Can I clean my 20 Ga. shotgun with WD40?

Question

If not, why? It even says it is for firearms on the can, and it keeps moisture out and helps with rust.

Answer 1

You "Can" use WD-40 to clean your guns but that does not mean you "Should". My grandfather used to take care of red ant mounds with a cup of diesel oil......it seemed to work but there were a lot of bad side effects to doing it.

WD-40 was developed as a "Water Displacement" product for electric components. Like if you are old enough to remember cars with distributor caps and points.

First off, WD40 does not clean powder residue and copper or lead fouling very well. Use a proper gun cleaning solvent.

Next, WD40 leaves an oily silicone film on your gun metal that will become gummy over time and build up in crevices. It can damage some plastics and can damage some wood finishes.

Most importantly, WD-40 is not a proper lubricant for guns. It is not made to lubricate under high heat or pressure. It will also evaporate off a stored gun and leave it unprotected from rust. If you get WD40 on your ammo, it could ruin it as it is a penetrating product.

Please, use a gun cleaner and a proper gun lubricant and protectant. If you want an all-in-one product use something like Breakfree CLP or something similar.

Answer 2

Hmm, I think I've answered this question several times before. JD is right, wd 40 is not for firearms use. It does not provide the right lubricant protection, can destroy a good stock, smokes and stinks when hot etc. It was developed to protect electrical systems on trident missiles. WD stands for water displacer and the 40 means it was try number 40 to get it to do what they wanted. It does work pretty well as a penetrating fluid to free up rusty bolts, I used to use it extensively to help loosen bearings frozen to a shaft in an air impeller. Stick with break free, or another top oil.lube designed for firearms. I prefer breakfree. It cleans, lubes and protects the firearm and when it dries, it leaves a dry lubricant on the firearm. Even the military prefers it except in sand like in Iraq, there, they use a dry graphite lubricant that won't attract and hold the talcum powder like sand there.

Answer 3

The size information is posted already.. so I will just go for the opinion. I am not really sure why the .410 is still around. You have to be a very good wing shot to hit with it. I peters out range-wise and doesnt throw enough shot to be reliable unless you are just about perfect wit it. I'd just as soon shoot a 20 or even a 12... high brass heavy shot 20 g can recoil nearly as much as a mild 12 gauge if your shotgun does not fit correctly oe your head is off the stock. .410 shotgun shells are the most expensive of-the-shelf... they run about double what a box of 20 or 12 costs too.... low demand-higher cost item.

Answer 4

It is not the best thing to use. It will do the job but there are better products out there for cleaning a gun. Where WD-40 excells is in displacing water. That is what WD stands for. Unfortunately, it provides very little rust protection. Use a good bore cleaner to clean the bore. My preference for the outside of the gun is a microcrystalline wax such as Renaissance Wax. It is available at better furniture stores. Museums use it to protect metal surfaces. I have found it to be an excellent protective non-greasy coat for the outside of my guns. For the inside of the bore, I perfer one of the gun oils that you can buy at most any sporting goods stores that handle guns and accessories. If you get a bunch of unburned powder in some of the tight places, what I have found to work quite well is brake cleaner in a spray can. I just spray it into the gun's action and it flushes out any unburned powder and othe gritty crud. I follow it with WD-40 and follow that with some gun oil. This is a great way to clean a dirty .22 rimfire rifle. They are notorious for getting a bunch of unburned powder and lead particles in the action.

Answer 5

As a Gunsmith, I don't recommend anyone use WD40 on firearms. ANY Firearms. Just because the "can" says WD40 is good for firearms, doesn't make it necessarily so. It's not a "true" lubricant for firearms. It can harm wooden stocks and grip finishes.... It is designed for the displacement of water and moisture only...Not to be used as or confused with a lubricant.....It's ability to lubricate is minimal at best and it can actually thicken and cause residue build up and dirt to stick to internal parts of firearms mechanisms. You should use a produce designed "specifically" for firearms,like BreakFree CLP or Rem Oil, that lubricates and protects. Save the WD40 for spraying rusted machine parts,door locks,and electrical contacts, and wiring to prevent corrosion.That is what it was designed and intended for.

Answer 6

Spend the $5 and buy some quality lubricant like Breakfree CLP.

WD-40 is great for un-rusting nuts and bolts on an old tractor. But for fine pieces of equipment, there are many superior products.

It's not that you shouldn't use WD-40 on firearms, it's just that there are (again) so many superior products out there that are much more suited for the uniqueness of firearm mechanics.

WD-40 is fine in a last ditch emergency.

Answer 7

you can but i wouldn't. Id use something specifically for cleaning guns. but remember you cant just spray WD-40 and be done with it.

Also for getting in the crevices the "gun scrubber" spray works very well. I love it

Answer 8

Everybody that says WD40 is not for guns has probably not used it. I have used it for more years than most of the answerers are old and have NO (0) bad effects.

Answer 9

Use Remington gun oil for lubrication & rust protection.*

Answer 10

You can but not recommended.... in fact in the military it is forbidden to use it... we use CLP...... a gun oil..... WD-40 is for freeing up frozen bolts.... it is not a lubricant..... use regular gun oil.... you can clean with WD-40 then use gun oil after it to lube the gun parts......