Essential Tips and Accessories for Cleaning Air Rifles

We all enjoy taking our air rifles out of their cases and heading to the range! But there is one crucial factor to keep in mind to avoid ruining the enjoyment of sport shooting: the proper cleaning and maintenance of our rifle.

We have already discussed some maintenance tips here. We have already covered some maintenance tips and care for air rifles. Today, we’ll discuss in more detail the cleaning process and the importance of removing dirt, debris, and rust that can accumulate over time on the various components of a rifle.

How often should you clean an air rifle?

“‘If it’s dirty, clean it!’ might seem like a good rule for cleaning our rifles, but much of the dirt is not visible.”

Therefore, the frequency of cleaning your air rifle depends on how often and under what conditions you use it. As a general rule, you should clean your air rifle after every 500 shots or every three months. If you use your air rifle in dusty or dirty conditions, you may need to clean it more frequently.

To simplify the cleaning process, you can look for cleaning kits that come with all the necessary accessories.

In the following sections, we provide more details on how to clean some of the main components of your rifle, which cleaning accessories are recommended, and the suggested frequency for each component.

What not to do when cleaning an air rifle?

Before discussing best practices, let’s start with some warnings about what you should never do during this cleaning process:

• Do not use water on the main components! Using wet cloths can lead to rust forming inside and outside the barrel. Consider alternatives like isopropyl alcohol, making sure not to use it excessively.
• Avoid using petroleum-based products (including WD-40), as they can damage the seals of your air rifle.
• Do not use abrasive cleaning products or solvents, as they can damage the finish of your rifle.
• Do not leave cleaning patches inside the barrel, as they may become lodged and cause damage.
• Do not attempt to clean or disassemble components of your rifle if you are not sure how to do it correctly. In such cases, you should seek help from a specialist.

How to Clean the Barrel of an Air Rifle

Maintaining the barrel of your air rifle is crucial for its performance and longevity. Let’s take a look at the details for both the interior and exterior of the barrel.

Cleaning the Interior of the Barrel

The interior of the barrel is the pathway through which the projectile travels, so cleaning it is essential for

• Accuracy: A clean barrel ensures a correct trajectory for your projectiles, leading to more consistent and accurate shots.
• Longevity: Removing debris and preventing corrosion help to extend the lifespan of your air rifle.

Necessary Accessories:

• Cleaning Patches (such as Gamo Quick Cleaning Pellets)**: These specially designed pellets have a felt surface, similar to a brush, which scrubs the interior of the barrel as they pass through. This is the simplest and safest way to clean the interior of the barrel.

• Cleaning rod (like the Gamo Steel Cleaning Rod): This is an alternative tool if you prefer using a rod or brush instead of cleaning patches.

Discover these and other cleaning accessories in our online store.

Important note: Never lubricate the inside of the barrel. Oil can attract dirt and debris, leading to residue buildup and potentially damaging the mechanisms of your air rifle.

Cleaning steps:

• Safety first: Ensure that your rifle is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before starting.
• Option 1: Cleaning patches 
  ✓ Load a single cleaning patch, just as you would with a regular projectile
  ✓ Fire the cleaning patch as usual
• Option 2: Cleaning rod (optional)
  ✓ Attach the brush to the cleaning rod
  ✓ Carefully insert the cleaning rod with the brush into the breech and push it through the barrel. Avoid using excessive force, as it may damage the barrel.

Cleaning frequency: You should clean the inside of the barrel after finishing a tin of pellets. This frequency ensures the right balance between keeping the barrel clean and avoiding unnecessary wear from excessive cleaning.

Cleaning the exterior of the barrel

The exterior of the barrel is exposed to the elements, making it prone to rust and wear. Regular maintenance helps protect the metal and keeps your air rifle looking its best.

Necessary accessories:

• A clean, soft cloth: Use it to wipe down the barrel after each use.
• Rust protection spray or silicone gun oil: These products create a protective barrier against moisture and rust.

(Discover these and other cleaning accessories in our online store).

Cleaning steps: 

• Clean after use: After each shooting session, use a clean, soft cloth to wipe down the exterior of the barrel, removing any dirt, moisture, or fingerprints.
• Apply protective coating: If desired, apply a light layer of rust protection spray or silicone gun oil to the exterior of the barrel. Use a cloth to spread the oil evenly, creating a thin layer.

Cleaning frequency: Wipe down the exterior of the barrel after each use, especially if you have shot in humid or wet conditions.

How to Clean the Sight of an Air Rifle

The sight on your air rifle is a precision instrument that plays a crucial role in the accuracy with which you hit the target. Regular cleaning is essential for:

• Clear vision: A clean sight lens provides a clear and unobstructed view of your target, enhancing accuracy and shot placement.
• Longevity: Removing dust, debris, and fingerprints helps prevent scratches and damage to the lens, extending the lifespan of your sight.
• Prevention of fogging: Humidity and condensation can fog up the sight lens, making it difficult to see the target. Cleaning the lens can help prevent this issue.

Necessary accessories:

• Microfiber cloth: This soft cloth is ideal for cleaning delicate lenses without scratching or leaving marks.
• Lens cleaning solution (optional): A specialized lens cleaning solution can help remove fingerprints and more stubborn stains. However, a microfiber cloth is often sufficient for routine cleaning.
• Soft brush or compressed air: These tools can be used to remove dust and debris from the lens surface.

Cleaning steps:

1. Remove loose debris: Use a soft brush or compressed air to gently blow away dust and debris from the lens surface. Avoid using compressed air, as the propellant can damage the lens coating.
2. Clean with a microfiber cloth: Gently wipe the lens surface with a microfiber cloth using a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way outwards.
3. Use a lens cleaning solution (optional): If there are persistent fingerprints or stains on the lens, apply a small amount of lens cleaning solution to the microfiber cloth and gently clean the lens. Make sure to use a lens cleaning solution that is safe for coated lenses.

Cleaning frequency: Clean the lens as needed or whenever you notice dust, debris, fingerprints, or stains on it.

Additional tips:

• Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials on the lens, as they can damage the coating.

• If the sight becomes wet, dry it immediately with a microfiber cloth to prevent water spots.

• Store your air rifle with the sight caps on to protect the lenses from dust and debris.

How to Clean and Maintain the Body of an Air Rifle

Many air rifles are made with a wooden stock. Although these materials are usually varnished for protection, they can be susceptible to wear, especially when exposed to the elements. Proper care and maintenance will help keep the exterior of your air rifle looking good for many years.

Necessary accessories: Regular maintenance can be performed with just a soft cloth.

Cleaning and Maintenance Steps:

• After each use, wipe down the body of the rifle with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust, dirt, and fingerprints. If the wood is particularly dirty, slightly dampen the cloth and clean the surface, then immediately dry it with a dry cloth.

• If your air rifle has been exposed to rain or high humidity, dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Moisture can cause the wood to swell and warp, so it’s important to remove it as quickly as possible.

• Storage: Store your air rifle in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Avoid keeping it in a case for extended periods, as this can lead to moisture accumulation and mold growth.

Simple yet effective actions

Properly cleaning an air rifle is not a daunting task! On the contrary—it can be done easily in just a few minutes, as long as you have the necessary cleaning accessories.

In Mundilar’s online store, you’ll find many of the cleaning accessories mentioned in this article, as well as cleaning kits that ensure you don’t forget any important items.

If you’re unsure about which cleaning accessories you need, our specialized team is always available to provide advice via email at [email protected].