Handgun cleaning

[Catdaddy]

I have a couple of S&W 44 mag revolvers & a 357 mag revolver. I want to put up and store them for a while and I want to give them a good cleaning before I do. Could someone give me some suggestions on what would be the best ways to do this - especially what to do on the cleaning of the barrel? I appreciate all input and thanks in advance ....Catdaddy

 

[jepp2]

I don't really clean my handguns any differently from a routine range visit than if I am storing them for an extended time.

I clean my firearms as soon as I return home from firing them. The sooner you can get them into the cleaning process, the easier they are to clean. I initially coat all surfaces that have carbon/powder residue on them with Ed's Red. After letting them soak overnight, then I clean to remove all lead, copper, and powder residue. I use different cleaning solvents to remove the 3 listed above. I can list what I use, but everyone has their preferences.

After they are cleaned as listed above, I put a light coat of CLP on the bore and all external surfaces. I store them in a gun safe with a dehumidifier in it, but I live in a very dry climate. If I lived in a humid location (or the safe location is humid like in a basement) I would coat the blued steel surfaces with Rig gun grease and package them in a moisture resistant barrier. I would be less concerned about SS gun surfaces and would probably just give them the coat of CLP. Make sure you check under the grips on blued handguns.

 

[H Richard]

The question, is how long a period will they be stored, and where will they be stored? If they are going to be stored for less than 6-12 months, I would just clean as usual, and wipe down with clp. If they are going to be stored in excess of a year, I would use either Rig, thoroughly coated, or clean then apply Renaissance Wax. Be sure to store the gun is a low to medium (max) humidity area in a cool location. A dry basement is better than a hot attic.

 

[Jebus35745]

After shooting, I use a bore mop coated heavy with CLP and run it thru the cyl holes and the bbl. If I scrub the holes in the cyl I use a brush for the next size caliber bc the holes are bigger. Wipe the whole gun with CLP and put it away. Never had a problem, been shooting for years. Larry

 

[MichiganScott]

Any decent gun oil should be good for a year.

I've begun using Wipe-Out brand Patch Out and Accelerator on my guns. The amount of copper removed from a rifle barrel in a short time is astounding.

I've found that Shooter's Choice cut with 1/3 Kroil removes powder and carbon fouling as well as anything I've tried.

 

[chief38]

If your are storing your guns for let's just say less than a year, a regular thorough cleaning, oiling of the barrel and some oil wiped on the outside should be fine.

If the guns are to be stores for a long time (well over a year) I thoroughly clean them, dry them and put a nice coating of RIG Universal grease inside and out. On revolvers to be stores long term I'll remove the side plate, disassemble, apply RIG Universal, re-assemble and wrap in waxed paper and then in aluminum foil. Grips should be stored off the gun separately.
Following this method your guns should be good for many many years to come. Of course a cool dry safe helps too.

Chief38

 

[Catdaddy]

Thanks guys for the quik posts & all the helpful suggestions. I'm a novice at this and I'm unfamaliar with CLP, RIG, Shooter's Choice, and Kroil. Are these some types of oil & solvents & where would you find these products?

 

[MichiganScott]

CLP = cleaner, lubricant, protectant
RIG = rust inhibiting grease
Shooter's Choice = solvent
Kroil = "The oil that creeps". Probably the best penetrant on the market. Supposedly will actually get under copper fouling.

 

[Frank46]

When I enlisted in the Navy in '64 I figgured it would be a long time before them and I got back together. Got a turkey injector and injected rig grease into every chamber, trigger and disassembled all the bolts and greased them and the rifle bores.Wrapped them with regular plastic wrap and into the closet they went. 3 years and some months go by and one by one they came out just like they went in. Getting all the rig grease was a royal pain but finally all of it came out.
Frank