Why Muzzle Down?

[ORBushman]

While reading in some of the cleaning threads, I noticed some store their muzzleloaders muzzle down in the their safe. Why? To prevent dust from getting down the bore? My firearms rarely get dusty inside my safe so, curious if there is another reason for storing muzzle down after cleaning?

 

[chorizo]

Supposedly to keep lubricant left in the bore from oozing down into the breech and flash thus potentially causing ignition issues

 

[ORBushman]

Supposedly to keep lubricant left in the bore from oozing down into the breech and flash thus potentially causing ignition issues

Thank you!

 

[tenngun]

Never found it necessary myself…. Though I do a monthly swab and clean

 

[Hawk54]

To keep the lubricant in the barrel from running out and staining the wood.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Over time some lubricants will gel and settle in the breech, partially blocking the flash channel when the firearm is stored muzzle up. After a shot or two the fouling mixes with the gelled lubricant and does block the flash channel.

Storing the firearm with the muzzle down, the lubricant flows away from the breech leaving a thin layer of rust inhibiting oils. A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol before going shooting will prepare the bore for shooting.

 

[Eutycus]

Sounds like some people are using too much oil. Just coat the bore no need saturating.

 

[Timber Wolf]

The oil thing, and I can pack more guns in there when some are inverted. ; )

 

[david w]

If you have to store your rifle muzzle down, you're putting it away too wet.

 

[TDM]

I certainly agree with the theory of storing muzzle down. But I don't practice it myself. Most of mine are stored horizontal on the wall, others barrel up. I try not to over oil.

 

[52Bore]

Because they use way too much oil…
After a good cleaning, a thin film/coat is all one needs, if it runs - it’s not a tin coat.

 

[david w]

Because they use way too much oil…
After a good cleaning, a thin film/coat is all one needs, if it runs - it’s not a tin coat.

I had a friend that believed gun metal had to have a very heavy coat of oil. The more, the better.

 

[oldwood]

My hunting buddy and I , (sorry ,I have to stop writing , and laugh ) , we were trying to find our m/ling A$$es , by the try and fail methods. We were trying to reinvent the sport from scratch. We knew almost nothing about m/ling , back then. My hunting buddy purchased a slightly used factory long rifle from a guy. Don't think the previous owner , truly had cleaned the rifle too well. He cleaned the bore , as it was shiny and well oiled. Well my genius buddy , (I'm laughing again) , plugged the touch hole, and squirted lighter fluid , (benzine) , in the bore and left the gun sit all night. Next A.M. , he wiped the bore out 'till dry , loaded , and we went deer hunting. Four does stood in front of him and the gun flashed , w/no bang. Deer started walking away , after they got bored w/his antics trying to clean the pan , and touch hole. Finally , he got a bang. He came over to me holding a chunk of maple tree , the .45 had shot off..No deer. Since the day was mostly over , we decided to retire to the tavern , to discuss what had just happened. Right off ,he told me what was wrong . Soaking the breech with benzine , was the wrong choice on the used gun. After the benzine soak , the gun should have been stood , muzzle down , and then wiped out the next A.M. The solvent had dissolved , and brought out every molecule , of whatever animal fats as liquid, from around the breech , the previous owner , had used as patch lubricant. We did later , at the tavern, get multiple shots ,and drafts , so as , to enhance our muzzle loading acumen......... ...oldwood

 

[TFoley]

I certainly agree with the theory of storing muzzle down. But I don't practice it myself. Most of mine are stored horizontal on the wall, others barrel up. I try not to over oil.

I store ALL of my muzzleloaders - a Musketoon, a Pritchett and a Whitworth - muzzle down in one of my three little gun-safes. I have other BP rifles and even a pistol, but here in UK they must ALL* be secured in a BSI/Home Office-approved storage facility - ie, a gun safe. Because of sheer lack of space, there are three of these items, and as all my other long guns are breechloaders, it can get pretty crowded in there, so some of those get pointed downwards, too.

*even the Sniders. We ALL know how popular THEY are with the criminal fraternity, right?

 

[tom_in_vt]

It’s supposed to keep excess oil from the bore/barrel from running down into the stock and staining/weakening the wood.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I've stored my muzzleloaders muzzle up for as long as I've been into the hobby. Never had a problem. I always make sure to run several dry patches through the bore, and dry the pan and flash channel area before I shoot the gun. Again, never had any issues.

 

[TDM]

I store ALL of my muzzleloaders - a Musketoon, a Pritchett and a Whitworth - muzzle down in one of my three little gun-safes. I have other BP rifles and even a pistol, but here in UK they must ALL* be secured in a BSI/Home Office-approved storage facility - ie, a gun safe. Because of sheer lack of space, there are three of these items, and as my long guns are breechloaders, it can get pretty crowded in there, so some of those get pointed downwards, too.

*even the Sniders. We ALL know how popular THEY are with the criminal fraternity, right?

Well if you have to keep them in a safe, might as well store them muzzle down. I actually do have a couple of safes, but I enjoy looking at my MLs. And since I don't move as fast as I used to there's always a few modern ones placed within easy reach too!

 

[DuncNZ]

In my 23 years in the gun trade I have seen all sorts of firearms which have been over oiled and stored on their sides or muzzle up , where the oil has run into the wood where it was slowly rotted or darkened or softened by the action of the oil . I have seen guns stored on a wall rack and the oil has run to the bottom of the bore and the top of the bore has rusted . Also oil has run into lock or actions and gummed things up.
These things happen more often to guns in large collections or are on display and not used . The easy way around this is to lightly oil your firearms and check them on a regular basis .
It is possible to buy spray cans of preservative wax or grease which will not flow under most situations and use these if long term storage is contemplated . the only problem is getting the stuff out when needed .
Guns stored in bags or cases often rot under humid conditions , and need regular checking .

 

[TFoley]

Well if you have to keep them in a safe, might as well store them muzzle down. I actually do have a couple of safes, but I enjoy looking at my MLs. And since I don't move as fast as I used to there's always a few modern ones placed within easy reach too!

I, too, enjoy looking at my guns, but to do so, I have get them out of their 'secure' accommodation. Here is a conundrum though. Because my Sniders are all classed as Section 58 [obsolete calibre] firearms that use obsolete cartridges that are no longer available, I don't need to lock them ALL away at all. Only the one that I actually DO shoot.

I can have a REAL Musketoon without any kind of documentation. A REAL Whitworth rifle, too.

But a replica - in fact, ANY replica - is classed the same as ANY unmentionable.

And a rifle that came from 1873 and made at the Springfield Arsenal, with the initials TD?

Nope - you can still buy ammunition for it. It has to be registered/documented and authorised.

Makes sense, I suppose.

If your name is Kafka.

 

[andy52]

I understand the concept in my mind it would be more important in a patent breech vs a standard. I guess the reduced area of the patent would collect more oil. but honestly, I never used that much oil where it has become a problem. Maybe that's the same reason cap lock shooters fire a cap before first loading.