WARNING: Always be certain the firearm is completely unloaded before cleaning. Remove primer or cap, powder, and any projectile.

The chemical compounds formed by Black Powder and Pyrodex residue, and certain percussion caps and primers, are extremely corrosive. Rusting will begin within a few hours after firing if the firearm is left uncleaned.

Fouling will also slow down or “bind up” moving parts, possibly resulting in misfires (failures to fire), and “hangers” (firing delayed for up to a few seconds). It is, therefore, important that your MDM firearm be cleaned thoroughly and without delay after each use.

Furthermore, black powder fouling hardens with time, making disassembly difficult, and this fouling is extremely corrosive - even for our stainless steel firearm.

A firearm must be free of rust, dirt, grease and firing residue to function safely and reliably. Periodic maintenance, which includes inspection of components to determine if they are in proper working order, is absolutely essential.

Firing causes deposits of particles of bullet lubricants and powder in the bore, chamber, hammer, receiver, trigger assembly, and other parts of the firearm.

Our suggestion is a thorough cleaning at the end of each shooting session. We recommend the services of a qualified gunsmith for the receiver disassembly.

The alert gun owner will agree that any firearm functions more reliably and accurately when it is free of accumulation of bore buildup and other firing residues.

Basic cleaning equipment should include:

• A correct size cleaning rod (ramrod acceptable) with bore brush (fiber and brass) and a cleaning jag (supplied with rifle)

• Correctly sized cleaning patches

• Black Powder solvent, (hot, soapy water is acceptable)

• Lubricant

• Small lint-free cloths and a cleaning brush (toothbrush is acceptable)

Always use correct size patches and brushes. Larger sizes will bind in the bore and can be very difficult to remove!

We recommend the use of MDM's "Lightning Solutions" saturated patches, custom sized for specific calibers, to simplify the job with professional results.

In addition to being the ultimate cleaning solution, "Lightning Solutions" gives you the lubrication and rust prevention required for your precision firearms.

TIMELY ATTENTION TO THE PROCEDURES WHICH FOLLOW WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR FIREARM REMAINS IN TOP CONDITION FOR A LIFETIME OF USE.
 

• Be sure that your firearm is unloaded!

• Follow complete disassembly procedures.

• Place the breech plug and nipple into a container of hot soapy water, black powder solvent, or "Lightning Solutions" and scrub clean with brush.

• Position the barreled action with muzzle pointed down to aid in easy barrel cleaning from the receiver end.

• If not using a “Lightning Solutions” saturated patch, saturate a cleaning patch with black powder solvent and place it over the jag on the end of your cleaning rod. Insert into the receiver end of the barrel.

• With a short, stroking motion, scrub the entire length of the barrel, changing patches and adding solvent as necessary.

• If you are using a hot, soapy water solution, it is desirable to have the muzzle end of the barrel submerged in a container with this cleaning agent.

• Apply a saturated cleaning patch over the jag and insert into the receiver end of barrel and push through to the muzzle end.

• Pulling the rod in a pumping action will draw water into the barrel and flush out the fouling.

• Continue this process until the barrel is clean.

• Should heavy fouling exist and a brush be required to scrub the bore, the brush should be attached to the cleaning rod and used as outlined above.

• At this time you can use a cleaning brush (toothbrush) and solution to clean internal threads in the barrel and face of receiver.

• Any parts being cleaned with the hot, soapy water process should be thoroughly rinsed with very hot water and set aside to dry.

• Any fouling on the stock, firing pin or receiver should be wiped clean with “Lightning Solutions” patches, or if other patches are used, should be lightly oiled.

• Thoroughly inspect all parts to be sure they are clean and dry. Pay particular attention to the breech plug threads inside the barrel and the passages in breech plug and nipple.

• If you have not been using our “Lightning Solutions” patches, you will have to apply a light coat of gun oil to all metal parts in preparation for assembly and storage.

• Proceed with firearm assembly.