It’s the time of year where you end every shoot day with soggy tweeds, chilly toes, and mud where you didn’t think it was even possible for mud to get. And what about your gun? If it’s anything like mine it’s been subjected to heavy rain, howling winds and dirty, wet gun slips.
My gun is already booked in for a full strip and-clean service once the season is over, as this is a vital part of gun maintenance, but I wanted to know what I should be doing at the end of each shoot.
Is there a basic cleaning routine that could help protect my gun and keep it in better overall condition? I wanted to get a professional opinion, so I went to visit Ian Sweetman, renowned craftsman and owner of I.S Sweetman, Gun & Rifle Makers.
Ian’s focus is building new best English shotguns and rifles for the trade but he also takes on the occasional repair and was very happy to give me some top tips. I must take this opportunity to make perfectly clear that basic cleaning is by no means a replacement for proper professional servicing, and you should always take your gun to a fully qualified gunsmith or gunmaker once a year for a full health check. This step-by-step guide is simply a helping hand to look after your gun on a day-to-day basis. Please do not try to take apart the action or internals of your gun and if you have any concerns about damage or wear, seek professional advice as soon as possible.
Denne historien er fra March 2020-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
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Denne historien er fra March 2020-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Thermal spectrum
Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
Adventures of Nick & Ted
A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice