I shot 50 rounds through my model 36-10 classic for the first time. After cleaning I noticed lead rings around the charge holes on the cylinder face. I don't mind it, just wondering if it's normal. Pictures are attached. The gun is new and I shot jacketed rounds. It's my first revolver. Thanks.

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Welcome! This is perfectly normal, and on a blued gun probably best left alone unless it affects cylinder rotation. A "lead-away" cloth will remove both them and the bluing. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for the fast reply, much appreciated.

Use Pro-Shot 1-Step CLP or Hoppe's Nitro Solvent and scrub with a Bronze cleaning brush. This will remove the stains without harming the blued finish.

Note: CLP is an Acronym for Cleaner, Lubricant, and Protectant. A common gun industry product sold by multiple brands.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

I used to be so anal about getting the rings off of the cylinder especially on stainless ones. I’m sure I tried every cleaner and everything on the net short of sandblasting them.
I just use either Hoppe’s or Ballistol and a bronze brush to get the crud off and life is so much easier now not worrying about the “ring”
It’s a rabbit hole I was able to climb out of before it was too late.

I'm so O (as in OCD), that I only own one (blue) revolver now, stainless being easy to clean as new.

Having said that, my aluminum frame 351PD has copper build-up on the front face of the cylinder. There is nothing I can find to clean it up and I called S&W customer service about it. The guy I spoke to recommended CLP but that didn't work. I also tried - sparingly - Blue Magic - but that didn't work either.

Given that this will happen each time you shoot, try not to go through the motions of rubbing it off; you'll get nowhere fast.

I'm thinking of a good ultrasonic cleaning for the cylinder but don't know if that will do any good either.

Gee, what a cheery response I gave you, lol. Sorry

It's a revolver; that happens. I'm not part of today's fastidious crowd, but an old toothbrush with Hoppes#9 or any other solvent will remove enough residue that the face of the cylinder will be clean and that is what's important. The stain hurts nothing.

The shiny lead creates a contrast to the beautiful bluing that it stands out, especially on a new gun. As long as it's normal it doesn't brother me. Thanks for all the replies.

Why bother? They come right back the next time you pull the trigger.

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S&W Accumulator

Since you are shooting jacketed bullets, that is not lead, just carbon. Apply cleaner of choice, scrub with a toothbrush, move on.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I kind of like that look on my 686.

there are several threads on this, the search function is your friend.

As someone said, don't be anal about the rings. I once suffered from a lead armorer who insisted that every firearm look like it had never been fired. Didn't matter if it was in a training week where shooting every day was the norm. Came the day a bunch of our 681s went back for rebuild. They came back with new cylinders, a whopping invoice and a stern letter about excessive and abusive cleaning.

Shortly thereafter, we got a new lead armorer and rings on the cylinder face were acceptable.

I'm not anal, but cleaning using Hoppe's #9 and a bronze bore brush cleans to like new without any damage.

Choose cleaning products appropriate for your needs.

Remove the lead rings ....letting it build up doesn't do a bit of good..
Just makes it harder to remove later and any lead build up will eventually cause problems of some sort.
Gary

The best thing that I have found for removing the buildup on the cylinders of my revolvers is Remington spray on cleaner in the yellow can. At least two gunshops I frequent use this when clearning up,p even the most beat up and abused rifles and shotguns. Including those shotguns placed back in the cupboard wet after opening morning and not touched again for months.

And a gunsmiths trick I learnt long ago is to use use a copper or brass pot scrubber. It will remove carbo and lead buildup without harming glueing or scratching allow/stainless components.

Just do not use steel, especially stainless steel scrubbers which will scratch the metal.

hopes no. 9 and a green scotch brite pad works wonders on stainless will try on my blued ruger!

I’ve done the Hoppe’s and green scotch pad thing. It WILL scratch and remove bluing.

cleaned my ruger Blackhawk yesterday with scotchbrite and hoppes 9 cant tell if the blueing is getting scratched but the lead came off! will keep you posted as I doo more shooting!

I do not like the carbon rings on my Model 686. I use a soft cloth and Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. Makes the stainless look like new again.

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USAF Retired/VN Vet