Owner’s Manual 2009

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WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN DISASSEMBLING AND
CLEANING YOUR RIFLE TO PREVENT SPRINGS, SPRING-
LOADED PARTS, SOLVENTS OR OTHER AGENTS FROM
CONTACTING YOUR EYES, RESULTING IN INJURY.
KEEP ALL AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE CLEANING AREA.
NEVER TEST THE MECHANICAL FUNCTION OF YOUR RIFLE
WITH LIVE AMMUNITION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
18.1. CLEANING PROCEDURES
Your FNAR will function better and more reliably over a longer period of time
if it is properly maintained and kept clean. Clean your firearm after every
day of shooting, and more often if it becomes excessively dirty. A minimum
cleaning includes wiping down the firearm and oiling key parts. Regular
maintenance will also include cleaning the barrel.
If you encounter a function problem be sure to give your firearm a thorough
cleaning to see if it solves the problem before seeking the services of the
FNH USA Service Facility in Arnold, Missouri, or a qualified gunsmith.
1. Pull the bolt fully rearward with the operating handle and lift the bolt
lock up to lock the bolt in the open position.
2. Inspect the chamber and bore for powder fouling. A normal amount of
powder residue can be expected and is not serious. It can usually be
removed with a patch saturated with nitro solvent.
Clean the bore using an appropriate rifle cleaning rod with a tip and
patch of the correct caliber to provide a snug fit in the bore. Insert the
rod and patch into the barrel at the muzzle end and run it back and
forth several times. Care should be exercised to ensure that neither the
cleaning rod nor the handle strikes the crown of the muzzle, as
damage to this area can adversely affect the accuracy of the rifle.
A muzzle protector can be purchased separately from your local
firearms dealer to help protect the muzzle crown while cleaning the
barrel of your rifle.
If, or when, fouling should become heavy, it can be removed with a
brass bore brush. Dip or spray the brush with nitro solvent and scrub
the chamber and bore until the fouling is removed. To prevent brass
bristles from breaking off, the brush should be pushed completely
through the barrel before being withdrawn.
Notice! DO NOT USE A STAINLESS STEEL BRUSH TO CLEAN
THE BORE. IT WILL DAMAGE THE CHROME PLATING.
To maintain the utmost accuracy of your rifle it is recommended you
clean the bore with a copper solvent. Modern bullet jackets are made
mainly of copper. Residues from copper bullet jackets stick to the
barrel and require more frequent cleaning. Swab the bore of your rifle
with a good copper solvent using the manufacturer’s recommended
procedure.
3. After all fouling has been removed, the chamber and bore should be
wiped dry. When the bore is dry, pass a slightly oiled patch through it
for preservation. A fine, light gun oil is recommended.
4. Inspect the barrel and chamber to be certain no patches have
inadvertently been left in them. Remove any that remain.
5. Use a small brush or rag to remove dirt and foreign matter from inside
the receiver and other parts of the action. Lightly lubricate all moving
parts with a high-quality, light gun oil. Use oil sparingly, a very light
film is sufficient. A fine, light gun oil is ideally suited for this purpose.
6. Wipe all exposed metal surfaces with a lightly oiled cloth making
certain that all finger marks are removed. Finger marks provide a
place where moisture can accumulate. The metal of the firearm should
receive a light film of oil any time the rifle has been exposed to
weather or handling.