Action / Wood Maintenance

[Tyler Hunter]

I just purchased my first Parker and I am beyond excited. I have wanted one for a very long time. I was able to find a very nice VH in 12ga and want to make sure I have what I need to keep it in good shape.

Thoughts on what I should be using to clean the action, clean the barrels, lubricate the action, and maintain the wood.

Any and all options are greatly appreciated. I know Parker originally suggested 3-in-one but is anyone still using that?

Thank you!

[Frank Cronin]

I use a Ballistol spray can to lightly mist on to a sheepskin pad to wipe down the entire gun. For the barrels I do the same thing to saturate a patch and a few strokes with the cleaning rod. This removes all the carbon, fingerprints, and protects and I put it away.

[George Lang]

I agree with stub twist. Ballistol is the best all around product for gun care.

[Buddy Harrison]

I totally agree with both of the above posters. I would add that as far as the action goes, use a premium gun grease on areas of the action where metal rubs against metal. If the gun has any age on it at all, such areas are easily identifiable by displaying shiny areas of wear. As far as the wood goes, I've never had a problem wiping areas where sweaty/dirty hands may have handled it by lightly wiping those areas with a rag with a very light application of the Ballistol on it.

[Randy G Roberts]

For the hinge pin, knuckle, and other areas exposed to movement and friction.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Yep, Ballistol for me, and hinge pin grease.

[Andrew Sacco]

Ballistol or Clenzoil, I prefer the former. I have also used Rig grease for the hinge area and that stuff is very good. A small tub of that will last a lifetime.

[Dean Romig]

Ballistol and Rig for me as well. The hinge isn't the only metal-to-metal surface that needs the lubrication. The knuckle where the forend iron meets the frame, the sides of the lug, and one place that most everybody misses, the flat, yet somewhat curved forward face of the rearmost locking lug where it contacts the crossmember in the slot in the frame for the lug.





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[Howard Loewensteiner]

used a rag with rig for the last 50 years and works well for me.

[John Dallas]

+1 for RIG for all metal surfaces

[charlie cleveland]

I ve used wd - 40 for lots of years on all my guns no problems....charlie

[Chris Robenalt]

A little Hoppe's #9 oil goes a long ways on a silicon rag when wiping down a gun. Hoppe's #9 bore solvent to clean the barrels, a dab of #9 grease on the hinge and knuckle. My pops used it or Gunslick all his life and mine. The guns still look great. Don't over think it. Good maintenance is key!

Chris, AZ

[Tyler Hunter]

Thank for all the replies. Anyone putting linseed oil on the wood?

[Tom Flanigan]

I just purchased my first Parker and I am beyond excited. I have wanted one for a very long time. I was able to find a very nice VH in 12ga and want to make sure I have what I need to keep it in good shape.

Thoughts on what I should be using to clean the action, clean the barrels, lubricate the action, and maintain the wood.

Any and all options are greatly appreciated. I know Parker originally suggested 3-in-one but is anyone still using that?

Thank you!

I'm still using 3 in 1 oil. There are better products out there but for me its traditional. I used to like the smell of it when I watched my grandfather clean his guns. I've used it all my life because of childhood memories.

[Keith Doty]

Rig on "wear" parts and very light Hoppes gun oil OR 3in1 on all other metal surfaces and in bores for my nice guns. Got a couple of "saltwater" Winchester 1400s I use on the bay and marsh. Hose'em with Corrosion-X TIL THEY DRIP and wip'em down! I tear them down once a year, run them thru the Safety Kleen at my shop, hoe out the sand, dog hair, oyster shell, and unidentifiable BS, spray'em down with the CX and shoot'em some more. One I've had for 30+ years and shot countless rounds of steel shot thru. Ugly enough to bring tears to a mans eyes but deadly to ducks and keeps my fine guns out of the salt!