Ultra sonic cleaner?
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BillBro
Member
I use them for cleaning my ARs mostly. The bolts especially. 1911 barrels too are quickly cleaned in them. They are also great for brass. I've not done as you are suggesting but I dont see why not. Have to rinse everything with water afterwards.
They do clean in places that brushes and patches probably couldn't get, and man let me tell you, they do clean. I was pretty amazed when I first used mine, again on AR bolts, the carbon and everything else immediately came bubbling to the top.
If I were you, if you want to try one, and don't need a very big one, go to Harbor Freight and buy the one they sale. It's small but I swear, it works well. It's pretty cheap compared to the likes of the ones with a recognizable name on it. I've been using mine for 2 years now pretty regularly. I've cleaned alot of 5.56 brass with it and can get about 250 empty cases in it.
When cleaning a BCG with baked on carbon its going to loosen some and remove some but you'll still have some scrubbing to do but it will be a lot less, and easier.
I can only see it being worth it if you hate cleaning your guns, which I most definitely do not. I love cleaning my guns, all of them, I dont go crazy on my barrels though, that's a quick way to ruin a good barrel, over cleaning, aggressive cleaning. That's one area where a US cleaner may be better, barrels, put it in and let those little bubbles explode and then just patch it.
Worth it? Try a cheap one and see how you like it. See how it fits into your cleaning regiment, if you dont like it for your firearms they can clean many other things. My wife loves it for her jewelry.
They do clean in places that brushes and patches probably couldn't get, and man let me tell you, they do clean. I was pretty amazed when I first used mine, again on AR bolts, the carbon and everything else immediately came bubbling to the top.
If I were you, if you want to try one, and don't need a very big one, go to Harbor Freight and buy the one they sale. It's small but I swear, it works well. It's pretty cheap compared to the likes of the ones with a recognizable name on it. I've been using mine for 2 years now pretty regularly. I've cleaned alot of 5.56 brass with it and can get about 250 empty cases in it.
When cleaning a BCG with baked on carbon its going to loosen some and remove some but you'll still have some scrubbing to do but it will be a lot less, and easier.
I can only see it being worth it if you hate cleaning your guns, which I most definitely do not. I love cleaning my guns, all of them, I dont go crazy on my barrels though, that's a quick way to ruin a good barrel, over cleaning, aggressive cleaning. That's one area where a US cleaner may be better, barrels, put it in and let those little bubbles explode and then just patch it.
Worth it? Try a cheap one and see how you like it. See how it fits into your cleaning regiment, if you dont like it for your firearms they can clean many other things. My wife loves it for her jewelry.
Make sure you buy the solvent intended for guns, and then mix it correctly. It will do a great job of reaching the small areas that are difficult to get to even with a q-tip or a toothpick.
But, keep in mind that they remove every bit of lubricant or rust prevention. I once cleaned some small parts for a friend and then left them to air-dry, and when I checked on them the next day there was already rust forming on them.
Mike
But, keep in mind that they remove every bit of lubricant or rust prevention. I once cleaned some small parts for a friend and then left them to air-dry, and when I checked on them the next day there was already rust forming on them.
Mike
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While I don't have or use one, I can't believe it would be worth the cost, hassle, disposal of chemicals etc. UNLESS you are professionally running a "shooting club, gun range that rents guns, or training school that has to clean a plethora of guns at the end of the day. To clean just one or two guns at the end of the day (assuming they have been kept up with) shouldn't be much of a hassle. Just my personal take - but to each his own. 
Tired Gunsmith
Member
We offered a cleaning service in our shop.
The revolvers or semi-auto pistols were stripped down and run through a cycle in the ultrasonic.
Great fast results, came out cleaner than new in my evaluation.
The revolvers or semi-auto pistols were stripped down and run through a cycle in the ultrasonic.
Great fast results, came out cleaner than new in my evaluation.
Patrick L
Member
I was somewhat curious too. In my other life, I'm a school music teacher. I dabble a lot in band instrument repair. For about 5 years I had a summer job in a repair shop, and one of my main jobs was putting instruments in the ultrasonic cleaner. Ours was big enough that I could have taken a bath in it (it could accommodate a full size tuba). Different solutions I'm sure, but same principle.It made a huge difference in how truly clean we could get the horns
I often wanted to try one for guns, but always had other uses for the money (bullets, primers, more guns, etc.)
I often wanted to try one for guns, but always had other uses for the money (bullets, primers, more guns, etc.)
While I do not use an ultrasonic cleaner bath on common guns, I have used a US bath on some of my older collectibles to clean all the old caked on crud without hurting the finish. I usually de-crud and de-grease prior as not to contaminate the solution prematurely. e.g. a normal cleaning with brass bore brush and perhaps carburetor cleaner in the mechanism with the side plate off.
I also place a pad on the bottom of the stainless steel basket and partitions so the parts do not "tap" nor "rub" each other during the process nor rub against the stainless submersion basket.
While the cleaning solution is usually water base, when completed ... I blow out components with compressed air (from an air compressor not "canned" compressed air) to dry them out completely.
Re-lubricate and re-assemble. Polish / wax to your own special needs.
I have never had any bad nor erratic side effects from the process.
My ultrasonic cleaner is a small but commercial model. It can fit a 1905/4th with a 6" barrel or a N Frame with a 6.5" barrel with a little room to spare. A 8" barrel on a solid frame won't make it, however, a New Model 3's with a 8" barrel fits just fine when folded open.
Hope this helps. R.S. "Sal" Raimondi, Sr.
I also place a pad on the bottom of the stainless steel basket and partitions so the parts do not "tap" nor "rub" each other during the process nor rub against the stainless submersion basket.
While the cleaning solution is usually water base, when completed ... I blow out components with compressed air (from an air compressor not "canned" compressed air) to dry them out completely.
Re-lubricate and re-assemble. Polish / wax to your own special needs.
I have never had any bad nor erratic side effects from the process.
My ultrasonic cleaner is a small but commercial model. It can fit a 1905/4th with a 6" barrel or a N Frame with a 6.5" barrel with a little room to spare. A 8" barrel on a solid frame won't make it, however, a New Model 3's with a 8" barrel fits just fine when folded open.
Hope this helps. R.S. "Sal" Raimondi, Sr.
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