Silver flakes on cleaning patches

honkwilliams

February 20, 2014 01:53

I just bought a slightly used Benelli Nova 12 ga. The exterior is literally like NIB but the bore was pretty dirty. Based on the condition I think it has been fired only a few times, put a way and never cleaned. What puzzles me is that I am getting fairly big silver colored flakes coming out on my cleaning patches. I used a Tipon carbon fiber cleaning rod with a brass jag so its not from that. Is this chrome coming off of a new barrel? Is it normal for a new gun? I usually buy used. Thanks.

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  Mobuck

  February 20, 2014 02:06

  If the chrome lining is flaking, you should be able to see the divots in the bore. I vote for lead smearing coming loose during cleaning.

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  charliemeyer007

  February 20, 2014 03:59

  It could be anything, lead should look grey. Perhaps some nickel plated shot? If the chrome is flaking you ought to be able to see it in the bore and feel it with a tight patch.

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  lcdrdanr

  February 20, 2014 04:54

  If you're not seeing a change in the bore finish then it's gotta be lead smears. Flecks and sparkles, bright and shiny (not grey) are not unusual when shooting cast bullets in a firearm that normally takes jacketed ammo so I'm sure the same thing happens with a shotgun. And, it only takes a couple of shots to smear lead on the inside of the bore.
  
  Dan R

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  cbyerly

  February 20, 2014 05:17

  Antimony. Use Shooters Choice to clean.

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  beantownshootah

  February 20, 2014 11:19

  quote:Originally posted by honkwilliams
  Is this chrome coming off of a new barrel? Is it normal for a new gun? I usually buy used. Thanks.
  
  Nova does have a chrome barrel, but I'd be shocked if you could actually dislodge the chrome with any sort of normal cleaning effort. That would indicate a serious QC issue, and as mentioned, if this were the case, you'd probably be able to see the chrome flaking off on close inspection of the bore with a light.
  
  I agree with above. This is probably just smeared on shot pellet metal coming off in flakes with cleaning, and assuming the bore looks otherwise normal, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

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  Tailgunner1954

  February 20, 2014 11:20

  Bet it's plastic (from the wads), not metal.
  Hit one with a lighter, and see if it reacts (melts or burns)

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  JIM STARK

  February 20, 2014 14:51

  Unburned flake powder??????
  JIM.........

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  bambambam

  February 20, 2014 16:06

  quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
  Bet it's plastic (from the wads), not metal.
  Hit one with a lighter, and see if it reacts (melts or burns)
  
  
  I second that[;)]

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  toad67

  February 20, 2014 17:19

  try a magnet

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  honkwilliams

  February 24, 2014 12:46

  Thanks for the input. Yeah I guess it is just lead - duh!

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