Owner’s Manual 2011

38 39
shotgun after every day of shooting, and more often if it becomes
excessively dirty. The barrels should be cleaned and the action wiped
clean and oiled after every day of shooting.
Normal maintenance can be accomplished with the barrel still attached
to the receiver (oiling/greasing and wiping down). More careful cleaning
requires removal of only the barrels and forearm from the receiver (cleaning
the barrel).
If a malfunction occurs, perform a thorough cleaning to see if it solves the
problem before contacting the FNH USA Service Facility in Arnold, Missouri,
or a qualified gunsmith.
1. Place the “safety” in the on safe position. Open the action and inspect
the chambers to make certain they do not contain any shells. Keep the
muzzles pointed in a safe direction.
2. Remove the forearm and barrels as explained in Section 13 on
page 21.
3. Using a shotgun cleaning rod with tip and patch large enough for a
snug fit in the bore, insert the rod and a lightly oiled patch in the
breech end of the barrel and run back and forth through the bore
several times. Remove and wipe the choke tube, threads and barrel
threads with a nylon brush and lightly oil. Reinstall the choke tubes.
4. Inspect the bore from both ends for leading and plastic residue that
often remain in the bores from the shot cups in modern shotshells.
Leading and plastic residue will appear as longitudinal streaks and
are usually more predominant near the muzzles and just forward of the
chambers. A normal amount of either is common and not serious.
5. If leading or plastic residue seems excessive you can remove it by
brushing the bore with a bronze brush. Soak the brush or spray the
bore with a powder solvent first. Scrub until clean. To prevent bristles
from breaking off, push the brush fully through the barrel each time
before pulling it back through.
MOST SOLVENTS ARE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. WEAR EYE
PROTECTION AND PRACTICE APPROPRIATE SAFETY
MEASURES WHEN WORKING WITH SOLVENTS TO AVOID
SERIOUS INJURY.
6. After all leading and plastic residues have been removed, run a clean,
dry patch through the bore. Follow this with a final, lightly oiled patch.
7. Wipe all metal surfaces of the receiver, forearm and barrels with a clean
rag. Then lubricate your firearm at the points noted on page 15. Regular,
light lubrication is extremely important to the durability and reliable
operation of your shotgun.
Notice! REMEMBER, THE BROAD, POLISHED FINELY FITTED
SURFACES OF THE RECEIVER AND FOREARM MECHANISMS
(THE BARREL LUGS, THE HINGE PIN AND FOREARM
BRACKET) MUST ALWAYS BE COATED WITH A THIN FILM OF
LIGHTWEIGHT GUN OIL.
8. Reassemble the shotgun and wipe all exposed metal surfaces with an
oiled cloth making sure to wipe away all finger marks where moisture
could accumulate.
9. Inspect the barrels and chambers to be certain no patches have
inadvertently been left in them. Remove any that remain.
10. The wood surfaces can also be wiped with a quality, lightweight gun oil
or they can be polished with any quality furniture wax (but not both).
Notice! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE CHAMBERS OF
YOUR SHOTGUN BE CLEANED THOROUGHLY AND PROMPTLY
AFTER SHOOTING PLASTIC SHOTSHELLS. DO NOT LEAVE
DISCHARGED (EMPTY) SHELLS IN THE CHAMBERS FOR ANY
LENGTH OF TIME. THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MANY
PLASTIC SHELLS CONTAINS MOISTURE WHICH CAN “SWEAT”
OUT OF THE SHELL AND ONTO THE CHAMBERS’ SURFACES,
POTENTIALLY CAUSING CORROSION AND RUST.