paulireland wrote: »

Hi all
Some practical questions on cleaning and storage
Is WD40 good for cleaning the bores as its less aggressive than some solvents
Do you store the gun dis assembled in the safe
If assembled is it best to store it barrel down
Any thoughts from you experienced chaps

I wouldn't use WD40 as it's not a lubricant and attracts dust. Better to get a dedicated firearms cleaner. I like the CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects) types such as Breakfree CLP, MPro7 or Brunox.

Important not to touch the metal parts of the gun after cleaning as the acid in your fingers can cause a rust mark - hold with a cloth when putting away.

Use a smear of decent grease on the hinge pins.

After use I run a bore snake through the barrels and wipe over with a mildly oily rag as I put the gun in the case. I usually do a full clean later and definitely before storing for a period.

The reason for storing barrel down is to stop excess oil seeping into the woodwork. Don't leave excess oil on the gun!

Lastly, it's probably better to store the gun in its case as safes have a nasty habit of hitting nice wooden stocks and marking them

paulireland wrote: »

Thats OK snippy
Miroku come in a cardboard box so looks like assembled then:):)

You can get aftermarket cases ranging from plastic ones with eggbox foam through aluminium with cut out foam to nice ones like this:https://fineshootingaccessories.com/product/leather-shotgun-case/

Couple of answers for you Paul:

1) Buy a proper Bore/Barrel cleaner, oil based nitro solvent is good. You need a good bore cleaner to remove gun powder, plastic etc from the bore after EVERY shoot.
2) Buy a good gun oil, liquid or spray is fine but i have a little zip bag with a soaked oil rag that I wipe the gun down with after cleaning.
3) Buy a good gun grease, this is very important. After each clean and before you store the gun, put the grease onto all of the moving parts and parts where metal rubs metal, like the hing pin, ejectors etc.
4) Optional to buy a walnut oil for treating the stock and fore-end. I use this when the wood gets wet.
5) Dont forget to clean the chokes and use a good choke grease when inserting them back into your barrels. You will be fine with 1/4 and 1/2 for 99% of all clay shoots.
6) Buy a barrel cleaning kit, with sticks etc. You need to run these through your barrels with the barrel cleaner, and then push kitchen roll through after to remove the gunk.
7) Store the gun assembled when cleaned in the gun safe with the recoil pad on the ground.
8) Snap caps are optional on today firearms, (i use them) but DONT buy the plastic crappy ones. Leave them in the gun when it is stored away.
9) Buy a decent Skeet Vest.
10) Buy a gun slip for transportation and make sure you have a trigger guard on the gun at all times when it is not in use. You will also need a lockable box separate to the gun for your cartridges. (ONLY during transportation of cartridges)

You have been given the trust to own and use a firearm, best to do things right

meathstevie wrote: »

Store it assembled, and load with snap caps and fire both barrels before you put it away. I don’t know of the top of my head if a Miroku or Browning needs recoil before you can fire the second barrel but if it does give the back of the stock a slap while you hold the gun.

As for storing a gun pointing downwards make sure that there’s nothing on the bottom of your safe that retains moisture because that’s guaranteed corrosion.

The MK38 is an Inertia driven action. Paul, give the recoil pad a good slap when you fire your first barrel to move the selector over to the next barrel before firing again. Make sure both barrels are fired before long periods of storage.

paulireland wrote: »

Well there is a hicup
I paid deposit for gun on the 16th and should have taken a week to get the serial no for the FCA as gun is being imported
Still no sign of it yet and dealer is not being very communicative:(

There should be no problem getting a serial number. Once the dealer gives a purchase order to the supplier (that actually has one in stock) a serial number should be given - it can be done over the phone!

paulireland wrote: »

Yes indeed
That seems to be the reason
RFD is working on it

If the dealer is casting his net to find one for you, which will include other dealers, it might be worth reminding him that you would prefer a left hand model.
There might be one out there!

Same thing I think happened when I applied for shotgun,got confirmation of application and following day grant letter in the post.Good luck with gun.