Caring for Titanium

[DrewW]

I finally broke down and bought one of the guns I have been eyeing for awhile, a 646, I have wanted one ever since I found out that they existed and finally got one. The one thing that bothers me is this dang Ti cylinder I am worried that I am going to damage it so what do you guys use to clean your Ti cylinder guns? Are normal bore cleaners ok? Can you just a bronze brush or just use patches?

Thanks guys.

 

[jframefreak]

I was wondering the same thing, I just bought a 646 performance center the other day. I'll probably use hoppes and a bore mop or patches. Some cleaners aren't kind to titanium.

 

[DrewW]

Congrats on a buying a great gun! I have the non-PC gun but would like to eventually get one of the PC versions as well.

I use Remington 40X on most things but I know that is a no-no, it has abrasives and that is specifically banned on Ti, would like to know what others are using on their Ti guns.

 

[CW3PA]

Cleaning Titanium

I've used Hoppe's Elite gun cleaner & oil to good effect on my 325sc.

 

[OKFC05]

Well, I still own and shoot the 646 I bought new.

I find the titanium cylinder very easy to clean with ordinary #9 and patches--easier than steel. Rarely do I even use a bore brush on the cylinder.

Only advice I could offer is to GET OVER the fact that firing leaves rings on the front of the cylinder and leave them alone other than normal carbon removal with solvent.

I've seen titanium cylinders that were ruined by overzealous "cleaning" and attempts to "polish" the titanium. Titanium is used for pipes to carry hot salt in power plants, and it is NOT going to corrode if left with its natural finish. However, it lacks the hard surface of stainless steel and is not going to stand up to harsh scrubbing.

 

[sar4937]

I have used both CLP Powder Blast and Birchwood-Casey Gun Scrubber without damage. I have used a bronze brush in the cylinder for the carbon. I have not found a product that would take the black off the cylinder face and barrel shroud (M327). I still question whether the cylinder is Ti, or just coated somehow. Ti engine parts are nearly indestructable, I don't understand how scrubbing a cylinder could ruin it (but I know it can).

 

[Bailey Boat]

I have a 342PD and use plain, old fashioned, non high tech, used to come in a glass bottle, smells like aftershave lotion, Hoppes #9 and a bronze brush. Sometimes we get hung up on the latest, greatest thing (according to the gun rags anyway) and forget about what has worked for ages and eons.........

 

[rburg]

I still question whether the cylinder is Ti, or just coated somehow.

The underlying material is Ti, but its the coating they want you to protect by not scrubbing or scratching off. For whatever reason, the Ti is subject to flame cutting and erosion if left unprotected. So they have some high tech paint they spread on.

The real problem is us gun owners who don't like our pride and joy to look like it needs cleaning. We were either brought up or had hammered into our heads the need for a white glove cleaning. I'm thinking its not possible with Ti or Sc coated guns.

 

[DrewW]

The rings on the front of the cylinder don't bother me I already figured they were there to stay, I have used remoil and a patch with little effect but with a bronze brush I would say the remoil will take care of it. I plan to shot the gun quite a bit so being perfectly clean isn't required.

 

[TSQUARED]

All I have ever done to my S&W 646 is give each chamber 2 swipes with a bronze brush followed by a patch with Hoppes#9. I do not have any concerns about the carbon rings on the front of the cylinders of any of my revolvers and only wipe then with Hoppes#9.

 

[tomcatt51]

I polished the chambers in the Ti cylinder on my 625. They had a really lousy surface finish, ended up using a 220 grit sandpaper roll 'cause less did nothing. No signs of any problems, chambers look perfect. Gets cleaned with Hoppe's #9 and a .475 or .50 cal bore brush in a drill motor before each match and there's alot of rounds thru the gun since polishing.