Gun Cleaning

Above, Hoppe's No. 9 gun oil and gun solvent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a shoot, some people may think that cleaning their firearms is tedious and/or boring. I am not one of them. 

I like the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 gun solvent, I don't mind doing the necessary gun cleaning. I have about five Hoppe's gun cleaning kits that I have accumulated over 40 years. I also have two Winchester gun cleaning kits as well that I picked up a year ago in Lake Havasu City. They were on sale. 

I use the cleaning task to inventory the supplies, especially patches. Right now, I have plenty of patches of differing sizes. 

Before locking the guns away after cleaning, I give each a good oiling to prevent rust. Guns that I bought 40 years ago have no signs of any rust as I have always oiled them. Living in a semi-arid environment also helps. 

Gun Cleaning

Above, the Winchester 62A before disassembly. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I've said before, I love the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 in the morning.

A while ago, I cleaned the rifles used during yesterday's plinking. I limited myself to shooting the Winchester 62A .22 and the Winchester 94 .30-30. 

Above, the Winchester 62A after disassembly. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got both cleaned and oiled this morning. I took apart the Winchester 92A as a couple of patches got stuck inside the receiver. It was easy to take apart and put back together. After taking out the patches, I did a thorough cleaning inside. It probably hadn't been taken apart and cleaned this extensively since my grandfather had it. 

Above, the Winchester 94 before cleaning. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Now both rifles are ready to shoot again.

Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Worked Great

Above, cleaning the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I was able to fire several shot shells through the Winchester Model 12 shotgun I bought earlier this year.

The shotgun is a take-down model made in 1919, making it over 105 years old. Since it is a take-down, it has to be put together and have its components in the correct configurations.

I couldn't fire it the last time I tried (back in April), so I took it to Loeffler's Guns, Etc. in Grants to see what was causing it. They showed me how to put it together and configure it. I videoed their instructions for future reference (glad I thought of doing so).

It operated just fine. I actually enjoyed shooting it along with the other shotgun I brought along yesterday, the Remington 870 Express. 

It is probably more appropriate for trap shooting than the Remington. I will give it a try the next time I go to Lake Havasu. 

I was very pleased at its performance. No wonder it is a popular shotgun.

Love The Smell of Hoppe's In The Morning...

Above, cleaning the Remington 870 Express shotgun. 

As usual, following target shooting, the time comes for cleaning and oiling the guns to keep them in good working order. It's a task I don't mind doing since I like the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 solvent.

Above, about to clean the Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I took care of that this morning after I took a quick jaunt to Gallup for some grocery shopping.

So now, the guns are ready for the next session of shooting.

Love The Smell of Hoppes No. 9 In The Morning

Since it is a whopping 30° outside, I will be deferring working on The Beast (motorhome) until tomorrow.

Instead, I cleaned and oiled my Ruger 9mm pistol and Remington shotgun. I had to do it anyway, so I might as well get it done. It was something to do since it is too cold outside.

Cold Weather = Gun Cleaning

Since it is 34° outside (too cold for Jeep driving), I figured that it was time to do some gun cleaning and oiling.

Since I did the rifles a few weeks ago, got out some of my pistols for their cleaning and oiling. I have others, but I decided to start off with these.

Above, the first for cleaning and oiling was the Ruger P95 9mm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, next was my old Rossi .38 Special that I keep loaded with snake shot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, lastly, was my dad's old Jennings J-22 .22 pocket pistol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While working on the Jennings .22, I remembered a time my dad was with me (I was driving) and heading to my Tarzana apartment and some Bozo down the block got upset over something (as it was over 20 years ago, I don't remember what) and got into a fit of road rage while we were waiting for my gate to open. 

While the dude was busy raging at my window, my dad was prepared with the Jennings, in case he tried something. I was unaware of this until after the dude took off. Ah, memories!

I love the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 in the morning. Smells of...freedom!

Rifle Cleaning & Oiling Day

Since I had nothing to do today until I have to take Larry Lucier into Gallup for his weekly physical therapy, I figured it was a good time to clean and oil my rifles.

First, I did the Manton shotgun and then the Winchester 94 and Ruger 10/22.  

Maybe next week I'll clean and oil my handguns.

Above, the Winchester 94 and Ruger 10/22 rifles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Love the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 in the morning. Smells of...victory.

Shooting Day

Above, today's shooting set-up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since today's temperature was a nice and comfy 63°, I decided to head out to the community's shooting area to do some plinking with the Winchester 94.

Above, the wooden spool I used as a shooting table. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although there was a breeze, it was manageable, compared to the last attempt a few months ago.

I set up the target about 50 yards from the big wooden spools that serve as tables for shooting. They are getting pretty weathered and hit by termites and irresponsible shooters who use them as targets instead of tables.

Above, getting the target ready for positioning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I also had my Ruger P95 9mm pistol with me, in case I wanted to shoot with it as well. Turns out that shooting with the Winchester was sufficient for today.

It is my understanding that the property that the shooting area is at is part of the Cibola National Forest, with the forest service allowing this area to be set aside for target shooting.

Above, the target after the first six shots. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I finished off a box of cartridges and was pleased at the results on the target. This was only the second time I shot with the Winchester. The Winchester 94 has quite a kick to it with the .30-30 ammo it takes. I did not use a scope, I just used the sight that is built on the rifle.

Above, I was pleased with the pattern towards the end of my shoot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I was finished shooting, I headed back home to clean the gun (love the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 solvent). I then took a brief break and then went out to do some Jeep driving. Why let a nice day go to waste?

Above, yours truly at the shooting area today.