How To Clean A Remington 870 20 Gauge

Alright, so you've got yourself a Remington 870 20 gauge, huh? Excellent choice! That's a solid shotgun, a real workhorse. But like any good tool, it needs a little TLC now and then. Think of it as giving your trusty steed a good grooming. Trust me, a clean gun is a happy gun, and a happy gun shoots straight (well, straighter anyway!). So, let's talk about how to clean your 870. Don't worry, it's not rocket science, even though it might sound intimidating at first.

Gather Your Supplies (Like a Gun Cleaning Grocery Run!)

First things first, you need to assemble your cleaning arsenal. Think of it as prepping your workspace before tackling a messy recipe. You wouldn't try baking a cake without flour, right? Same principle applies here. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cleaning rod. Preferably one with a rotating handle. Makes life so much easier.
• Bore brushes. 20 gauge, naturally. Don't try squeezing a 12 gauge brush in there, it won't end well (trust me, I've heard stories).
• Patches. Lots and lots of patches. Think of them like paper towels for your gun. You'll be surprised how many you go through.
• Gun cleaning solvent. Hoppe's No. 9 is a classic for a reason, but feel free to experiment. Just make sure it's designed for firearms. Don't go using WD-40, that's a whole other can of worms.
• Gun oil. Again, something specifically for firearms. A little goes a long way. We're lubricating, not deep-frying.
• A cleaning mat or old towel. Protect your work surface! Unless you want your kitchen table smelling like gunpowder, that is.
• Cotton swabs (Q-tips). For getting into those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Think of them as tiny cleaning ninjas.
• Old toothbrush. Perfect for scrubbing stubborn grime. Just don't use your actual toothbrush, unless you're really dedicated to gun cleaning.
• Safety glasses. Protect those peepers! Solvent in the eye is no fun, believe me.
• Gloves (optional). If you don't want solvent on your hands, gloves are a good idea. But honestly, who am I kidding, you'll probably still get some on you.

Got all that? Good! Now we're ready to move on to the fun part (well, maybe not fun, but definitely necessary).

Disassembly: Taking Your 870 Apart (Without Losing Any Pieces!)

Okay, deep breaths. Disassembling a gun can seem scary, but the 870 is actually pretty straightforward. Just follow these steps carefully, and you'll be fine. And remember, if you're ever unsure, consult your owner's manual! It's there for a reason.

1. Make sure the gun is unloaded! This is the most important step. Seriously. Double-check, triple-check, then check again. There should be absolutely no shells in the chamber or magazine tube. Treat every gun as if it’s loaded, even if you know it isn’t. This is not a drill.
2. Remove the barrel. Unscrew the magazine cap (the thing at the end of the magazine tube) and slide the barrel off. It should come off fairly easily. If it doesn't, don't force it! Something might be stuck.
3. Remove the bolt assembly. Push the action release lever (usually located near the trigger guard) and slide the fore-end (the part you pump) back. The bolt assembly should come out with it. It might take a little wiggle.
4. Remove the trigger group. This is usually held in place by two pins. Push them out using a punch or a small screwdriver. Be careful not to lose them! They're small and easy to misplace (ask me how I know...).

Alright, you should now have your 870 broken down into its major components. Congratulations! You're halfway there. Now, let's get to the cleaning.

Cleaning Time: Getting Down and Dirty (But In a Good Way!)

Now for the part where we get to make things sparkle (well, as much as a shotgun can sparkle). This is where the elbow grease comes in. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! (That's what the gloves are for, remember?).

Cleaning the Barrel: Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

The barrel is arguably the most important part to keep clean. Residue buildup can affect accuracy and even cause damage. So, let's give it some love.

1. Attach a bore brush to your cleaning rod. Make sure it's the right size!
2. Apply some cleaning solvent to the brush. Don't overdo it, just a little bit will do.
3. Push the brush through the barrel from the chamber end. Go all the way through, then pull it back. Repeat this several times. You'll probably see a lot of black gunk coming out. That's a good sign! It means you're doing it right.
4. Switch to a clean patch. Attach it to the cleaning rod and push it through the barrel. Keep using clean patches until they come out clean. This might take a while, so be patient. It's like wiping a messy table, you have to keep going until it's clean.
5. Inspect the barrel. Hold it up to the light and look through it. You should see a smooth, shiny bore. If you still see residue, repeat the cleaning process.

