Maintaining My Shotgun Finish

[Gunowner99]

So, as I have been bird hunting with my Remington 870 with laminate stock, I realize that I spend a lot of time with my grubby hands wrapped around the wood on it. I would think that eventually I am going to wear the finish in those areas. What would be a good treatment for those areas after each time I hunt? I wiped it down after last time with a soft cloth but I assume maybe I can apply something that will protect it and can do it each time I handle it?

Also, going through the brush I tend to get a lot of surface mars/rubs on the metal of the gun and worry that is scraping off the finish. Again, any advice to minimize that or is wood/brush going to really scratch my finish?

[Hawk]

Just wipe it down with the same oil you use to lube it. Then wipe the excess off with a clean cloth. The oil will remove most dirt and grime.
Brush damage is normal with any hunting long gun.

[TooBigToFit]

Yes your metal will get scratched while hunting. Just keep it wiped down with the oil of your choice. For the stock, some like to use boiled linseed oil.

[jthrelf]

Yes to the above - and this is why I wouldn't hunt with a $2k shotgun

Wiping it all down with oil, keeping it dry and keeping storage humidity at a proper level will set you up pretty well. Some people also use a type of wax to preserve wood stocks, but I haven't personally.

[mrat]

Just 1 more reason to buy cheap used guns with "character". None of my hunting guns are new. Just sayin'

[Gunowner99]

Well, I am not a safe queen kind of guy so I don't mind character but at the same time want to maintain as well as possible. My safe has a goldenrod and an EVA DRY as well as a hygrometer. Generally it stays between 30-38%.

So if I had a cloth that has say remoil sprayed in it or Ballistol, I could wipe it all down, metal and wood both and it would help protect and clean the surface? Just every time I take it out and handle it?

[red dog]

I've had good results using birchwood Casey products on stocks. Tru oil is a good finish if you want to add a additional layer. The gun stock wax works well for cleaning and protecting the finish you have. As always a oil if your choosing is as good as it gets for any metal. On a side note I have used the stock wax on blued metal to give it a shine and eliminate marks from handling. Unfortunately a working gun is gonna get some marks and wear, sorta like growing old it adds character and shows experience.

[RockIsland]

The oils from your skin will harm the metal way more than it will the wood.

Trees and picker bushes and the ground will take care of that for you.

At the very least, I try to wipe down all my guns with a silicone cloth after handling them.

[Gunowner99]

I get it, maybe I will try some different stuff and see what works best for me. Ballistol is convenient because it works on everything, may try that first.

[MikeStull]

If it's any consolation. A friend of mine has an Ithaca 37 that he bought new, when he was 12. He is now 5 times that old. The gun has been well maintained over it's life. Where many see wear and scratches, I see character and stories. My friend is damn fast and accurate too, reinforces the adage "beware of a man with one gun".