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I Feel Like an Idiot Asking This, but...
12/11/2011 5:28:50 PM
...what is a good way to remove gunpowder residue from a stainless gun?
Last year, I bought my son a Ruger Alaskan for his birthday, and I bought myself one after that. We go flyfishing in some pretty remote spots, and a little protection is a good thing.
Anyhow, after a few hundred rounds, we still can't figure out how to scrub off the residue around the cylinders and that area. Hoppe's won't touch it.
I could really use some friendly advice. FWIW, this is my first stainless revolver. Thanks in advance, buddies.
Last year, I bought my son a Ruger Alaskan for his birthday, and I bought myself one after that. We go flyfishing in some pretty remote spots, and a little protection is a good thing.
Anyhow, after a few hundred rounds, we still can't figure out how to scrub off the residue around the cylinders and that area. Hoppe's won't touch it.
I could really use some friendly advice. FWIW, this is my first stainless revolver. Thanks in advance, buddies.
12/11/2011 5:35:55 PM
What you've done is already good enough but..., I know how you feel. About every other year I clean mine off with some mothers billet polish. Pops it off really easy. Most people use a flitz cloth. Anyway, the obligatory pic:
12/11/2011 5:39:40 PM
Blue Wonder
12/11/2011 5:39:58 PM
I use flitz without the abrasive, comes in a black bottle with green on the label. Its more of a liquid then the regular stuff and mentions gun cleaning right on the label if I'm not mistaken.
12/11/2011 6:02:51 PM
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
12/11/2011 6:05:26 PM
Always had pretty good luck with MPRO-7 cleaner after letting it soak a bit.
The lead cloth sounds like it might work better.
The lead cloth sounds like it might work better.
12/11/2011 6:29:57 PM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
+1 - These things are great.
12/11/2011 8:38:43 PM
I always used JP Bore Cleaner it comes in a little jar and is the consistency of a paste a little on a cleaning patch run through the barrel always comes out black and it will take off the end fouling on front of the cylinder but I may have to try the stuff from the photo above.
12/11/2011 8:39:57 PM
12/11/2011 8:46:32 PM
Hoppes and a brass brush.
12/12/2011 3:16:26 AM
Thank you, folks. Great advice! 
12/12/2011 8:52:18 AM
Originally Posted By Madcap72:
Always had pretty good luck with MPRO-7 cleaner after letting it soak a bit.
The lead cloth sounds like it might work better.
Always had pretty good luck with MPRO-7 cleaner after letting it soak a bit.
The lead cloth sounds like it might work better.
I use MPRO-7 (Hoppe's Elite is the same stuff) and yeah, I let it soak in and then a quick, light scrub with a copper brush and it's gone.
12/12/2011 2:53:43 PM
NevrDull & Brasso works exceptionally well.
12/12/2011 3:09:28 PM
nevrdull!
12/12/2011 11:19:40 PM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
+2!!
I found out about these many years ago and used them to de-crud the bores of my Chinese AKs, which are blued, so I was VERY careful. For cleaning the chromed parts like the gas piston and bolt they worked very well. The muzzle of my AKS-762 was a very bright bare steel after shooting and leaning the rifle, but I never let the stuff touch any other blued parts other than the muzzle. They work good on my FAL, too..
12/13/2011 12:17:01 PM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
This mirrors my own experience.The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
12/13/2011 5:44:26 PM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
This. I have used this cloth on revolvers that I have sold or traded (in the past, I dont sell or trade any guns anymore), and I have had dealers comment about how the gun doesnt even look fired. Works great on the front of the cylinder and the area of the frame around the forcing cone on stainless guns. I addition to blued guns, I wouldnt use it on plated or alloy frames.
12/13/2011 5:48:41 PM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
This is what I use.
12/13/2011 10:16:08 PM
I normally use Flitz or a Lead-away cloth. I find Flitz is faster and uses less work.
12/14/2011 4:07:08 PM
Originally Posted By callmestick:
This is what I use.
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
This is what I use.
As do I, they do the job.
12/17/2011 10:19:31 PM
The lead remover cloths work great on the stainless guns, and can be cut up to use as a bore patch also.
Either way, your fingers are going to be a little sore, if you try to really get everything off, as it still takes a lot of work.
If you do fire the revolver frequently, I wouldn't give it the full "leave no residue behind" treatment after every use, because it's just not neccessary.
Either way, your fingers are going to be a little sore, if you try to really get everything off, as it still takes a lot of work.
If you do fire the revolver frequently, I wouldn't give it the full "leave no residue behind" treatment after every use, because it's just not neccessary.
12/17/2011 10:38:58 PM
flitz it
12/18/2011 11:03:43 AM
Originally Posted By America-first:
As do I, they do the job.
Originally Posted By callmestick:
This is what I use.
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
This is what I use.
As do I, they do the job.
Me too.
You can find them at a local gun shop, or even Wally World.
12/18/2011 10:55:06 PM
Originally Posted By akethan:
Hoppes and a brass brush.
Hoppes and a brass brush.
This is all you need unless you are looking to make it look showroom new.
If you shoot lead bullets and start getting lead built up in the bore just wrap a piece of a Copper Chore Boy around a bore brush and scrub it out. It doesn't take long and won't hurt anything.
Jim
12/24/2011 10:24:54 PM
Why? They shoot fine. Unless you're trying to sell "as new". I don't get it. It's like patina on a carbon blade. It shows use, and character. Just sayin'
12/27/2011 6:50:57 PM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH
+1
12/28/2011 9:09:21 AM
Originally Posted By manowar669:
Why? They shoot fine. Unless you're trying to sell "as new". I don't get it. It's like patina on a carbon blade. It shows use, and character. Just sayin'
Why? They shoot fine. Unless you're trying to sell "as new". I don't get it. It's like patina on a carbon blade. It shows use, and character. Just sayin'
+1 This is what I use.
I like the black marks on the cylinders because they show it's been used and they don't affect performance at all.
I also like having a few scars to show that I've been around the block so I may just be a little off in the head.
12/29/2011 3:42:49 AM
Originally Posted By intheburbs:
+1 - These things are great.
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
[url=http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH]http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-
The simplest and easiest cleaning method for stainless is a "lead-away" cloth.
This is a stiff, yellowish cloth that's used to wipe leading and carbon off metal.
To use, just rub the area with the cloth and the residue comes right off.
It can be used on stainless revolver cylinders, gas pistons, and other areas where carbon or lead build up.
DO NOT use this on a blued gun. It also wipes bluing right off.
You can buy lead removal cloths at most gun shops, Brownell's, Midway, etc.
[url=http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-CLOTH]http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4956/Product/LEAD-REMOVER-
+1 - These things are great.
These work great. Wipes right off. Any other method is just too much work
