Cleaning a gun is not as fun as shooting it, but it is vital to maintain your firearm for it to continue operating optimally. A Browning BAR is a highly accurate gun, which could be why many shooters use it for hunting.
But like all other firearms, it does require cleaning. Although it is tasking and time-consuming to clean a Browning BAR, particularly if you have to disassemble it, it is necessary if you want to keep hitting your targets.
A dirty gun can reduce its accuracy and overall performance.
An extremely dirty rifle can result in malfunction problems, which is not ideal because this could lead to serious injury.
If you are a new owner of a Browning BAR and you don’t know how to go about cleaning it, read on.
Step 1:
The first important step when gun cleaning is to remove the magazine. Never start cleaning a loaded gun as it can cause severe injury to yourself or people near you.
Check to see if the chamber is empty, and to do this, pull the operation handle backward. If there is a live round, it will be ejected. Once you have done this, make sure that the safety is in “on safe” position.
Step 2:
Pull the bolt backward using the operating handle; at this point, if you have already removed the magazine, you will need to open the bolt and, with your hand, push the bolt release lever upwards to lock the action open.
Step 3:
Take your cleaning rod and wrap a cleaning patch on it and pass it through the barrel. Do this a couple of times to make sure that you remove all the dirt, grime, oil, and powder residue. Be careful not to hit the crown with the rod to prevent damaging this area. Any damage to this section can significantly reduce the accuracy of your firearm.
Step 4:
Check the bore and chamber for carbon fouling. You may see some powder residue which is expected if you have fired a couple of rounds. To remove the residue, use a cleaning patch and your cleaning rod. Make sure to wet the patch with a gun cleaning solvent first before you attach it to your cleaning rod.
But if the carbon fouling is heavy, you need a bore brush to scrub it off. Therefore, apply some gun cleaning solvent on the brush and then scrub the bore and chamber as best as possible to loosen up the fouling.
Step 5:
Once you are done scrubbing the bore, take a clean patch, attach it to your cleaning rod, and wipe the bore dry. Then take an oiled patch and pass it through the bore. Don’t use too much oil as excessive oil can attract dirt.
Step 6:
Make sure to clean the receiver as well. To do this, you need to remove the trigger group first. Ensure that your gun is unloaded, depress the bolt release lever to move the breechblock forward, push the trigger guard pins on either side of the receiver, hold the trigger guard, and take out the trigger group from the receiver.
Remove any oil, grime, or dirt in the receiver and the other parts using a wet cleaning patch, and then use an oiled patch to coat the cleaned pieces. Avoid pouring too much oil into the action to prevent the oil from getting into the wood. If this happens, the wood may warp or soften.
Always use gun cleaning solvents, cleaning patches, and oiled designed for your rifle.
Step 7:
Wipe all the metal parts with an oiled patch or rag. A rag would be easier to use since you are cleaning a long gun. Remove fingerprints as moisture can accumulate in these areas, which may result in rusting or corrosion. Make sure to wipe down the exterior of your gun properly before storage.
Step 8:
Wipe the wood surfaces with a light oiled rag or use quality furniture and wood polish. Doing this will enhance the durability and beauty of your Browning BAR.
Step 9:
Once you are done with lubing all the parts of your rifle, the next is to reassemble. Make sure to do it properly to avoid malfunction problems that may result in severe injury.
Safety Precautions for Handling a Browning Bar
A Browning BAR is a powerful rifle, and as such, it should be handled with care.
Careless handling of any gun can cause severe injury.
Therefore, when cleaning a gun, make sure to take all the necessary measures to prevent injury.
- Always keep your gun’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction even if it is not loaded, and never test your rifle when it is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction.
- Never transport your gun when it is loaded, even if it’s in a gun case.
- Before you check your gun for a barrel obstruction, make sure that it is not loaded, and the chamber and the feeds mechanism are empty.
- Always place the safety in the “On Safe” position and ensure that the chamber is empty before checking the barrel for obstructions.
- Store your gun and ammunition separately where no one can access them. Never store a loaded weapon for safety reasons.
- Use the correct ammunition for your gun. If you preload your ammo with gunpowder, make sure to use the suitable powder at the right measurements to avoid accidents.
- Do not place your fingers on the trigger when loading and unloading your firearm.
- Wear eye and ear protection when shooting your rifle
- Be careful not to drop a loaded gun as it may accidentally fire.
- Never handle a loaded gun when under the influence of alcohol or medication.
Final Remarks
No matter what type of firearm you have, always respect it. Guns are exciting to shoot, but they are also dangerous, and when handled poorly, this can result in injury. Follow our guide when cleaning your Browning BAR and use your gun’s instruction manual when disassembling and reassembling your gun to avoid any problems.
