Cleaning Revolvers

[WARFAB]

I've been shooting lead .38s out of a .357. Getting all of the lead residue out of the cylinders is a major pain. After repeated cycles of using a bronze brush to loosen the stuff up, then running a patch through to wipe it out...... over and over and over..... I usually just give up and figure it's good enough.

Anyone have any hot tips on how to get the cylinders squeaky clean? Right now I'm just using Hoppes solvent. Are there better solvents for lead?

[dwa12479]

Try Ballistol. The stuff is amazing. It also doubles as your lube. I use it for everything.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004E...IiL&ref=plSrch

[thughes]

Try Ballistol. The stuff is amazing. It also doubles as your lube. I use it for everything.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004E...IiL&ref=plSrch

x2, just do NOT use it on a nickle-plated gun (it'll lift the plating right off if it gets underneath it).

What's that nasty sh it Crotser uses to get rifle bores clean? The stuff you can't leave in too long because it'll eat the steel too?

[WARFAB]

No nickel plating here. I'll have to look into this Ballistol stuff.

[WARFAB]

Hard to believe a cleaner that is environmentally friendly and safe for your hands will also strip the nickel plating off a pistol.

[thughes]

Hard to believe a cleaner that is environmentally friendly and safe for your hands will also strip the nickel plating off a pistol.

The danger is not that it strips the plating but that it will seep in between the base metal and the electroplating and "lift" that plating.

The marketing does read like snake oil but the stuff works. I also use it to condition all my old leather slings and it works great for cleaning/preserving wooden stocks too. Also removes cosmoline easily (especially from wood).

[dwa12479]

Hard to believe a cleaner that is environmentally friendly and safe for your hands will also strip the nickel plating off a pistol.

That's German engineering for ya.

[Calculon]

I switched to Ballistol from Hoppes based on earlier recommendations here on AA. Have to say I like using it much better. Doesn't knock you out or linger as long as Hoppe's (most prominent ingredients are kerosene and ethyl alcohol). Ballistol cleans and lubes so saves a step too.

[dwa12479]

I'll bring a can to the next AA lunch meeting, you can try it out.

[masterswimmer]

Anybody use FrogLube?

[thughes]

Anybody use FrogLube?

Only when they get squeaky.......

[Meketrefe]

I agree ballistol is amazing stuff.
the cylinder if it is too bad you can put it in the sonic cleaner with a copper solvent agent and then very hot water.
This also takes the grim from the powder outside the cylinder.
The bore just hoppes should work but you can also put it in the sonic cleaner if you hang it from a whire
like a coat hunger and obviously don't let anything come past the breech and firing/trigger group.

[Tony]

In the cylinder I've used Hoppes, a bronze bore brush, and a hand drill to remove lead fouling with success.

[WARFAB]

I was given a Lewis Lead Remover for .45 and the 9mm/.38 attachments should be in my possession Tuesday. The reviews I've read say that this thing will remove lead buildup quickly and safely. I'll post some photos and a review of how it works as soon as I get a change to dirty my .357.

[Ham_Chu]

Just sayin....Amazon sez this about that 'safe for the hands thing:'
Important information

Legal Disclaimer

This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

[Norm DeGuerre]

everything in Cali has that label ..!!