How to Clean a Stevens 555 with Hoppe's

After a fun day of shooting, it's always a good practice to give your Stevens 555 a little TLC and clean it up before storing it. Who better to show you a step-by-step guide on how to clean a Stevens 555 than the experts in guncare? Our friends at Hoppe's detail how to break down and clean your Stevens 555 and which Hoppe's products to use in the process. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Stevens 555?

It's a great question, but there are a lot of different variables to the answer. How often you're shooting, how much you're shooting, the type of ammunition you're shooting, weather conditions, humidity, and dust are all factors. Your Stevens 555 is a mechanical device, which will not last forever and is subject to wear. As with any mechanical device, periodic inspection and maintenance is required and your responsibility as a gun owner. As a general rule, cleaning your firearm "more often" is much safer than "not enough". Regular, proper cleaning of your shotgun will help extend its useful life and ensure proper functioning. Cleaning is especially important if the gun gets wet or if foreign material gets into the action or barrels. Refer to your owner's manual for more details. 

Before You Start

Verify the firearm is clear of ammunition and safe. Never attempt to disassemble, clean or oil a loaded firearm. 

• Before opening the action, point the muzzle in a safe direction
• Move the safety to the FULL SAFE position (fully rearward)
• Move the TOP LEVER to the right as far as it will go
• Pull down the barrels until the action is fully open
• Visually and physically inspect that both barrels are clear of ammunition

Breakdown Steps

• Without loading any ammunition, close the action
• Locate the RELEASE LEVER on the underside of the forend
• Press the RELEASE BUTTON first, then pull the RELEASE LEVER
• Pull the forend away from the barrels
• Move the TOP LEVER to the right to open the action
• The barrel assembly will now separate from the frame

How To Clean

Be sure to read and understand all of the cautions and warnings on all solvents and chemicals prior to use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best cleaning results. 

It's important to note that it is not necessary to fully break down your Stevens 555 for cleaning. You can also simply open the action and run your cleaning rod or Boresnake through the barrels without removing the forend and barrel assembly. 

Always handle your shotgun with the barrels pointing away from you. Always start from the chamber end, and move your cleaning device through the bore and out the muzzle end. 

With a Cleaning Rod

• Using a small amount of bore cleaner on the brush, push the cleaning rod through the barrel several times
• Unscrew the brush from the cleaning rod and replace it with a patch tip
• Push a new patch through the bore starting from the chamber end and out the muzzle
• Repeat the prior step several times until the patch comes out clean
• Push a new patch saturated with gun oil through the bore
• Push a new dry patch through the bore to remove excess oil. A very thin film of oil is sufficient protection. Do not over oil. 
• Repeat with both barrels

With a Hoppe's Original Boresnake

• Apply a small amount of Hoppe's CLP to both sides of the Boresnake
• Run the Boresnake through each barrel from chamber end and out the muzzle
• Repeat the prior step until each barrel is clean

Protecting Metal Surfaces

• With a soft cloth, remove any foreign matter (mud, twigs, grass, etc.)
• Using a clean patch, apply a thin coat of gun oil or Hoppe's CLP on all cleaned metal surfaces

Reassembly

• Check the bores carefully when done to be sure there are no obstructions (pieces of cleaning patch, etc.)
• Realign the barrel assembly with the frame and close the action carefully
• Place the rear of the forend in position against the frame, the rotate upward towards the barrels. It should move easily into place. 
• Pressing the RELEASE BUTTON first, push the RELEASE LEVER until it locks into place
• Open and close the action to verify that the barrels and forend are correctly assembled. 
• Move the safety to the FULL SAFE position (fully rearward)

Storage

• Always store your firearm in a locked safe or cabinet
• Ensure that all firearms are unloaded at all times
• Always store ammunition in a locked location, separate from any firearms
• Store at room temperature in a dry environment 

There you have it! Regular cleaning and maintenance will help extend the life of your Stevens 555 so it's ready to bust clays or hunt upland birds at any time!