Old S&W’s in Sonic Cleaner?

kbm6893 · Oct 14, 2023

Any issue putting a 60 year old blue revolver in a sonic cleaner? I usually use hot water and a splash of Simple Green. The kind safe on all metals and aircraft. Have an old one on the way and I like wiping away the decades of crud before it goes in the safe.

chief38 · Oct 15, 2023

Unless you are running a range, renting out guns or shoot half a dozen at a time, I don't really see much advantage to using a water based ultrasonic cleaner. IMHO when using one, the guns should be put in completely disassembled so they can dry properly. By the time all that is done, you could have cleaned multiple gun the conventional way. What can I say - I am a stubborn traditionalist. For one lonely gun, I don't see the advantage.

RMFnLA · Oct 15, 2023

To actually answer your question, as long as the solution is safe for metals there should be no problem.

kbm6893 · Oct 15, 2023

chief38 said:
Unless you are running a range, renting out guns or shoot half a dozen at a time, I don't really see much advantage to using a water based ultrasonic cleaner. IMHO when using one, the guns should be put in completely disassembled so they can dry properly. By the time all that is done, you could have cleaned multiple gun the conventional way. What can I say - I am a stubborn traditionalist. For one lonely gun, I don't see the advantage.

It’s a small one and I don’t use it for routine cleaning. As for effectiveness, when I buy a used gun I strip it down pretty much all the way. I do not take the triggers apart. Did it once and a hassle getting back together. So the next one I blasted with brake cleaner. Thought it was clean but into the sonic it went. BZZZZZ! Cloud of gunk comes out of the internals. Same for the cylinder even after it was disassembled and cleaned with Hoppes. I rinse the pieces in hot water, blow out with compressed air, and then put in a brass case drying unit for 2 hours. Lightly lube where needed and it’s good for another decade or so

They have their uses.

NewLiberty · Oct 15, 2023

Ultrasonics definitely have their uses, I have an infante that a lot of the used guns that come into inventory go through.

What will happen to that 60 year old bluing depends on a number of factors, might be fine, might not be.

I personally would just hand clean a revolver of that age.

kbm6893 · Oct 15, 2023

NewLiberty said:
Ultrasonics definitely have their uses, I have an infante that a lot of the used guns that come into inventory go through.

What will happen to that 60 year old bluing depends on a number of factors, might be fine, might not be.

I personally would just hand clean a revolver of that age.

Maybe I’ll just use the water and some Dawn soap. That’s if I need to. When I test it down it might not be bad at all.

Rule3 · Oct 16, 2023

I have never understood the reason to dunk a gun (any gun) in a vat of water and some chemicals? I have cleaned a lot of really dirty guns.

Take off the grips and side plate and as many parts as you care to. Spray it out with break Kleen, Use Q tips if needed, Spray it with compressed air. Do it again if it needs it, Then a few drops of oil and done.

Neumann · Oct 16, 2023

A sonic cleaner is highly effective, but removes all lubrication and leaves things wet. You need a complete breakdown, thorough drying, and relubrication.

kbm6893 · Oct 16, 2023

Rule3 said:
I have never understood the reason to dunk a gun (any gun) in a vat of water and some chemicals? I have cleaned a lot of really dirty guns.

Take off the grips and side plate and as many parts as you care to. Spray it out with break Kleen, Use Q tips if needed, Spray it with compressed air. Do it again if it needs it, Then a few drops of oil and done.

I only use a sonic cleaner if the gun is really dirty and it does get into the nooks and crannies better than anything else. As long as the gun is rinsed well in clean water, dried in my case dryer so every drop of water is gone, and then lubed well it’s fine.

But I got the model 18 today. Didn’t really need such a deep clean so I tore it down and then cleaned with brushes, patches, pipe cleaners, and q-tips. Squeaky clean again, 64 years after it was made. Grips are numbered to the gun which I always liked.

Old S&W’s in Sonic Cleaner?

kbm6893

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chief38

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RMFnLA

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