Guns are
subject to wear and tear, like any other tool or machinery, making it a
necessity to clean and maintain them with regularity. Monitoring your weapon is
just as important as using it. Prioritizing it for you to examine and keep a
check on the state of the hidden elements of your weapon that contribute to its
working. Early detection
of irregularities is only possible with consistent maintenance and cleaning,
drawing the line between the life and death of your weapon.
With an approximate estimation of 80-90% of gun malfunction and stoppages
attributed to irregular maintenance and unclean mechanisms, rust, dust, dirt
and wear and tear have been sought to be the prime rivals of their functioning.
Early findings
of such problems will allow one enough time to fix or replace any required part
of the weapon, for smooth and regular working.
Let us see why you should keep your weapon clean and avoid untimely accidents.
The Promise of a
Long Companionship
Cleaning your
weapon with care and housing it appropriately assures durability. Guns have
adorned fireplaces and mantels throughout generations, proving they have the
potential to withstand the test of time. Lubrication and proper cleaning fights
unwanted rust and protects your firearm from its effects. Correct maintenance
will definitely let your great-grandchildren hold your weapon one day.
Making the
Perfect Aim
Impurities and
build-up of fouling over years can damage your guns reliability to aim and
shoot with precision. Rust corrodes away the metal of your weapon, creating
pits in the barrel. Copper build up in the barrel can affect its performance
greatly, compromising accuracy and maybe even risking life. Regularly cleaning
your gun will prevent such incidents and deliver accuracy, making your old
reliable, well, reliable!
Understanding
the mechanism
Knowing your
firearm goes a long way. Knowing how your gun works and understanding what is
enclosed within, makes all the difference. Frequent dismantling and assembly of
your gun will familiarise you with it, helping you understand how the different
parts work together and interact. It’s not always possible for you to find a
gunsmith and if situation calls for it, you should be able to make minor fixes
in your firearm yourself. This will not only be cost effective, but can also
avoid accidents. Take pride in being not only a gun owner, but an enthusiast
who knows it in and out.
Lubrication is Key
An art that
cannot be mastered without time and patience, lubricating your weapon well adds
years of life to it. A well lubricated weapon performs with more accuracy, yet
over lubricated ones result in inability to fire. It due time, you’ll figure
out how to lubricate your gun without inviting a slippery situation, but only
if you frequently take the time and make the effort to dismantle and see what’s
going on inside. You’ll learn which parts require what amount of lubricant as
you make an interaction with your weapon through the maintenance process.
Give your weapon
the time and attention it requires and you'll find it around for a long time.
Take joy in getting to know your firearm, get these four steps right and you’ll
be good to go!