Cleaning and ammo

[beltron462]

I use ballistol to clean and lubricate my gun. After cleaning it and wiping it down, it's inevitable that there is still some left in the nooks and crannies, or under the ejector star, that I can't wipe off (actually I leave a bit there for some lubricant). My question is this. I hear about oil and ammo being a bad combination, so when I reload after cleaning, I'm pretty sure that some of that ballistol/lube is going to get on my ammo (if I unload carry ammo for the range, it's a little slick). Is this a bad thing, or are people just saying don't intentionally lube up your ammo for some unknown reason. Sorry if this is a stupid question, newbie to revolvers.

 

[beltron462]

I guess I should've done a little more research before posting this. Just read how Gold Dots have a coating put on them when they are made. Checked some others I had laying around, and they are slick too. Oops.

 

[raymeketa]

beltron

If your ammo is slick or oily when removed from your revolver, you are using too much lube. A teeny bit goes a long way.

Even the little nooks and crannies can be cleaned with a toothbrush or a small paintbrush.

Think of a modern well-made handgun like a fine Swiss watch. You would not oil your watch, would you?

JMHO

Ray

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Absolutely, positively make certain that there is no lubricant of any kind on your ammunition. This also includes the die lube used if you are reloading. If you are lubing the ejector rod to the point that lube is migrating out you are over doing it. We have seen case and even firearm failures as a result of lubrication on shell cases. One of the functions of the brass case is to expand to the dimension of the chamber, be it a rifle, pistol or revolver. Part of the expansion is predicated on the case not sliding to the rear of the chamber causing excessive pressure. One of the few exceptions is when fire forming brass from a standard to an improved version. Lubrication, rust and or any other obstruction in a barrel (any where from chamber to muzzle) can be equally as bad if not worse. Be sure to patch your barrel and chamber before firing.

 

[Dogguy]

Okay, I'm a contrarian. I believe that if you research this you will find that a wee bit of oil on the ammo--and I do mean "wee", not dripping wet with lubricants--does not in any way affect functioning. It is VERY unlikely it will contaminate your primers, cause excessive pressure when the rounds are fired or collect enough gunk inside the lockwork to cause the gun to malfunction. Guns are mechanical objects and machines need some form of lubrication to function properly and not wear prematurely. Even Swiss watches--there is instrument oil available specifically for clocks and watches. Machines don't need to be dripping wet with oil but they work better with some type of lubrication and a little bit that migrates to your ammo will not cause you any problems.

 

[beltron462]

Well, I don't really even oil it, so to speak. The ballistol is a cleaner, protector, lubricator, and I just wipe it all down the best I can, let it sit, clean it up, scrub it with a tootbrush in spots, get in little spots with small patches, etc., and then wipe it all down the best I can, and put it away. I don't take oil and lube the rod or crane(?) or anything else, since I figure there's gotta be enough of the ballistol left in these little crevices. Good idea, or no? By the way, it's a 442, and only has 200 rounds through it.

 

[beltron462]

I meant lubricant, not lubricator...wow.

 

[moxie]

Just take a clean patch and try to get the inside of each chamber dry. Wipe both ends of the cylinder free of any excess oil and you are good to go. No worries.

 

[n4zov]

Well, I don't really even oil it, so to speak. The ballistol is a cleaner, protector, lubricator, and I just wipe it all down the best I can, let it sit, clean it up, scrub it with a tootbrush in spots, get in little spots with small patches, etc., and then wipe it all down the best I can, and put it away. I don't take oil and lube the rod or crane(?) or anything else, since I figure there's gotta be enough of the ballistol left in these little crevices. Good idea, or no? By the way, it's a 442, and only has 200 rounds through it.

If you haven't had any problems to this point, you are probably doing OK with your cleaning and lubricating. Personally I don't like ANY oil on ammunition or inside chambers, but I'm not obsessive-compulsive about getting every last smidgen out. Just be reasonably careful to keep oil off ammo and clean chambers with a dry patch. You will be fine.

 

[chief38]

LIGHTLY LUBRICATED IS THE WAY TO GO! I have seen too many saturated firearms that are dripping and oozing oil. A drop on the moving parts and pivot points IS ALL YOU NEED! With oil, more IS NOT better. All excess oiling does is gunk up your firearm, collects dust balls, ruins clothing, ruins holsters, and by the way, it does not exactly help ammo either.

chief38