Care of your rifles

[jvs]

For a long time now, I have been using a Silicone Cloth to wipe my rifles down with, before they go back in the cabinet.  I have been doing this for years and it seems to have no bad effects.  I do it to remove any fingerprints and handling marks, especially from the bluing.  I don't have any Satinless hunting pieces, so the slight color change of Satinless barrels and actions, from the use of such cloths, is not a problem for me.

I am wondering if using Silicone over an extended period of time has any ill effects.  I am thinking that it doesn't, but this is a good place to find out if it does.

I know that water beads up on it out in the field after using the Silicone Cloth.  So there is more than one positive of using it.

[beemanbeme]

Silicone cloths have been used long enough that if something was wrong with them, you'd of heard about it by now.

[Cement Man]

I agree with Beemanbeme.  I can remember using one darn near 40 years ago - kept it in by duck hunting box.  Worked fine.  Now I just use a soft cloth with a little CLP on it, seems to work very well also.

[Carl l.]

I have used them for years now and like them. All my guns have wooden stocks and I can't see where they are hurt any. I carry one with me when I am in the field so I can wipe the guns when needed. Carl L.

[glshop20]

Like most shooters I have used many different products when putting a firearm in storage or after cleaning. (short term storage)  I was using Birchwood-Casey Sheath and it works well, but I am always willing to try something new.  I now use a product called Eezox.  I find it to be superior to others that I have used in the past.  If you ever try it be sure not to overdue the application on internal parts.  It seems to hold up very well in bad weather during hunting and is suppose to provide superior rust protection for storage.  Until something better comes along.  Best of all the wife has not been complaining about the smell.

[The Mechanic]

I put a brand new Marlin 1895 blued in one of those Flambeau gaurenteed no rust plastic cases after normal cleaning and oiling. Took it out a few months later to get practice in before hunting and I had rust all over the rifle. I always oiled the outside of my guns before putting them away. Now I use a silicone gun sock. Haven't seen any discoloration nor has the rust come back. I won't put a gun away without using a silicone gun sock.

[jro45]

I've always used a silcone cloth sprayed with WD40 to wipe my guns down. It works Fine at taking off finger prints and leaves a flim of WD40 on the barrel.

[quickdtoo]

+1 for the Eezox, been using it for aboout 15yrs, it's great stuff, dries to a protective film that won't collect dust, it's an excellent long term protectant.

Tim

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html