Cleaning Warning / Reminder

[Majorlk]

For those of you with actual muzzle brakes and/or compensators on your rifles instead of the basic flash hider, don't forget to clean the powder residue from the slots in the device! I forgot this little task and put about 3k through it (1,100 rounds on last Friday) without cleaning the slots in mine.

It took me over 30 minutes to soften the baked-on residue and get the slots clean. I had to essentially chisel it off with a small blade screwdriver. FWIW, GunScrubber has virtually no effect on the crud.

I'm a little embarrassed to post this, but hopefully it will keep some of you from going through the same thing.

 

[w0ady]

good reminder. i dont have that problem with my shroud but i still always try to wipe off the front pretty well.

 

[PapaChop]

Pipecleaners with CLP work fine if you do it semi-regularly. It is easy to forget about, though.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Good reminder. Just got a 14.5" upper with a permanent break. I wouldn't have thought to make sure the holes were clean.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Comps work better on a .22 when they weigh three times more filled with crud.





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[Majorlk]

Comps work better on a .22 when they weigh three times more filled with crud.

<ggg>

Mine wasn't QUITE that bad, but close.

 

[Majorlk]

Good reminder. Just got a 14.5" upper with a permanent break. I wouldn't have thought to make sure the holes were clean.

Oh yea, keep 'em cleaned out.

Normally I do every 1k, but this time it got away from me. My kids and grandkids spent a couple of days at the range and put about 3k downrange over the week and I didn't do a cleaning.

I'm not a neat-freak with cleaning, normally, but I do blow out the FCG, clean the BCG and run a boresnake through it every two boxes of ammo, though.

 

[Majorlk]

Question:

What do you (collective you) use to clean the BGC channel in the upper. I have been using a rag wrapped around a 12-gauge brush but am not completely satisfied. Had anyone tried a baby-bottle or similar sized brush?

 

[strobro32]

This is what my suppressor collects after only 1000 rounds.

After soaking in "The Dip" overnight and with no scrubbing.

The reason for a take apart SS suppressor.

 

[strobro32]

Question:

What do you (collective you) use to clean the BGC channel in the upper. I have been using a rag wrapped around a 12-gauge brush but am not completely satisfied. Had anyone tried a baby-bottle or similar sized brush?

The grocery or home improvement stores sell a cheap long brush for cleaning under the fridge. It's great for cleaning long SMG mags and AR uppers.

 

[Majorlk]

Thanks! I hadn't thought of using one of those.

 

[Gopher Slayer]

Question:

What do you (collective you) use to clean the BGC channel in the upper. I have been using a rag wrapped around a 12-gauge brush but am not completely satisfied. Had anyone tried a baby-bottle or similar sized brush?

A 12 gauge mop soaked in solvent.

Every other cleaning, I use a plastic dental pick looking thingy from Otis to scrape off the stuff that wants to stick around.

I use a small brush for the channel that the metal rails slide in.

brush and pick laying on top

You can also go to your local homebrew shop and get some nice brushes for cleaning carboys. My old man doesn't brew so much anymore so I picked a few up from him. They work, but splatter a bunch of crud everywhere.

 

[Majorlk]

Oh, I have a well-stocked cleaning setup, it's just this one particular problem that's new to me. A 12-Gauge mop just doesn't seem to give enough scrubbing action.

I've been using dental picks for years, thanks to my dentists. Most dentists have a drawer full of picks they no longer use and will give them to you. I prefer actual metal picks to the plastic ones. They can be bent to specific curves and the stay that way. Also the tips can be ground to fit specific size slots, like those extractors fit into. And they don't bend under moderate to heavy pressure.

BTW, pill bottles make great storage containers for bore snakes.

 

[lard]

Boresnake

Oh yea, keep 'em cleaned out.

Normally I do every 1k, but this time it got away from me. My kids and grandkids spent a couple of days at the range and put about 3k downrange over the week and I didn't do a cleaning.

I'm not a neat-freak with cleaning, normally, but I do blow out the FCG, clean the BCG and run a boresnake through it every two boxes of ammo, though.

Majorlk: what brand boresnake do you use? Thanks.

 

[Majorlk]

Majorlk: what brand boresnake do you use? Thanks.

I didn't know anyone but Hoppe's made boreSnakes. They have a copyright on the name.

 

[Majorlk]

After soaking in "The Dip" overnight and with no scrubbing.

What is "The Dip"?

 

[strobro32]

"The Dip" is a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. DO NOT USE on aluminum or steel, just stainless steel or titanium. The dip dissolves aluminum fast and carbon alloy steels slowly. I have used it on muzzle breaks and compensators if dipped for a short time, a few hours.

Caution:
The used dip fluid and debris from the cleaning process is considered a hazardous material, since it creates lead acetate. Lead acetate can be absorbed through the skin and is know to cause reproductive harm in people. (The Romans used it as a sweetener and that did not turn out well for them) Always use waterproof gloves. I use disposable Nitrile gloves. While using "The Dip" make sure it is in a well ventilated area and not sealed up in a closed container. It does produce a gas that is not healthy. Do not pour the used fluid down or find it's way into the ground water system (sewer, landfill)

Process:
1. Remove as much of the any big chunks of lead from the suppressor if possible.
2. Put any parts of suppressor made from SS or Ti in a glass , PVC or stainless steel container. I use old spaghetti sauce jars. If you use a lid be sure to keep it loose. The reaction produced small gas bubbles that are harmful. Use in a well ventilated area.
3. Change the liquid every 24 hours. I have gone as long as 60 hours for my Spectre without any damage.
4. Remove parts from the container with gloved hands or instruments. Wipe the debris from the surfaces with paper towels.
5. Let it dry completely and don't forget to put some antisieze on the threads before putting her back together.

You can dispose of the dip and used paper towels at your HazMat day at the local landfill. Be sure to label it "Lead Acetate". You might have to call them and ask when the next household hazardous waste day is. If you don't have one of those, take it with your used motor oil to your local Autozone, Advance autoparts or oil/tire change place and dispose of it that way. Mine has a HazMat day 4x a year.

 

[Majorlk]

Thanks for the information. I think I'll pass on using that.

 

[w0ady]

makes me lean towards a suppressor i have to send off to clean ha.

but i usually use old toothbrushes and q-tips for cleaning my bcg with clp.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I guess there is one advantage of having a 1522 with a non- threaded barrel.....