Cleaning Gun Powder Deposits - What Works Well?

[ZeeOSix]

I cleaned my .357 Ruger LCR tonight, and it had a fair amount of carbon like powder burned deposits at in the cylinder holes (shot mostly 38 Special ammo) and in the forcing cone at the entrance of the barrel. I tried 3 different "powder cleaning solvents" with a brass brush and it was still a bear to get them cleaned off the metal. Is there some super duper cleaner out there that will do a better/quicker job? All my stuff is pretty old, so maybe it's not as effective as it would be if new & fresh.

 

[Shannow]

Ed's Red

 

[Olas]

Brake cleaner comes straight to mind. If you have time to let it soak, redline si1 or diesel would both soften the deposit enough for you to wipe it off

 

[Robenstein]

I have seen marvels mystery oil bust up carbon if you let it soak.

 

[demarpaint]

GM Top engine Cleaner [if you can still get it] works amazing at cleaning carbon fouled barrels. It's an old trick used by bench rest shooters. Slip 2000 works well too, but the TEC has been the best for me.

 

[BISCUT]

Marvel Mystery oil and Kroil oil were old ones my grandfather use to use. I get t he same powder burn marks on my M&P 340 357. I use break Free CLP and Wipe Out accelerator with Wipe Out liquid.

 

[DuckRyder]

I would be really careful with brake cleaner on polymer and blackened finishes. So careful I wouldn't use it. You can get M-Pro7 Gun Cleaner pretty easily and it works well.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT

Marvel Mystery oil and Kroil oil were old ones my grandfather use to use. I get t he same powder burn marks on my M&P 340 357. I use break Free CLP and Wipe Out accelerator with Wipe Out liquid.

I use MMO in my shotgun, and have been very pleased with the results. Wipe Out with the accelerator works well too. When I use it I let it sit over night, and turn the gun from a trigger down to a trigger up position after a few hours of soaking.

 

[RedOakRanch]

Hopped elite cleaner has worked good for me. Let it soak in.

 

[barkingspider]

Originally Posted By: RedOakRanch

Hopped elite cleaner has worked good for me. Let it soak in.

+1. Hoppes is cheap and it works

 

[95busa]

Razor blade. It flakes right off. Scotchbrite pad with Hoppes #9 if any is left.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: 95busa

Razor blade. It flakes right off. Scotchbrite pad with Hoppes #9 if any is left.

I wouldn't be using this on anything other than stainless.

 

[gomes512]

Hate those cylinder rings from .38. Ed's red works very well for me. Another great product, albeit more expensive, is Mopar's Combustion chamber cleaner. Cuts right through carbon.

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: Shannow

Ed's Red

X2

 

[Texan4Life]

Hoppe's no. 9 gun solvent

 

[Bandito440]

Originally Posted By: barkingspider

Originally Posted By: RedOakRanch

Hopped elite cleaner has worked good for me. Let it soak in.

+1. Hoppes is cheap and it works

Originally Posted By: Texan4Life

Hoppe's no. 9 gun solvent

#9 smells nice too.

 

[95busa]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein

Originally Posted By: 95busa

Razor blade. It flakes right off. Scotchbrite pad with Hoppes #9 if any is left.

I wouldn't be using this on anything other than stainless.

Exactly. I should have specified.

 

[bubbatime]

Do what I do. Knock down most of the carbon with a good cleaner such as powder blast and a brass brush. Then a couple patches and call it good. Anything that is left over after that is only cosmetic in nature and wont affect functioning.

 

[totegoat]

Hoppe's is cheap, works, and I like the smell of it. The secret is running a wet swab and letting it soak awhile. Cleaned up after thousands of rounds of various gauges and calibers.

 

[UncleS2]

Another vote here for Hoppe's #9. Wet the powder fouling well with good ol' #9 & let it sit & soak for a while. A shame they con't have an aftershave that smells like the old formula Hoppe's #9.