condor cleaning and storage

[househunter]

I am as new as they get to shotguns but I am really learning a lot just from these posts! I just got a condor o/u from santa and want to take care of it from day one. As far as cleaning and keeping the right stuff on it, I got some rust preventative gun oil (in a spray can) and plan on wiping the gun down after handling it (fingerprints and all) and wanted to know if it matters what kind of stuff I use on it. Also, as for storage, a guy in my office said you should not keep it in a gun case/carrier because it may rust prematurely. Thanks in advance!

[timb99]

househunter,

The guy in your office was correct. Don't keep it in a case. It will rust. I have made that mistake myself.

I keep mine in a Stack-On brand gun safe. Won't keep out a "determined" thief, but may deter the less serious ones. I put a heating rod in the safe (I think they called it a "goldenrod.") The heating rod keeps moisture from condensing on the gun.

I like Birchwood Case Gun Stock Wax. I use it on the entire gun, metal and wood, except for the checkering on the stock (the wax builds up and looks bad in the checkering.)

Between waxings, I also use RemOil spray on all the metal parts.

Silicone gun cloths work too.

Spray on rust preventive is OK.

Your mileage may vary.

Good luck!

Tim

[fezman]

have no fear your condor WILL RUST i can promise that. ive watched myn rust in my hand. all you can do is try to keep it lightly oiled all the time and make shure you wipe it off every time you touch it and make shure to only handle it by the wood after the final wipe down

[Slamfire]

For most gun owners rust is a never ending battle and a fact of life. In order to completely avoid it you have to be extra careful and very disciplined with the cleaning. Sometimes to the point where it takes away from the fun of having guns, especially if you use them on the field where you might encounter damp conditions. The problem gets compounded on hunts taking multiple days and leaving you with little opportunity to stick to the strict cleaning/oiling regime.

I've been hunting central american waterfowl on coast side swamps during the rainy season for several consecutive days. I had to make a concious decision on not allowing worries about rusting detract from an otherwise thouroughly enjoyable hunting trip.

On the positive side, rust problems do not need to be a big deal. Rust in guns as a fact of life is so recognized that you will find no shortage of cleaning agents that get rid of the rusty spots and the rebluing agents in various formats (cold, hot, rebluing marker pens, etc.) that will very easily restore the original finish of your gun.

If you want to forget about rust problems alltogether, buy a "marine" (basically stainless) shotgun. However, "marine" models are usually designed to be defensive guns, not for hunting nor competition (usually limited to 18" barrels with very open and fixed chokes). You can also get Ruger Red Label over and under with synthetic stocks and stainless steel barrels, and receivers. These guns are as weather impervious as you can get. I particularly like their 30" barrel model.