Got my new can for the 15-22. Took right at four months. Got the flash suppresser off with no problem. Put the spacer on and then the Sparrow. Shot a few rounds, WOW, very quite. I am one happy camper. Now when it comes time to clean it, what does everyone use ?

For the sparrow baffles I would use the dip.

Sorry search the dip for cleaning supressors and you should find it. 50/50 hydrogen peroxside and distilled white vinegar.

Get some fireclean and spread it liberally on the monocore baffles and the clamshells.

It's easy to clean with a rag after that.

I've also used soda blasting and sand blasting; many will claim not to use sand blasting on the stainless steel..

If you use the dip, understand you are left with SERIOUS HAZMAT. Handle and dispose of properly.

I have 2 Sparrows and agree the dip is the way to go. I've tried other methods and find the dip is much simpler & better. Just remember to not dip the outside shell... it is not stainless. It doesn't get dirty so no need to do it anyway. I also order a more concentrated hydrogen peroxide from Amazon than the stuff you can get at the store. I'm sure it isn't necessary but I still use it.

The resulting chemical is toxic, so treat it with respect & dispose of properly. I use tongs to remove the parts & then pore the chemical into a 5 gallon drum that is properly marked as containing hazardous lead waste. As far as I know, every method produces toxic residue for the simple reason the gunk inside the suppressor is toxic. Some folks blast it & just let the residue float around. The dip residue contains lead acetate & you don't want that on your skin... thus my use of tongs. You can find locations that will accept the residue once you fill a storage container. By using my methods, I am safe and nothing gets into the environment.








After 16 hours in the dip. Clam shells are smooth as a baby's butt. No scrubbing at all. I just wipe down with a shop rag.

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FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

I'm a 'friend' of RedNeck, so I say this with ALL due respect...

When we are shooting lead (whether copper plated or whatever), we are putting lead in the environment. It's already naturally occurring and coming into direct contact with it (in moderation, of course), is not the same as lead acetate. That's not to say don't use the dip.

I've found fireclean to wipe off 1000 rounds of residue with no elbow grease...

Thanks everyone, How often do you have to replace the O-rings ?

I've never heard of them going bad. I know the dip doesn't hurt them. But if you were to ever have an issue, you picked a company with great customer service.

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And taken with respect for you & all your contributions here.

You are of course correct. What I was getting at (poorly) was that there are cleaning methods used where this lead residue is put back into the environment. My concern is all this residue is in a form that is more harmful to people than the solid lead bullet. The liquid lead acetate is something you wouldn't want on your skin. Folks that blast it have turned the residue into a fine powder that can easily be ingested, inhaled or much easier absorbed thru skin contact. And I certainly wouldn't want to touch the fireclean that has the residue in it.

Main reason I like the dip is that first of all it works. Secondly I can capture 100% of the residue & can dispose of it legally & properly where this stuff never reenters the environment. I have to question what happens to the residue from all the other methods. Because as I stated prior, IMO exposure to this residue is MUCH more dangerous than handling a bullet. People have been known to put this stuff down the drain, in the trash or just blast outdoors where the stuff contaminates their yard.

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Just keep an eye on them and replace if you notice them torn/ragged, or missing. The can will function just fine without them.

I've used the DIP and other methods to clean my Sparrow.

I shoot CCI Standard Velocity. What I have found is that the clamshells collect the most crud. The baffle collects very little except in the front, and it's not much.

Every 500rds or so I'll take apart the can, spray some carbon/lead cleaner on the clam shells and let soak for a couple minutes. If you look at the photo Jim posted you'll see several ridges of buildup on the clamshells. That easily chips off. I use an old cleaning rod end edge to just chip/scrape off the crud in a couple minutes. I don't try to get it perfect. Also scrape off what I can from the baffle. Every couple thousand rounds I'll drop the baffle in the DIP to get all the crud off along with the clamshells like new again.

Enjoy that new can. Once you start shooting suppressed there's no going back.

I got an extra set of O-rings from SilencerShop when I bought the can. I think I paid $5. I've seen the same at Ace Hardware for a few pennies. I changed the outer end O-rings for the heck of it but haven't replace the inner O-ring cuz it looked like a hassle. All is well so far after many thousands of rounds.

Welcome to suppressor ownership!! (It will turn into an addiction!!)

The method I use for my sparrow is a heated sonic cleaner and a 50/50 mix of "purple power" (I get it at Walmart) and water.

I also treat it with fire clean and that really helps. Sometime I let it go too long, (over 1k rounds between cleanings) and that's when the sonic cleaner really shines. Use disposable rubber gloves no matter what method you choose.

I don't use DIP because it costs money to depose of it where I live. The 50/50 mix is free to dispose of.

Nice Can...!! You will never go back now!!!! i have one with aluminum baffles, i know i can't use the dip and would never even think of using it on AL. Is Fireclean AL friendly? i have an ultrasonic cleaner, and a gallon of purple somewhere in the garage. i usually clean it with a wire brush, wear a mask and goggles just in case. not the best method, but i clean it after every use so there is not that much lead build up on it. thanx in advance.

A dirty can is a quieter can. Open it up, knock the chunks out, and put it back together.

Fireclean is a vegetable oil based concoction (some have recently claimed its basically canola oil). There are videos of people using it to cook and then eat eggs....

So yes, its AL friendly.

Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner with aluminum. Period. You will destroy it. Don't believe me, put some aluminum foil in the ultrasonic cleaner. Watch it disintegrate.

You can also get the aluminum baffles replaced by silencerco. Think its around $200 but at least you aren't paying the man, or waiting 4-6 months...

I have a CAN built here locally in town by a friend. Mine all come out seperate from one another. Very easy to clean. Just spray them down with some carb cleaner and wipe them down real good.

Slightly off topic, but does it help to shoot plated bullets, or is lead recommended?

i said i have an ultrasonic, i know what it will do to AL. i only have the one of 4, .22 cal that has AL stack. everything else, higher calibers included, are all Ti or SS.

Seeing how Y'all are insensitive to those of us that like visuals (shame on you rude bastErds ) here is some eye candy. I have since switched optics to a reflex and ditched the foregrip/bipod.

Frank

Attached Images

IMAG1135.jpg (20.1 KB, 40 views)

Who said we didn't like visuals?

Here's three... Missing is a 22 sparrow

Shown (bottom to top):
15-22 Innovative Arms Integral
9mm AR SBR with Octane 9 HD
300 Blackout AR SBR with SAS Reaper