Cleaning the Bolt Assembly: Tiny Parts, Big Impact

The bolt assembly is where a lot of the action happens (literally). It's also where a lot of gunk can accumulate. So, pay attention to detail here.

1. Spray the bolt assembly with cleaning solvent. Be generous, but not wasteful.
2. Use your old toothbrush to scrub away any carbon buildup. Pay particular attention to the bolt face and the extractor. These areas are prone to getting dirty.
3. Use cotton swabs to clean hard-to-reach areas. Those little nooks and crannies can hide a surprising amount of grime.
4. Wipe the bolt assembly clean with a rag. Make sure to remove all traces of solvent and carbon.

Cleaning the Trigger Group: A Sensitive Subject

The trigger group is a delicate mechanism, so be careful not to damage anything. Don't go spraying solvent directly into the trigger group, as this can wash away the lubrication and cause problems. Think of it as needing a gentle touch, not a firehose.

1. Use a cotton swab dampened with solvent to clean the trigger group. Focus on removing any visible dirt or grime.
2. Use compressed air to blow out any remaining debris. This is a great way to get into those hard-to-reach areas.
3. Wipe the trigger group clean with a rag. Again, be careful not to damage anything.

Cleaning the Receiver and Magazine Tube: The Big Picture

The receiver and magazine tube are the main body of the gun. They don't usually get as dirty as the barrel or bolt assembly, but they still need to be cleaned.

1. Wipe down the receiver and magazine tube with a rag dampened with solvent. Pay attention to any areas where you see dirt or grime.
2. Use a cotton swab to clean hard-to-reach areas. Around the action release lever and the ejection port are good places to focus on.
3. Wipe the receiver and magazine tube clean with a dry rag. Make sure to remove all traces of solvent.

Lubrication: Keeping Things Running Smoothly (Like Butter!)

Now that everything is clean, it's time to lubricate. This will help prevent rust and corrosion, and it will also make the gun function more smoothly. But remember, less is more! We're not trying to create an oil slick here.

1. Apply a light coat of gun oil to the bolt assembly. Focus on the areas that move, such as the bolt rails and the firing pin.
2. Apply a light coat of gun oil to the inside of the receiver. Again, focus on the areas where the bolt assembly moves.
3. Apply a drop of gun oil to the trigger group. Be very careful not to over-lubricate! Just a tiny drop will do.
4. Run a lightly oiled patch through the barrel. This will help protect the bore from rust.

Reassembly: Putting It All Back Together (Without Extra Parts!)

Okay, deep breaths again. Now it's time to put everything back together. Just follow the disassembly steps in reverse, and you should be fine. And remember, if you have any extra parts left over, you did something wrong! (Just kidding... mostly).

1. Reinstall the trigger group. Push the pins back in to secure it. Make sure they're fully seated.
2. Reinstall the bolt assembly. Slide it back into the receiver, making sure it's properly aligned.
3. Reinstall the barrel. Slide it onto the magazine tube and tighten the magazine cap. Make sure it's snug, but don't overtighten.

Function Check: Making Sure Everything Works (Before You Hit the Range!)

Before you head to the range, it's important to perform a function check to make sure everything is working properly. This will help prevent malfunctions and ensure your safety.

1. Cycle the action several times. Make sure the bolt moves smoothly and that the shells eject properly (use dummy rounds for this!).
2. Check the trigger pull. Make sure the trigger feels normal and that the firing pin releases when you pull the trigger.
3. Engage and disengage the safety. Make sure the safety functions properly and that it prevents the trigger from being pulled when engaged.

If everything checks out, congratulations! You've successfully cleaned your Remington 870 20 gauge. Now go out and enjoy it! Just remember to clean it regularly, and it will serve you well for years to come. And hey, maybe next time you can invite a friend over and make it a cleaning party! (Okay, maybe not. But you get the idea.)