Following the recent flooding, some of which hit here in Pennsylvania, many gun owners returned home or to a cabin only to find much of their possessions wet and submerged for extended periods. The following are some tips for cleaning and decontaminating those firearms so that you can enjoy them for years to come.

No firearm is meant to get wet and go unserviced. Even modern “mil-spec” firearms designed to get wet and be fired without a loss of service should still be adequately maintained as soon as possible following a dunking. But the recent events in areas subjected to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma add a new dimension to the scenario: a need for decontamination. In these areas, firearms have not only gotten wet, but they have been submerged, often for days, in not only water but also whatever other contaminants may have been present.

If your firearm gets wet, say while hunting or due to a sudden storm while in the stand, you can generally get away with a “light cleaning” — making sure everything is wiped off and properly oiled unless signs of corrosion are present, no harm, no foul.

If you take your firearm for a swim, either by accident or on purpose, the degree of follow-up depends on the specific firearm. Older firearms or those not specifically designed to endure this type of abuse may need the attention of an armorer. Modern firearms, especially duty weapons designed to be exposed or even submerged, should be dried and even field-stripped but will generally be good to go.

But if your firearm has been not only submerged but left there for days AND potentially exposed to contaminants, what do you do? At this point, it is important to note that it is impossible to know what your specific firearm may or may not have been exposed to.

The following information was developed after personally contacting the in-house armorers at different firearms manufacturers. None had a standard response for caring for firearms following a flood, but each provided similar advice. If you live in an area where there was a confirmed contamination by a specific chemical substance, you should contact your firearm’s manufacturer to determine if special care is needed for that known substance.

First, you need to dry the firearm as completely as possible. This will not prevent further damage or address any contamination. It helps the process and potentially severe damage. While some parts or accessories may be dried with low heat, many other parts will be damaged during this process. The preferred method is a clean cloth and some elbow grease.

Your next step depends on your level of experience. If you are not comfortable conducting a full teardown, you will need to contact a certified armorer. For the purpose of this article, I will assume you are capable of completing this on your own.

NOTE: Many manufacturers will void the warranty of your firearm if such actions are taken by anyone other than certified armorers.

Conduct a complete inspection teardown of the firearm, paying particular attention to the following:

Any signs of unusual corrosion or damage to internal components other than that associated with normal wear and tear. Such damage includes pitting or discoloration, peeling / flaking, or corrosion. *If damage is observed, the affected part(s) must be replaced.

Clean the entire firearm with a degreasing agent. Do not rely on a general cleaner or cleaner/lubricant. Many possible contaminants may be petroleum-based and will not be removed by such products. *Check with the manufacturer for specific approved products for use on your firearm.

Re-oil / lubricate the entire firearm as per manufacturer instructions. Keep in mind that the degreasing process will remove ALL petroleum-based products, including your normally present oils. This re-oiling process will involve applying a light coat of lubricant to much more than those parts treated following a normal field stripping.

Before reassembling your firearm, I recommend leaving it apart for at least a few days and periodically re-inspecting each component.

Once positive, no damage has occurred, reassemble, function check, and return to service.