IVGunsmith with more on Barrels, Cleaning and Accuracy

Hi there… let’s talk more about barrels. Us Old-Timers say, the heart of the gun is it’s action, but the accuracy is in the barrel. I’ve seen beautiful looking barrels shoot horrible and pitted old Mausers and Springfields shoot amazingly well.

Accuracy is dependent on how well the barrel was originally made. Most, not all, modern barrels give good results if quality control is part of their manufacture. Once in awhile, one gets through and most manufacturers honor the warranty.

Barrels are made to standards today that couldn’t be achieved years ago. Many old match barrels would likely not pass the standards required by most of today’s manufacturers and modern match barrels are much higher quality than could be achieved by the old techniques and tools.

Steels have also improved by leaps and bounds and give service lives much longer than some of the older types of steels. Proper cleaning and storage help to keep your firearm operating properly and accurately for many years. Truth is that most modern firearms will outlast their initial and subsequent owners with proper care and cleaning. Though I have revived a few guns that we’re amazingly filthy, but well-made.

There are lots of products out there but brushes, patches, solvents and oil, along with some elbow grease are still the best for long firearm life. Powder residue, corrosive priming, leading, copper fouling, plastic wad residue, moisture, dirt, filth, sweat and the myriad of things that our guns are exposed to are all enemies of aluminum, wood, plastic, carbon and nickel steel and even stainless steel. Your firearms need your help, cleanliness improves accuracy!

Have a great rest of the day, stay safe and take care… happy shooting everyone.