Shotgun cleaning

[Atroxus]

I just got my first shot gun, and took it shooting for first time last night. So I have some questions for all you bird hunters and/or clay shooters out there; how often do you clean your shotgun? Every time you shoot? After a certain number of shots?

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[ellensburgpo]

After every hunt. With clays every time or two depending on how long between shoots. Too easy not to do it.

[Kola16]

I love cleaning my guns so I just clean it every time. What brand/model  It is a shotgun, and it doesn't matter as much if you don't clean as much as it does if it were a rifle. I just like to clean mine anyway 

[Huntbear]

What ellensburgpo said..  depending on what model, with my 870 Wingmaster at least twice a year, I tear it all the way down to pins and springs (it is very simple on the 870)  and give it a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush and a good cleaner, that way I can inspect all the internal parts for wear or other problems.

[Atroxus]

I have a Mossberg 500 with real tree camo. The camo almost looks it was shrink wrapped on, so I am not sure how durable it is.

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[Stilly bay]

in this salty and wet western Wa environment I really don't think you can get a gun too clean. I like to store all my guns barrel down in a silicone gun sock, even if I don't use them they all come out of the safe once or twice during the off season and get wiped down with barricade or some other rust preventative.

what every you do don't use wd40 on moving parts.

[Huntbear]

I have a Mossberg 500 with real tree camo. The camo almost looks it was shrink wrapped on, so I am not sure how durable it is.

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It is a hard finish.. you are fine.  I would not use a lot of wicked solvent on the outside of the gun,  stuff like Shooters Choice and others have been known to eat finishes.

However, clean it as you feel it is needed.  That Mossberg will last you a lifetime, and is easy to tear down for thorough cleaning when needed.   

[uplandhunter870]

for field use id agree with e-burg pro, clean it after each field session. for shooting clays you can get away with not being as strict maybe after every third outing or so scrub her down.

i have no idea what a mossberg 500 is but if its an auto, keep a close eye on it and keep it clean autos can be pretty finiky about running dirty.

[Atroxus]

for field use id agree with e-burg pro, clean it after each field session. for shooting clays you can get away with not being as strict maybe after every third outing or so scrub her down.

i have no idea what a mossberg 500 is but if its an auto, keep a close eye on it and keep it clean autos can be pretty finiky about running dirty.

It's a pump action, I have been happy with it's performance so far though and from what I have read I am expecting it to be a solid performer for years to come. I just want to make sure I know how best to maintain it without overdoing it.

[BigGoonTuna]

i clean my shotgun every time i hunt the salt.  a couple years ago i stored it for the summer without cleaning it after my last saltwater hunt(no rain, and didn't get any water on the gun) and pulled it out with a nice big blotch of rust half the size of the receiver

[Atroxus]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Sounds like the consensus is that I could get away with cleaning after a few trap sessions, but should clean every time after I take it on a hunt. 

[MP123]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Sounds like the consensus is that I could get away with cleaning after a few trap sessions, but should clean every time after I take it on a hunt. 

There's certainly nothing wrong with that but if the shotty didn't get rained on or wet and you only fired it a few times on a hunt there's no real reason to clean it right away.  Unless you just like cleaning it! 

[Atroxus]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Sounds like the consensus is that I could get away with cleaning after a few trap sessions, but should clean every time after I take it on a hunt. 

There's certainly nothing wrong with that but if the shotty didn't get rained on or wet and you only fired it a few times on a hunt there's no real reason to clean it right away.  Unless you just like cleaning it! 

Nah I am not overly fond of cleaning...in my mind running abrasives down the barrel of a gun can only shorten it's life, so I figure less is better...within reason of course.