-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
How do you remove cylinder ring burns on stainless guns?
- Thread starter Wishbone
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Best way is to use a proper firearm cleaning solvent, let it set briefly, then gently agitate with a bronze, brass or nylon brush. This will get rid of most of the carbon; what remains you should learn to love -- scotchbrite pads, polish or Lead Away cloths with some aggressive use will remove all the carbon, and some metal, too. This is fine for that one perfect, pre-sale cleaning, but regular removal of metal from the face of your cylinder for purely aesthetic reasons is not advised.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,310
- Reaction score
- 30,234
I agree with Hapworth and and EVEN IF YOU DO remove the cylinder marks the very next time you shoot the gun they will return after only ONE cylinder full of ammo.
An actual benefit from the build up on the cylinder face is that on modern S&W Revolvers that have a Barrel / Cylinder Gap of more than .006" the build up could actually increase velocity of bullets because in effect the Gap has been decrease. I know that's not the intended purpose or affect, but it is what it is..........
When the build up becomes just too much, a pencil eraser (in a pinch) will also be an efficient way to remove the carbon & lead build up. Just take care to wash out (with solvent) any eraser shreddings that might fall into the ER Spring housing in the Cylinder. Works best with Cylinder removed from Revolver.
An actual benefit from the build up on the cylinder face is that on modern S&W Revolvers that have a Barrel / Cylinder Gap of more than .006" the build up could actually increase velocity of bullets because in effect the Gap has been decrease. I know that's not the intended purpose or affect, but it is what it is..........
When the build up becomes just too much, a pencil eraser (in a pinch) will also be an efficient way to remove the carbon & lead build up. Just take care to wash out (with solvent) any eraser shreddings that might fall into the ER Spring housing in the Cylinder. Works best with Cylinder removed from Revolver.
Last edited:
MichiganScott
Member
If the rings don't come off my guns with a brass toothbrush and solvent, they don't get removed.
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2012
- Messages
- 4,480
- Reaction score
- 7,611
Another vote for the lead-away cloth. One lasts forever. If you cut a patch from it and use a brass jag it also does a great job getting lead out of your barrel without scrubbing forever.
Kleen-Bore Lead Away Gun Cleaning Cloth
Kleen-Bore Lead Away Gun Cleaning Cloth
series guy
Member
I use a lead away cloth wrapped over a small plastic laminate sample. An old credit card would work too. Cleans way quicker than wrapping the cloth around your fingers.
spdguns
Member
Please don't use a Scotch-Brite! Too aggressive and abrasive. Use the Birchwood-Casey Lead Away cloth and patience.....
stang1911
Member
J. R. WEEMS
Member
Besides the 'lead away' cloth, I have some stuff I bought as case of years ago-- I find it works wonders, but I think the maker didn't have their marketing in order. Be that as it may, I have plenty, but as with lead away, do not let near any bluing. 
+1 on lead away, works great
ContinentalOp
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2009
- Messages
- 6,315
- Reaction score
- 12,811
I use CLP and a bronze brush with good results.
I use the lead away cloth. Not good on blueing, but good on stainless.
shawn mccarver
SWCA Member
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 7,990
- Reaction score
- 7,039
The answer to the OP's question is "you don't, and you certainly NEVER use scotchbrite or any other abrasive on your guns." Ever.
If you don't want burn rings, don't shoot it.
That said, if you just have to have a SAFE way to remove them, buy the Jerry Miculek video where he shows what he does when he cleans a Model 64 that has had many thousands of lead bullets fired since its last cleaning. The revolver looks so dark all over its surface it could pass for dark gray or black. In just a few minutes, the whole revolver was clean, and no more burn rings. And no voodoo either - no scotchbrite, sand paper, steel wool, electric drills or any other nonsense that you typically see recommended for this job.
Abrasives remove metal - perhaps not much with each use, but it adds up, and why would you want to knowingly increase the barrel cylinder gap so that your revolver appears to be one that has had 100,000 rounds fired through it by use of an abrasive that is not recommended.
If you don't want burn rings, don't shoot it.
That said, if you just have to have a SAFE way to remove them, buy the Jerry Miculek video where he shows what he does when he cleans a Model 64 that has had many thousands of lead bullets fired since its last cleaning. The revolver looks so dark all over its surface it could pass for dark gray or black. In just a few minutes, the whole revolver was clean, and no more burn rings. And no voodoo either - no scotchbrite, sand paper, steel wool, electric drills or any other nonsense that you typically see recommended for this job.
Abrasives remove metal - perhaps not much with each use, but it adds up, and why would you want to knowingly increase the barrel cylinder gap so that your revolver appears to be one that has had 100,000 rounds fired through it by use of an abrasive that is not recommended.
shawn mccarver
SWCA Member
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 7,990
- Reaction score
- 7,039
Sorry, but a revolver which has had that "one perfect, pre-sale cleaning" is easy to spot.
Seeing a revolver which has had that one perfect pre-sale cleaning does not cause me to think "wow, an unfired revolver worth the price." Instead, it causes me to assume the seller is trying to cover something, even if it is just the firing of many, many thousands of rounds, rather than the usual gun show refrain of "this revolver has only had a couple of boxes of ammo fired through it."
In most cases, a revolver that has been cleaned in such manner is a "deal killer" for me.
Who said anything about passing it off as unfired? I was talking about cleaning something nicely before a sale.
Hunter8282
US Veteran
I make sure there is no residue left and ignore the burn ring, it will just return the next time you shoot it.
