Winter is probably the best time of the year. Everyone either wants to sit by the fireplace, crawl into the bed or slurp some rum.
But no one can match the enthusiasm of hunters, as their wait for hunting season finally comes to an end. Winter is the best hunting season for many reasons; it’s much easier to spot an animal, you can trace an animal by following the trail of its footsteps & it's easier for you to blend in with nature making it difficult for the animal to spot you.
The entire season is adventurous.
Though as soon as it ends, you see gun owners either lock up their guns into cases and let them rest in the basement or decorate it on a living room shelf meant for display.
Even though many people are careful and make sure their precious guns are cleaned, not everyone makes a good effort. Consequently, when they attempt a shot next year the gun will probably cease to function. Be it the water that creeps into vents, later freezes and locks the fire, or the water residual that makes the iron rust, nobody likes it when this happens. To ensure successful operation, proper cleaning is extremely essential.
How to do that you ask? Well, that’s exactly what we are about to share with you in this article:
Lube: the tricky little fella
Certain types of guns, primarily handguns, freeze at cold temperatures and tarnish if left untreated. While heavy greasing is considered an optimal solution to avoid corrosion, it is only effective when the guns are stored.
Too much lube causes your gun to become gummy, only a little amount is required to maintain guns in cold weather. The problem with the most popular lubes in the market is they tend to get gum-like in winters and serve no use. This hampers how the weapon functions.
The best treatment for this situation is to take up an old t-shirt (or manufactured patches), cut it into pieces and start cleaning. Make sure you clean every surface, get rid of that residue. This has to be done after you finish shooting. Next time you take your gun out & lubricate it again make sure you clean it thoroughly when you’re done as mentioned above.
FYI, the low-temperature numbers promoted in lube advertisements are mostly unreliable. Ideally, a lube shouldn’t hinder the mechanism at or above -40 degrees, if it does, you know it’s not the right one. With some trial and error, you will find the perfect lubricant.
Ammo
Storing ammunition is as important as storing the weapons that fire them. Here are some simple ammo-care tips for the winter.
- Ammo should be stored in original cases. The best place to store ammo is inside the ammo can.
- The case should be kept at room temperature. Not in moistened basements & unheated garages.
- Air-sealed containers are a must.
Condensation: everyone hates it
If guns were a superhero, condensation would be the villain. The bad one. The one everyone hates.
After a long hunting day in extreme cold, you probably seek a warmer shelter. After you bring yourself to a warm room, your weapon warms up too. Condensation forms on your weapon. Moisture settles on the inner and outer surface of the gun. It sweats.
This is bad because when you bring the weapon back to a colder temperature the moisture freezes obstructing the mechanism of the weapon, possibly locking the firing pin.
How do you deal with it? It’s really simple.
- After you move, ensure you let the moisture settle completely. Don’t start the cleaning process immediately.
- Once convinced, disassemble the gun completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Take a clean piece of cloth that doesn't have any lubricant.
- Dry out every component of the gun. Inside and outside, every surface.
This basic procedure before the storage of the gun ensures it stays in optimal condition.
Another tip to remember is when you move to a warmer surrounding keep the gun barrel down. This guarantees that the moisture does not enter inside the gun.
This tiny task will save you a lot of trouble. On the storage front, while there aren’t a lot of legit options to store guns, we would highly advise getting a high-quality case. Yes, they do cost more, and getting affordable cheap quality cases might seem tempting but it’s not effective. You can go, sleep in peace, knowing your gun is protected. It’s just a constant worry otherwise.
Periodic Examination is a time-saver
You might think, once you’ve carefully stored the gun at the end of the season, the job is done. But that’s not entirely true. It is always a good idea to frequently inspect the conditions of your firearms. Make it once a week, or once in two, anything you are comfortable with. Spending 5-10 minutes for a short inspection can save you hours in the future. So, if you don’t want yourself scrubbing the rust the entire day, a brief look once every sometimes is the way to go.
There’s snow place like home
In the winter season, it’s equally important, if not more, to take care of yourself just as you take care of your gun. When you go outside, wear thick outer clothes. A coat or a jacket will protect both you and your gun from the cold. You should also remember to position the weapon away from your skin.
Otherwise, the metal can get super cold and cause frostbite within a matter of seconds.
Caution also constitutes safe handling. Most likely you will be wearing gloves when outside, practice with gloves on before you venture into the white soil. If you hold a handgun, don’t stuff it inside layers of clothing. Even for defense, it makes sense to reach your weapon quickly. Also, before you begin firing rounds, fire a few shots at an interval of about ten seconds to warm the gun up. Be sure to check out https://www.gorillamachining.com/ for more information.
If you follow everything mentioned above when you arrive home, both you and your gun will be in good & safe condition. We hope you have an incredible winter.
