Proper cleaning procedure?
I read with interest the topic on "over-cleaning". So what is the proper cleaning procedure for a semiauto pistol? Specifically:
1.) Should I use a solvent?
2.) Are aluminum rods O.K.?
3.) When do I use the brass bore brush?
4.) When do I use the plastic tip with the slot in it?
5.) I suppose the slot is for a folded patch to slide through?
6.) When do I use the round plastic tip with the barbs?
7.) Do I need a swab to apply oil to the bore or will a clean patch do?
8.) Patches seem too small for wiping the gun down, do any of you use paper or cotton towels?
9.) What about the rest of the gun, like the breach face, magazine well, extractor/ejector, frame, and slide? How do you clean these?
10.) What's the best way to apply oil to the slide and frame without getting it everywhere?
Thanks for your help.
1.) Should I use a solvent?
2.) Are aluminum rods O.K.?
3.) When do I use the brass bore brush?
4.) When do I use the plastic tip with the slot in it?
5.) I suppose the slot is for a folded patch to slide through?
6.) When do I use the round plastic tip with the barbs?
7.) Do I need a swab to apply oil to the bore or will a clean patch do?
8.) Patches seem too small for wiping the gun down, do any of you use paper or cotton towels?
9.) What about the rest of the gun, like the breach face, magazine well, extractor/ejector, frame, and slide? How do you clean these?
10.) What's the best way to apply oil to the slide and frame without getting it everywhere?
Thanks for your help.
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FIRST RULE: Make SURE your weapon is SAFE! No magazine in, no round in the chamber!
1.) Yes, on the bore, as needed
2.) No, unless you can KEEP 'EM CLEAN!
3.) When you use non-ammonia-bearing solvent, or something like KROIL to loosen stubborn fouling; ammonia wiull dissolve the brush as well as what little copper fouling will be left after proper cleaning with patches
4.) first, with a folded patch (of the proper caliber!) inserted & carefully wet down with something like Hoppe's 9 or Shooter's Choice or KROIL
5.) see above
6.) Never seen one myself, unless you're talking about a JAG (come in brass or plastic), which you place a patch over (wet or dry) & run thru the bore
7.) Depends - too much oil (like what I get using a swab) runs all over; I use a patch & the slotted JAG
8.) Paper? NO! It will scratch, believe it or not. Cotton's o.k. as long as it's well-washed & not frayed too much. I use my old T-shirts
9. ) Brush well with an old toothbrush or bronze "toothbrush" sold for the purpose. I use a bit of solvent on the slide grooves & rails as well, as needed
10.) with wooden toothpick, one (small) drop at a time - work the action a few times after reassembly, wipe off what you can see with your old T-shirt.
A hint: buy a cheap, plastic squeeze bottle (not all will withstand solvent) with a "nipple" tip or valve (I get mine at Walgreen's) & put some solvent in that - don't poke your patch into a clean bottle of solvent as it comes from the store, you'll only contaminate it.0 -
Thanks!! Very helpful!! What do you put down to protect your bench? Does anyone use Remington cleaning products or Breakfree?
Thanks again.0 -
You're welcome.
I use a piece of corrugated cardboard atop my bench, with a clean shop rag or two on that for the metal bits to rest upon. I've used Breakfree lube products but not their cleaning stuff, unless you call CLP a cleaner. That KROIL product I mentioned works marvels as well as a cleaner! Another hint (or two): when using a bore brush, take a patch & wrap that around the brush - it hold the solvent better where it's needed and keeps the brush itself from getting too grimy. Don't push / pull a brush inside your bore - the bristles will take a "set" & the brush won't be nearly as effective ever again. Don't push a brush out past your crown (muzzle) & then pull it back in! You'll adversly affect the crown's edge & that'll show up in your accuracy soon enough. Unscrew the brush, remove the cleaning rod, etc.0 -
If aluminum rods aren't the best, who's rods do you use and what are they made from? Do you know where I can get KROIL, I've never heard of it before? Is it a CLP product or should I use a different lubricant? Great advice about the bore brush. I just bought one, but haven't used it yet. Thanks very much! 0 -
Kroil is a penatrating lubricant, you can get it thru Midway (8oz can for $6.29).
I prefer one piece stainless rods, some people prefer the one piece plastic coated rods. Both types are available from Midway also.
www.midwayusa.com or phone 1-800-243-3220 for catalogs (they have 6 of them)
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Ditto the stainless or coated (Teflon) rods; you can get Graphite now too. Check out some of the cleaning tools (jags, rods, other odds'n'ends) offered up at http://www.sinclairintl.com. The problem with aluminium is that it's so soft you can get grit embedded in the surface unless you're very careful to keep 'em clean. Use 'em if you've got 'em but wipe the whole length down EVERY TIME you pick it up to run it thru your bore. All it takes is one little bit of grit that's stuck somewhere. Kroil isn't really a lubricant; it is an oil - true - but it's a formula that has solvents added to enable the penetrating action it's famous for! If you shoot cast bullets & have trouble with fouling, run a Kroil-wetted patch thru & leave it set for an hour or two (or overnight!), then run a tight patch-wrapped jag thru & see what comes out on the patch! Don't scrub each patch back and forth, just push each one slowly thru the bore once, then follow with another, until one comes out looking like the last. Now start again with another wet patch, let it set a spell.... The idea (as with ALL gun cleaning chemicals, I feel) is to let the stuff do what it was meant to do, which may take some time. You can add elbow grease if you like but you'll only work up a sweat & the job may not be done any better when you're done. 0 -
Another few hints-
Always clean from the breech if possible. Use a cleaning rod guide if possible to prevent long term wear on the lands and chamber; I don't use them personally as I have gotten pretty good at guiding the rod with my thumb like a pool cue. If you must clean from the muzzle this becomes even more important.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0
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