharn Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,531	I use a bore snake on my 870 before and after every range session, and then I put a few drops of CLP down into the action when I am done. Kharn

September 7, 2001, 09:54 PM	#6
waltherpfive Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2001 Location: TN Posts: 129	I have a Winchester 1300 and find it is as easy to breakdown and clean as my handguns so I clean it after each trip to the range.

September 8, 2001, 07:07 AM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Licknpromise after each use, complete stripdown every 1000 rounds or each year. A complete job takes maybe 30 minutes. Both my oldest 870 and Frankenstein have been drug in and out of saltmarshes, bogs, goose blinds and bramble thickets,used in downpours and fogs. Zero rust. There's a lesson there(G)....

September 8, 2001, 08:49 AM	#9
KeithL Member Join Date: October 21, 2000 Posts: 24	I'll clean the bore of my 870M after everyuse, then very light oil the action, and "Sheath" the exterior. Once a season (after waterfowling), I would pop the trigger group out, pour boiling water on it, & dry & re-oil. The shotgun was "used" when I got it in the late 60's...and still no rust.

September 8, 2001, 11:16 AM	#10
Captain Bligh Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2000 Posts: 453	I clean my 870 after each time I use it. I can't stand dirty guns. I want them clean, well-lubed, and ready to go. On the 870, generally I just clean the barrel and wipe out the breech. Only about once a year do I go all the way and pull out the bolt and drop the trigger assembly for a full-strip/full-clean. It really is just as easy to clean, if not easier, than taking care of a pistol. RJ

September 9, 2001, 11:13 PM	#12
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	Here's a related question. I have seen much variance on which parts get lubed in the 870...which is also, I suppose, a sign of the gun's durability and reliability...they seem to work all oiled to [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] and almost dry as a bone. So, when/if you clean them, what do you lube? Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

September 10, 2001, 06:12 AM	#13
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Mike,when I take one down to clean it thoroughly, I use a light moly grease or the new Slip 2000 lube inside the receiver and bbl. Wipe on/wipe off, like the Karate Kid. Last thing I do is apply one drop of Slip 200 or CLP to each action bar right where it enters the receiver and work it a few times. The outside gets the same treatment for rust prevention.

September 10, 2001, 09:35 AM	#14
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	I usually apply a LIGHT layer of CLP to the interior parts (like from a moistened 12ga patch), making sure to get a drop or two on the areas where the action bars ride. I then usually add a drop to each action bar as you do, Dave (so they're probably getting double treatment, actually). Its worked for me for 15 years (GOOD LORD, that long???), so I figured I was doing it right. I've just noticed SUBSTANTIAL variation in how its done. Mike PS Of course, back in the dim recesses of history it wasn't CLP, but the crude precursors thereof. __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

September 12, 2001, 08:11 PM	#15
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	I clean it every time I use it and I lube it with CLP. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

September 13, 2001, 07:55 AM	#16
KSFreeman Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2001 Location: Lafayette, Indiana--American-occupied America Posts: 5,418	"How do you expect to kill any Communists with a dirty weapon, sailor?" Senior Chief Petty Officer Fredrick Larson Clean your weapons after using them. Clean your weapons once a week whether you discharge them or not. Wipe down your carry guns everyday.

September 13, 2001, 06:07 PM	#17
mbott Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1999 Location: Westerville, Ohio Posts: 640	Call me old school, but if I shoot it, I clean it. -- Mike

September 17, 2001, 09:42 PM	#18
taco Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 936	I usually clean my sporting shotguns (Rem 870 and 1100) every 6 weeks or so (200-250 rounds) but I do wipe down the receiver and barrel and give a light coating of Rem oil after each outting. My home defense shotguns get cleaned after every outting or every other month even if it wasn't used.

September 17, 2001, 10:37 PM	#19
Borf Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 424	just bought a Winchester 1300 20 ga used last week. Also shot my first 3 rounds of skeet ever with it this past weekend. Think I'm addicted As I was saying though, I got it home and took it apart. I doubt the original owner had every cleaned it. I could shake the bolt by hand and gobs of crub fell off... kinda like a powder residue & grunge jelly of some kind. Took me nearly an hour to clean the receiver parts... but I noticed no difficulty in operating it before my cleaning... I'm betting it could have gone a lot longer without cleaning! __________________ A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. -- Wiliam James If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money it values more, it will lose that, too. -- W. Somerset Maugham

September 17, 2001, 11:29 PM	#20
Alex Szabo Member Join Date: August 2, 2001 Location: Jacksonville FL-USA Posts: 96	Typically... Borf, I would simply pay particular attention to a detailed cleaning [with a careful breakdown] in order to remove the apparent factory shipping greases as well as all powder residues. You should be good to go after that. Good hunting! __________________ Best regards, Alex Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote! - Benjamin Franklin 1759

September 18, 2001, 12:54 AM	#21
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	I went dove hunting with some good old boys in Iredell, Tx last weekend and one of the chaps had a Remington which had not been stripped and cleaned since new ( 23 years )! I, however, strip and clean my firearms after every trip. Regards, UK2TX

September 18, 2001, 08:36 AM	#22
Correia Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 1998 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 3,740	You guys might want to do a search for the thread where I cleaned my Dad's 870. Purchased in the 1950s, used really hard, and never cleaned! It still worked fine. Though he was surprised by how much smoother the action was. Those things never stop!

September 18, 2001, 10:46 AM	#23
Lightsped Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2000 Location: Kennesaw/Marietta, Georgia Posts: 810	I have a 590A1 too. While I ALWAYS clean my handguns after each use, I have not cleaned my 590A1 yet. Although the 590A1 has only been fired about 15 times. Anyways, what all is involved in cleaning my shotgun? I know how to remove the barrel, but I have no knowledge in removing any other neccesary parts that need cleaning....

September 18, 2001, 02:03 PM	#24
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Lightsped.... It's been decades since I took down a 500, so the best I can do for you is to recommend getting the manual from Mossberg and following the TD procedures. Once it's apart, use Hoppe's,etc, to remove grunge,dry it, relube with a good product like CLP, and put it together again.