Very good point. I started doing this every time that I clean my revolvers after noticing some very minor corrosion on a revolver that I purchased several years ago.
Proper Cleaning of a Revolver
- Thread starter paperboy98
- Start date
Very good point. I started doing this every time that I clean my revolvers after noticing some very minor corrosion on a revolver that I purchased several years ago.
I quit using Hoppes #9 solvent years ago. Folks like it mainly for traditional reasons, but the stuff is flat out nasty and there's no need to use it as there are endless non-toxic alternatives. I feel the same about the BF CLP. That stuff always made my nerves tingle everytime I used it. I'm not a Navy SEAL operating in extreme environments so I don't really need extreme protection. I own guns to protect and preserve my life, so it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be killed be chemicals used to clean it. I recommend avoiding carcinogens and neurotoxins and stick with products that don't contain hazardous chemicals.
Boy I'm glad this topic came up. Many of you said that after you run a brush and solvent through the charge holes and barrel, you then run a few patches through. This is where my problem lies. I run a million patches through before one goes through perfectly clean. Am I being too anal? It takes me more than an hour and I clean them this way every time. I live on a farm and can shoot whenever I want but sometimes I don't just because I don't have 3 hours. Any recommendations?
Clark B
Member
Wow y'all really get into some involved cleaning sessions. I just wipe mine down with some oil on my fingers then wipe off the crud with a rag. If I've shot it a bunch I run a bore snake with oil on the brush through the barrel and charge holes. Takes me about 5 minutes or less. Hoppe's only gets used about once a year for detail cleanings.
ContinentalOp
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In my case, I rarely shoot more than 50-75 rounds per range session, and it's all jacketed bullets, so my patches come clean fairly quickly. It does take me close to an hour to clean my gun but that's because I take my time with it. If I didn't I could probably get the gun clean in 15-20 minutes.
You don't need to get the patches spotless. One thing that might help is to look down the bore with a bore light at the other end. If your patches are relatively clean (i.e., you don't have black gunk on them) and the bore looks clean I'd consider that good enough. If you don't have a bore light put a piece of plain white paper or index card on the breech face/recoil shield and shine a flashlight on it while looking down the muzzle.
One thing to keep in mind is that many people will say that guns are more likely to be damaged from overcleaning than undercleaning. I don't necessarily follow this but I do think it's best to not go to extremes in either direction.
Use paper towels. Roll one up and run it through the barrel and cylinder after hitting 'em w/a hoppes soaked brass brush.
I'm also a fan of bore snakes - cheap on ebay.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Switch to decaf and don't worry so much. There's clean, and there's clean enough.
counter-clockwise
Member
+3 on the bore snake. Priceless. Something I like that I haven't seen anyone else do, is using a cloth meant for eye glasses after using oil on the outside of the gun, especially if there is excess. I love Oakley cleaning cloths/ glasses storage bags for this. It doesn't take away all the oil, and it seems to leave enough to where it gets that "just right" feeling, especially for my daily carry guns. ( S&W 629 and a Remington R1 with the black oxide finish)
