BASC firearms officer Matt Perring shares his tips for keeping your gun in tip top condition…

• Start off by taking the forend and barrels from the gun and lay them out separately, especially the forend and stock as they can be easily scratched or damaged.
  
• With a spray can of gun oil spray a couple of jets down each barrel and with a bronze brush on the end of a cleaning rod, scrub back and forth
  four or five times in each barrel tube.  
   
• Wrapping kitchen roll round a
  plastic jag or the bronze brush, push the rod through each barrel (ensuring a tight, but not too tight, fit) from the chamber end to the muzzle until the kitchen roll appears clean.
  
• Push a wool mop with a light covering of oil once through each barrel to help preserve the barrels whilst they’re in storage.
  
• To clean the action use an old toothbrush and a cloth to wipe out any muck.
  
• Wipe the inside and outside of the action, trigger and trigger guard with an oily rag. If you have a dirty stock or forend wipe clean with a damp cloth and polish with stock oil.

I always dab a little oil on the sides of the ejectors and then wipe the barrels with an oily rag to remove any salt and dirt that can corrode the metal. If you go wildfowling ensure that the ribbing is clear from mud and salt spray - an old toothbrush or shaving brush is ideal for this and don’t be afraid to use warm soapy water to neutralise the salt. Ensure you let the barrels dry in a warm room or airing cupboard before oiling and reassembling the gun.

Bob’s your uncle, one clean and serviceable gun!

TIP: Store your gun with the barrels pointing at the cabinet floor; it will prevent the oil in the barrel from draining into the action and ruining the stock. It’s a good idea to put a rag in the bottom of your cabinet to soak up oil coming out of the barrels – this also creates a gun friendly atmosphere in the cabinet which helps prevent rust forming.