Model 66 cylinder issue

[Pine_Worker]

An ultrasonic cleaner will do nothing to remove hard carbon and lead buildup. Do what oink suggested. I have successfully remove heavy leading from a police shotgun barrel using Shooters Choice Lead remover solvent and about 2 hours of scrubbing. Be sure to follow instructions and RevolverJim's advice.

 

[stansdds]

Ultrasonic cleaning is not going to remove carbon and lead. Lewis Lead Remover will. Poor man's Lewis Lead Remover is a bronze bore brush with a strip of pure copper Chore Boy pot scrubber wrapped around it.

 

[DGNY]

Much good advice above. If that were my cylinder and it were separated and stand alone, I might well pre-soak it for a few days in some Sea Foam cleaner, or a penetrant of one's choice.

Followed by rotational penance via the above-mentioned copper Chore Boy on a suitable bronze brush made happy by additional application of solvent.

That experience, both in waiting and in exercise, would allow time for one to ponder how never to let that happen again!

 

[Snapping Twig]

If you reload, try this...

Get a .357 empty case.

In your loader, over flair the case mouth.

Using the deburring tool, make the case mouth edge sharp.

Use this new tool to scrape the carbon out of the cylinder. You'll probably need something like Shooter's Choice or Hoppes as well.

 

[BigChief52]

+1 on the Chore Boy and bronze bore brush. Chore Boy pads are shredded copper. Just pull off some copper strands and wrap them into the brush. This is also my favorite method of removing lead fouling from barrel bores.

 

[Jeppo]

If you reload, try this...

Get a .357 empty case.

In your loader, over flair the case mouth.

Using the deburring tool, make the case mouth edge sharp.

Use this new tool to scrape the carbon out of the cylinder. You'll probably need something like Shooter's Choice or Hoppes as well.

An alternative is a scraping tool designed specifically for removing .38 fouling from .357 cylinders. Google "SliXprings Scraper".

 

[model70hunter]

Clean till every wall and grove is cleaned of residue.
I'm reading your post in my cell may have missed something.
BUT did I read someone else's unknown reloads?

Never ever use unknown reloads by individuals. Never ever.

I know there are excellent reloaded on this forum but it is a science that must be done under precise accurate measured steps.

How I learned reloads by others are not safe.

In the late 60's I had picked up a Colt agent in a trade. It was hurting my cousins ears. Hurt mine too. I was at a small bait fishing gun shop on a mom and pop store been there many times. I happened to ask if he had any 357's he said no I've a 38 NIB around here that I ordered for a guy 10 years ago and it came in 38 not 357 like I ordered. I was going to pass but said let's look at it.

He dug around the bottom shelves and pulled out a dusty box. Inside was a new Colt 2nd gen 38 Special with a 7.5 bbl. not what I wanted but he said straight trade. I took it. He said he'd always wanted a snubby to carry out with nightly receipts. This is step one in learning to not use joe blows reloads.

Bait shop didn't have pistol ammo so I go to pawn and gun store. He had 38's this was back in the day full ammo shelves. He had reloads from a local guy about 2 bucks a box. I grab 3 and buzz back to the farm.

Set up a target, 1st shot light pop, 2nd shot itty bitty pop. Neither hit the paper target at 7'. 3rd shot sounded like a mouse passing gas almost didn't hear it. Getting ready to shoot #4 but my mind went curious. I pulled the cylinder for safety. No light coming thru bbl. drive out the bully with an aluminum cleaning rod tried a round from another box. Same mouse toot. Drive it out. Go back to gun shop. He went pawn shop in me, said no warranties. I went to local Ben Franklin that sold guns and ammo bought some 38's and enjoyed my Colt. Wasn't smart enough to keep it but.

I ordered a 38 reloading set up from Herters and did my 38's. Which led to a Lyman spar t reloading press and all needed to load for a list of calibers From 222 to 458 win and most in between prior to the new short mags.

What's this have to do with your 66?
You don't know it's history. Like one poster mentioned DId someone put in a 38 cylinder?
Other issues unknown?

I would clean it and if fowling isn't the culprit I'd Thales it to a gun smith to be measured. Might save your gun your fingers or eye. Please do it right for yourself.

My stance on getting it checked is from buying a model 19 at a gun show slick looker,4" perfect. But 357's wouldn't fully chamber gun smith said it's a 38 cylinder. Whoa I'd been had. I had the smith find and install a cylinder.
Me the guy of a 1000 got took. I looked for that guy at every gun show in STL until I retired and moved.

Get it cleaned can anyone here tell by numbers on cylinder? Buddy I wouldn't ream it out because heat treating is probably different.

 

[gwpercle]

Clean the cylinder with a tight fitting (new) brass bore brush , gun solvent of your choice and plenty of elbow grease ... do not risk ultra sonic and Simply Green or Dawn or any off the wall cleaning method / material .
NOTE ... Clean the gun , scrubbing barrel and cylinder , after EVERY range trip ... it doesn't matter if you shoot 1 or 1,000 rounds ...Clean the Gun ... Don't let the residue build up and you wont ever have a problem .
The guy's who say you don't need to clean and lubricate your guns are either fools or idiots ... don't listen to them !
Gary

 

[.38SuperMan]

Is there any concern using an oversized bronze bore brush to clean the chambers. I've used an old worn 45cal brush in 38 cylinders and never observed any issue. I've also used a nylon 25 cal in 22 chambers with no evidence of problems. I've done this for decades. Any thoughts?

 

[glenwolde]

Is there any concern using an oversized bronze bore brush to clean the chambers. I've used an old worn 45cal brush in 38 cylinders and never observed any issue. I've also used a nylon 25 cal in 22 chambers with no evidence of problems. I've done this for decades. Any thoughts?

I've been using a .375 rifle brush for .38/.357 chambers since the 80's.

 

[gwpercle]

Is there any concern using an oversized bronze bore brush to clean the chambers. I've used an old worn 45cal brush in 38 cylinders and never observed any issue. I've also used a nylon 25 cal in 22 chambers with no evidence of problems. I've done this for decades. Any thoughts?

No Problem ... that is exactly what I use , 40+ years at least, and if the 45 cal brush gets too loose with use ... wind a thin layer of #0000 steel wool around the old brush to " Refresh" it ... works like a black magic charm !
Gary