Cleaning and Care of 325PD

[sonofthebeach]

I spoke with S&W customer service this afternoon, and asked them if there was anything special I needed to do to clean and lubricate my new scandium/titanium/aluminum/?? 325PD.

He said not to use any solvents with ammonia or chlorine, and emphatically said to not use Hoppes #9, which I've been using on my steel guns for decades.

He said Hoppes Elite or Breakfree CLP would be fine.

I haven't used either of these products before. So, to clean the bore of the barrel (which I believe is stainless) of lead, copper, or powder deposits, and to clean the titanium/alloy cylinder chambers, would either of these products do the job? I suppose using a nylon bore brush would be ok, but not a brass brush?

And would I need to coat the bore/chambers with anything after cleaning? (I used to lightly coat my guns' barrels and chambers with a very light coating of gun oil after cleaning with the #9, and run a dry patch through the guns before shooting.)

I really don't want to mess up the titanium/scandium/upsidaisium alloys, and I'd really appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

 

[Armada]

My two pint bottles of Breakfree CLP arrived today. About $42 from Midway. My 325 PD comes monday!...I researched and consensus is... no hoppes #9. I guess the coating on the cylinder needs to be protected.

 

[sonofthebeach]

Armada,

Thanks for the reply. Will the Breakfree CLP work for cleaning, lubricating, and protecting? I just wanted to be sure I had everything I need.

I picked up my 325PD this morning, and one of the things that really impressed me was the light weight! I think the revolver is going to be pretty good for carrying concealed, considering it's light weight...and I think it's good enough of a gun/caliber combination to work around its 1.78" diameter cylinder. I'm going to spend some time looking for a decent holster for it.

I really like the .45ACP and AR cartridges...easy to handload for, and if using factory ammo in moon clips, reloading the cylinder is really smooth and fast.

Let me know how you like your PD when you get it on Monday.I know I was excited before picking mine up today!

--Andy

 

[Armada]

The bottle states it does clean,lube and protect. I used that product as an Air Force cop. I still would use a little gun oil before putting it in a case. Can't wait till next week. Already have some Pachmayr grips and moon clips standing by.

 

[sonofthebeach]

Using the Breakfree CLP would make the whole cleaning process really simple, since it does all three...clean, lubricate and preserve. So I can just run it through the bores, run some clean patches through, and at the end of the process, just leave some of it in the bore? That sounds really great!

I've started a thread about this cleaning stuff in the Revolvers section, but except for not knowing what kind of brushes to use, and whether or not I'll need to use regular oils in the action, you've answered all my questions. Thank you.

I'll pick up some of the Breakfree CLP tomorrow.

I also picked up the Pachmayr Compact grips, and although the wood grips that came with the gun really fit my hand well, I think the rubber grips that cover the backstrap will probably be much better for shooting, especially with factory loads.

Hope you have a really great weekend.

--Andy