Vanity, Gun Cleaning (That's right, guns. FReepers come runnin'!)

July 26, 2009 | Owl_Eagle

[South Hawthorne]

I was beginning to google around for the answer to this question, but then I thought "Who knows more about guns than my fellow FReepers?"

So, I have a Mossberg 500, and I figured today would be as good a day as any to clean it. Now, in the past I've used something called "Butch's Bore Shine" but I ran out last time and haven't remembered to pick any up. It's hotter than blazes outside and the skies could open up at any minute so I don't want to walk down to the gun store. Can I use WD40 instead? I haven't fired it since I last cleaned it, so I'm not real concerned about stuff like copper and carbon build up. I just don't want to do something I'll regret.

Thanks in advance,

Owl_Eagle

[Mr. K]

wy are you cleaning it again if it hasn’t been fired?

[Loud Mime]

I was cleaning it and it just went off!

[Andonius_99]

Where’d you have it stored? In mud? :) Seriously, though, if you haven’t fired since the last time you cleaned it, you should be GTG. Just apply a little lube if it’s been a while since the last time you cleaned it.

[mountainlion]

WD 40 won’t cut the copper or lead in the bore. It is mostly kerosene and the lube is just temporary. It should do a fair job on the powder residue so go for it.

[South Hawthorne]

I clean my handgun every month, but I don’t keep that zipped up in a case like I do my shotgun.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The local gunsmith here advises not to use WD 40. Claims its gummy. I use Hoppes exclusively.

[rockprof]

I’ve always been told, by people who know, not to use WD-40. It won’t kill your gun but it will gum things up after a while. Better to wait a few days, get the proper stuff, and do it then.

[Puppage]

I just finished cleaning my Franchi 12ga.
A tad filthy from a few rounds of sporting clays.

[Daffynition]

FWIW WD-40 does not contain kerosene according to the WD website.

Owl_Eagle, if this is a one-time deal/emergency, I wouldn't worry. But for regular cleaning, I'd stick to the "good stuff."

[wagglebee]

Go to a gun shop and buy a can of Eezox. It dries very quickly, but still lubricates and it will protect the gun forever. However, with a shotgun, if it’s been oiled, not used and kept in a case it should be fine for a long time.

[EGPWS]

Well, if it's just a Mossburg and not a Remington sandpaper should work just fine. ; ) /s

[South Hawthorne]

Okay, sounds like I'll just put it off ‘till next weekend, certainly not an emergency.

I'd like to thank all you folks who chimed in.

And for all of you’s who didn't: SHAME ON YOU!!! A vanity on guns. This shoulda been run up over 100 responses by now. And if I'd posted this during work hours on a weekday, is surely would've.
Weekend FReepers, a breed apart, and not in a good way.

[50cal Smokepole]

I also have a 500. Be sure to remove the trigger assembly and assorted “stuff” that falls out (can be a pain to put back together the first time). I tried just using Gun Scrubber without tear-down. Dumb. [head slap]

[wagglebee]

There’s also Gunzilla. I bought a bottle of it a few months back and was really impressed, it cleaned and lubricated wonderfully WITHOUT the horrible odor.

In a pinch WD-40 would work fine, but it doesn’t really sound like you have anything to worry about.

[JRandomFreeper]

I use Hoppes exclusively.

God I love that smell. To be honest, since I'm a single old guy, I use that in the house instead of potpourri.

/johnny

[right way right]

Yep,Nothin more therapeutic than getting out the
Gun Cleaning kit.

[Daffynition]

Silly. We’re all just packing up to go to the range and waiting for the picnic lunch to be readied. Happy shooting! :-D

[Hot Tabasco]

I’ve tried Brakleen which works great to disolve all the powder and crud in my shotgun barrels..... Its a brake cleaner.......

[white17x]

Horrible odor ???

There’s nothing better than Hoppe’s #9. The old lady puts a dab behind each ear every night.

[Daffynition]

Hehe! I hold the patent on Hoppes #9 cologne .... little black dress, stilettos and a dab behind each ear ....bring 'em to their knees every time. '_P

[Kirkwood]

No, no, no. Unless you don’t value your gun.

[HiramQuick]

Ouch!

[JRandomFreeper]

I've taken a vow of celibacy and taken up a life of quiet contemplation. That's the ONLY reason I'm not baying at the moon like a mad dog right now. Hoppes #9 and stiletto heels. Does life get any better?

You go, girl!

