Parkers in the rain
 

I know this sounds dumb but, should I be concerned about getting my Parker a little wet? Committed to go bird hunting this Saturday and showers are forecast. I want to bring my VH12 (good condition -- nothing special). Also just wondering, would some water in the barrels be a safety issue? Thanks Paul

Paul, I have had a few Parkers soaking wet and I am sure many of us that hunt our beloved guns have also. After the rain event clean your gun as you would after any shooting session paying attention to the nooks and cranny's like ribs etc. then use a nice wipe down with Ballistol. This stuff is amazing and I have never had a speck of rust after using Ballistol. And oh ya....use it on the wood too!

I've sat out with a Parker in the absolute pouring rain and never had a problem as long as I cleaned and oiled them when I got home. These guns were made to be used, not as a collectible, people seem to forget that sometimes.

DLH

Paul,
Destry and Dave are correct. You can't hurt them by getting them wet. First off don't put it in your gun case wet. Wipe it down first by drying it with any absorbent toweling then with any good oil. When you get home break the gun down and allow it to air dry overnight (stock-receiver, forend and barrels) laid out on an incline so they can drain off any remaining moisture. Next day wipe them down again, reassemble and you are good to go. By the way I see you are from Md. Where are you hunting this weekend? Good luck and have fun. Daryl

If you're really worried about it, wax it before you go hunting. All of my damascus and twist bbld guns are waxed and I used to wax my pump when I used it for waterfowl.

Double Lab is spot-on for technique. But if it were me, I would not put Ballistol on any wood finish, per Autumn Daze suggestion. It's just me, but if something is good on steel, I can't see it being good on wood finish.

Best, Kensal

paul take destrey advice and take that gun a hunting rain or shine.... charlie

Kensal,Thank You for your opinion. Ballistol was invented by the german military during WW1 and is safe for wood as well as steel. I have used it on a cotton cleaning patch to wipe my guns down for the last 10+ years to no ill effect. I use it as a light treatment before putting any gun away. Another feature that I like about it is that handling a gun in humid weather I have never had a problem with those nasty little finger prints of rust that sometimes show up.

Ballistol is also a great bug repellant, because it stinks so well.

Paul, my guns---Parkers included---are slopped over with salt and fresh water all the time, down the barrels, everywhere. They were made for it. Just clean them properly---as above.