Here's how to avoid the problem in future. I like to think that this is my original idea, as I have never read or heard of anyone else doing it. This works on all actions, break open, bolt, lever, pump, etc. Do this whenever you bring a gun into a warm building from the cold, where it's going to sweat, or after using it in the rain or snow. Open the action just enough so that air will blow down the barrel. Lay the gun on its side on a large flat surface. Spread a towel in front of the muzzle. Take a hair drier, set on "HOT" and "HIGH", turn it on, and lie it on the towel with the muzzle of the hair drier placed about four or five inches from the muzzle of the gun, and blowing hot air down the barrel. The towel is important as it keeps the drier from skating around due to vibration. Leave it like this for 15 or 20 minutes while you stow your gear. At the end of this time, all of the metal parts of the gun will be hot enough to be uncomfortable to handle with bare hands. This ensures that there is absolutely no possibility of any water remaining under the ribs, inside the locks or bolt, etc. Turn off the hair drier and leave the gun to cool while you feed the dog, shower, and change. Swab the bores, wipe down with an oily rag, and presto, you're done. I've been doing this for probably 35 years, never let me down, never caused me a problem. The only potential problem might be with a plastic front sight like a Raybar or a Hi-Viz, softening from the heat. That's why I leave that 4 to 5 inch gap!
Last edited by Ron Vella; 11/25/06 06:14 PM.