/johnny

[vetvetdoug]

Go buy some Army surplus LSA oil and clean your weapon. One of the bore snakes will take care of the barrell. IMO good old soap and water and then a thorough oiling LSA/gun oil is the best way to clean a weapon of the buildup of gunpowder and bullet residue.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

WD-40?! No, no, no. It works well for what it is designed for, which is to penetrate and loosen up rust, helping to work seized up gizmos apart. It is not a cleaner nor a "resident" lubricant or rust protection - it has a carrier that evaporates away, leaving a non-proactive residue behind. I have run into more than one person over the years that have rotted their guns up with that stuff. For center-fire rifles and pistols using jacketed projectiles I use Sweet's 7.62 solvent, and it makes the copper flow out like blue paint, but it will be hard on bronze cleaning brushes unless you hose them off immediately with spray carb cleaner in a can or use plastic ones.. Otherwise, it's EEZOX, which is a CLP (clean, lube, protect) and works very well in that regard. For a protector (not a cleaner), synthetic "Sheath" oil by Birchwood-Casey is also very good - is a lot like if not the same chemical recipe as the synth oil sold by Herter's many years ago. Your success at cleaning depends a lot on your tools - must have good brushes that will make good contact with the bore and a nice supply of cotton patches, either cut up from old T-shirts or a pack you can get from a store that has them already pre-cut, ready to use. Then it is a matter of patience to stay at it until all the grunge is removed and gone.

 

 

[waterhill]

Simple Green works well with elbow grease. Dry thoroughly and oil well. Orange Oil is excellent for the furniture, just don’t use on synthetics...

[43north]

I use brake cleaner to get superficial crud off my guns. It cleans well, leaves no residue, and its cheap.

I was warned several years ago to avoid using WD-40 on firearms. Because of its properties it supposedly penetrates the primers and when you pull the trigger the gun goes “click” instead of “BOOM”.

I don’t know if this is true or not because, just in case, I have not used WD-40 on my firearms.

[Moltke]

WD-40 is the ‘cure-all’ that really excells at nothing. Get yourself some Ballistol. Tried and true.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistol

[dog breath]

I know that this might sound a little nuts, but in a pinch you can use olive oil as a lubricant. I use it on my black powder pistol and on some of my knives. Just wipe off all excess with a couple of clean patches.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It's the patchouli from an earlier age...

[bobby.223]

same here. I fill up old spray bottles. I also soak my truck cab air freshener ‘scent trees’ in the stuff........ hoppes #9, best smell ever.

[GladesGuru]

“Simple Green works well with elbow grease”

DON”T USE THAT GOO ON ANYTHING MADE OF ALUMINUM ! ! ! !

Check the receiver of your Mossberg with a magnet, then “Listen To Ypur Magnet”.

Simple Green will attack aluminum and if left on will result in a form of intergranular corrosion which may render the part unsafe.

[Lurker]

Break Free CLP. Best stuff I've ever used.

For copper fouling I use Hoppes Copper Solvent.

But in my experience the Break Free cuts through everything but copper fouling.

[Daffynition]

Heh. I'm posting from a convent and have made vows too .... I'm actually a former Pointer Sister.

[JRandomFreeper]

No, seriously. I took a vow. I can't afford any more marriages. I'm through with buying houses for wimmen that hate me.

The simple life works better.

/johnny

[Daffynition]

I hear ya ...there's something to be said for the power of *one.*

[BorisTheBulletDodger]

WD-40 evaporates and leaves a residue that over time and repeated use, can build up. It is better than nothing but if you can wait, just buy some stuff designed to clean guns.

[Mr. K]

If you enjoy that kind of thing, I guess that’s OK

But it is certainly not necessary

Sorry, I don’t know about the WD40- but I wouldn’t try it untill I knew for certain.

Let us know if you find an answer to that.

WD-40 is a ‘penetrating’ oil - it might get into places you dont want it? (pure guess)

[Mr. K]

what about “Marvel Mystery Oil” for a lube before storage?

[Armedanddangerous]

WD is a lubricant, not a cleaning agent. Get some hoppes number nine..

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My dad introduced me to Hoppe’s solvent in 1956. I was eight years old in the Cub Scouts. We shot .22s every couple of weeks in the Scouts and it seemed as natural as breathing...

[Shooter 2.5]

You only need a few good responses instead of a hundred silly replies.

1. Break Free
2. Hoppe’s
2. Elbow grease
3. Never, but never throw out an old toothbrush.

Don’t buy the junk cleaning rods for your rifles and pistols. Save your money and buy nothing but Dewey cleaning rods.

[Eaker]

You got it Shooter.

If you ever buy a Glock they are dishwasher safe!

[smokingfrog]

I don’t think WD40 would hurt anything. It would do in a pinch if you needed to take the gun outside while it was raining or something. I usually stick to Break Free CLP or LSA myself. Hoppe’s #9 for cleaning the barrel.

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

[Moltke]

Sorry, I have no experience with Marvel Mystery Oil.

[AFreeBird]

Hoppes No. 9.

Can’t go wrong with Hoppes.

It’s also a good substitute for Chanel No. 5 if you want to get your wife/girlfriend a special gift. ;)

[Shooter 2.5]

I don’t think WD40 would hurt anything.

I had sprayed some WD40 onto a Ruger Mark II and unfortunately some dripped down into the trigger mechanism. WD40 really should not be near moving parts.

[gundog]

WD 40 is hygroscopic, i.e. it will absorb water over time. Good for the occassional wipe-down of the exterior, and I've hosed down weapons that have been immersed in water with it, but never leave it on stored guns.

[Charles Martel]

I also soak my truck cab air freshener ‘scent trees’ in the stuff........ hoppes #9, best smell ever.

Heh, I've gotta try that. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that the car washes in Texas don't offer that fragrance! ;-)