Do you shoot with oil in your barrel?

[Mr. Gillious]

I asked my buddy this when we were on our way to the range.

I told him whenever I go to the range I run a dry patch thru my barrel. When my guns are not in use, I leave the inside of the barrel lightly oiled to resist corrosion (and also loosen up residual dirt that I wasn't able to get before storing it). I asked him if he had the same habit and he said he doesn't run dry patches before shooting.

I can't remember why I run dry patches thru my barrels before I go shooting. I'm assuming I read it some where. I can only think that the reason that I do this is

1. I have no reason to have oil in the barrel if i'm going to shoot it
2. If there's oil in the barrel it will make the barrel dirtier
3. I would only have a lightly coated oiled barrel if I was in damp conditions (like when I went hunting and it was drizzling)

and 4. Running a dry patch takes out residual dirt

I'm just curious, what are peoples thoughts, habits, and concerns?

[NastyNate]

I actually put a light coat of oil in the barrel before I shoot. I find it's easier to clean after shooting.

[The War Wagon]

Since I clean and store them with a light layer of oil, than yes - I SHOOT them the same, when I take them back out again.

Might get more smoke on the first shot... and that's about it.

[North Bay Guy]

I always run a dry patch through at the end of each cleaning. I never leave a coat of oil in the barrel, I mean come on it's oil, so even after I run a dry patch, there's a bit of a sheen left behind. In my experience that light sheen is enough to prevent rust, I've never had an issue. No, I never oil the barrel before shooting.

[Spyder]

I guess it could raise pressure a bit, since liquid doesn't compress, but I don't do it.

[VictorFranko]

IMHO, if you need to run a dry patch down the barrel before shooting, you are storing the gun with too much oil in the barrel.

[diveRN]

IMHO, if you need to run a dry patch down the barrel before shooting, you are storing the gun with too much oil in the barrel.

^ This.

I can't see the need to remove a super thin coat of lightweight gun oil. After shooting, burned and unburned powder are going to leave more residue behind than any trace amounts of burned oil.

The ONLY reason I could see to remove any left over film would be in situations where a hyperaccurate, cold-bore shot would be required such as in military/police sniping or certain hunting applications.

[bruss01]

When you run a dry patch you are still leaving a film of oil behind, the same as if you douse your hands in oil and then wipe them off with a paper towel. If it's a volatile oil a certain amount of it may then evaporate over time. You shouldn't need a heavy coat of oil unless this is long term storage in a non-climate controlled place. I run a dry patch as the final step of my cleaning and lubrication. Wet oil sitting in the barrel will migrate over time, eventually draining down into the action where it can become gummy.

[sl0re10]

No; I'd run a barrel snake through it on a rifle.

I only other gun I shoot often these days is a BP revolver; I run caps only (no powder or bullet) through it to burn off the oil. I had some wadding come out on fire once when I didn't....

Maybe I'll try something similar on the rifle. Make a few rounds with only a primer.

[pterrell]

Always when I'm cleaning I oil (really clp) my patch before running it through. I get a light later on the barrel and it gathers up a good amount of the carbon without having to punch the bore and wear the barrel further.

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[steel30]

Shoot, clean, light oil for storage, shoot again...no patch before next session

[TheExiled]

I do not patch before shooting again

[The Gleam]

Why risk an overpressurizing event? Just think of why oil is used in an engine; not only to lubricate, but to also help the piston rings create a seal to build pressure in the cylinder.

There is no question that same aspect can happen in a barrel between a bullet and it's surrounding bore; that presents the possibility that a higher-pressure seal could occur, and if I can prevent it, so be it. Definitely clean out the excess oil, of any amount. Many of my rare guns that I do occasionally shoot are stored with sufficient supply of oil in the barrel, so before shooting, I always run a dry patch or bore snake through the barrel.

I think it's a good practice anyway; anyone that shoots knows you should thoroughly check the barrel anyway, and there are plenty of other things that can get down into a barrel inadvertently during storage, even inside a safe - and I've seen it happen. Unseen grit in the rifling, tiny screws, small parts, even spiders building thick bubble-like webs down inside a barrel (not on any of mine, but I bought a French MAS 49/56 that way - got it home, and down in the barrel was the thickest obstruction of a trap-web I've ever seen - harboring a live quarter-diameter sized yellowish looking spider; that is, until a mixture of CLP and a cleaning rod did him in).

[Mayor McRifle]

I think it's a good practice anyway; anyone that shoots knows you should thoroughly check the barrel anyway, and there are plenty of other things that can get down into a barrel inadvertently during storage, even inside a safe - and I've seen it happen. Unseen grit in the rifling, tiny screws, small parts, even spiders building thick bubble-like webs down inside a barrel (not on any of mine, but I bought a French MAS 49/56 that way - got it home, and down in the barrel was the thickest obstruction of a trap-web I've ever seen - harboring a live quarter-diameter sized yellowish looking spider; that is, until a mixture of CLP and a cleaning rod did him in).

I know several people who run a mop down the bore before shooting for that very reason. It's not a bad idea.

[JDay]

I guess it could raise pressure a bit, since liquid doesn't compress, but I don't do it.

Liquids do compress. Water doesn't compress at surface on earth but if you go to the depths of the ocean you will find that water is compressed somewhat.