Should I Oil The Barrel On My Gun?

Cleaning your firearm on a regular basis is an extremely important task, and in the process of cleaning a firearm, there are a few things that can confuse you, including when to oil the inside of the barrel and whether this task is necessary.

1. The importance of oiling a gun

Every time a bullet is fired through a rifled barrel, it removes a layer of microscopic material, exposing the metal underneath. When fresh metal is exposed to the elements for extended periods of time, it is likely to cause rusting. So you should oil it.

2. Find the right oil

Almost every gun owner has a different type of oil that he or she likes, and no one product will work in all situations. For the barrel, you should generally use a gun oil designed to protect against corrosion and other types of environmental damage. There are also various types of oils designed for long-term storage, extreme temperatures and various humidity levels. You need to consider all of these different factors before choosing a gun oil.

3. Oil the barrel correctly

Cleaning and oiling the barrel is often one of the easiest steps to maintain a firearm and can be done in just a few minutes. As a general rule, all you need is a hole cleaner, gun solvent and your favorite oil. In a spacious and well-ventilated environment, you can start the process by carefully inspecting the chamber before disassembling the gun as much as possible. You will then use a hole brush and a small amount of solvent to clean the inside of the barrel and remove excess carbon. Once it's clean and dry, oil the barrel with a drop or two of oil and the second hole brush.

4. When to oil the barrel

Most gun owners should attempt to clean their firearms immediately after using it. Cleaning and oiling your gun before you go out to use it can cause problems with accuracy or handling. You should also plan to clean and oil your firearm before and after storing it for extended periods of time. Even if your firearm is in an airtight safe, there is still a fair amount of debris entering the barrel and moving parts, and these particles can affect the durability of the firearm.