Water is the universal solvent, and a damp, not wet, cloth is best in my opinion. It is good to remember that you are really cleaning the finish, not so much the wood, when wiping down the outside. The wood will let you know when it needs a little help, and this is a great example of keep it simple. Wipe the wood down first, then clean and lightly oil the metal, wiping off any excess. Soaps, waxes, and silicone gun cloths leave residue, most of the time undesirable.

Mike

Tolerance: the abolition of absolutes

Consistency is the currency of credibility