Make gun maintenance a priority, advises leading English gunmaker
Regular maintenance of sporting guns at the end of each season should be a priority for every responsible shooting enthusiast, according to leading English gunmaker William Evans.
“Sportsmen spend considerable sums on their chosen hobby yet often neglect a key aspect that will make their time in the field more enjoyable, much safer and help to protect the value of their investment,” states Alastair Phillips. Gunroom Manager at William Evans in St James, London, he adds:
“All sporting guns should be serviced regularly, not only to ensure that they perform at their best but are also reliable and safe, both for the person using them and other members of their party. Older guns generally need more regular attention, but even new ones should be inspected regularly to ensure that its component parts are correctly adjusted and operate as the maker intended.”
Mr Phillips estimates that less than 40% of guns used for game shooting are serviced on a seasonal basis and many are rarely, if ever, seen by a gunsmith, making them potentially dangerous.
“Ironically, guns which are used regularly throughout the season are not usually the worst offenders when it comes to a lack of maintenance. It is those ‘family heirlooms’ which have been in the cabinet for generations and are brought out only occasionally which we find need the most attention.”
Worn or faulty safety catches, broken mainsprings, out-of-proof barrels, faulty triggers and cracked stocks are, says Mr Phillips, just some of the routine problems which William Evans’ gunsmiths encounter every year. Some other guns are, however, in more dangerous condition, being out of ‘proof’, having damaged barrels or loose ribs. A common and very dangerous fault and low trigger pressures, which allow the gun to discharge with the slightest of touch or double-discharge when recoil produced by the first ‘shot’ sets off an uncontrolled second.
Mr Phillips emphasises that any gun which has been used in wet conditions should be cleaned as thoroughly as possible immediately after use, and after a wet season will certainly require a comprehensive service. He states:
“Most owners do not have the equipment or knowledge to get deep enough into the gun to do the job to a sufficiently high standard, particularly in the case of a boxlock action which is difficult to access. Without removing the stock to rid the action of water and dirt that may have accumulated during the shooting season metal surfaces will quickly corrode, causing permanent damage that will cost far more to put right than an annual service. This should be carried out immediately after the season has finished so that the gun can be put away in first-class condition. Adopting this approach also avoids the inevitable rush which precedes the start of the new season.
“Servicing is relatively inexpensive and in addition to ensuring the gun’s reliability will also provide its owner with the reassurance that it is safe to use. In the event of an accident it could also be critical that the owner is able to prove that they took every reasonable precaution to ensure the gun’s safe functioning. There is no legitimate reason for using a poorly-maintained gun and to do so is irresponsible.”
William Evans will service a side-by-side or over-and-under shotgun for £190 + VAT, a price which it claims is the cheapest in London. The company also offers a very competitive storage service for customers’ guns, which is proving extremely popular due to the tightening of gun laws and the closure of other shops in London.
William Evans shops are located at 67a St James’s Street, London SW1A 1PH (Tel: 020 7493 0415) and The Old Armoury, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Surrey, GU24 0PB (Tel: 01483 486500), out of which Gordon Swatton, the company’s Resident Gunsmith, operates.
Further details are available at www.williamevans.com
William Evans shops are located at 67a St James’s Street, London SW1A 1PH (Tel: 020 7493 0415) and The Old Armoury, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Surrey, GU24 0PB (Tel: 01483 486500), out of which Gordon Swatton, the company’s Resident Gunsmith, operates.
Further details are available at www.williamevans.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1.
Further press information is available from Julian Cooksley, Kendalls Communications:
T: 01394 610022
E: julian.cooksley@kendallscom.co.uk
2.
High-resolution digital images are available to illustrate this press release.
Please contact Kerry-Anne Rookyard, Kendalls Communications:
T: 01394 610022
E: kerry-anne.rookyard@kendallscom.co.uk
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