Gun cleaning advice sought - What do you think of solvents?

[SlickWillard]

Venison season is just around the corner, and the local Walmart is stocking up on hunting supplies. All the gun cleaning kits have both oil [to be worked with a cloth], and solvents [to be worked with a wire metal brush]. My question: Is it possible that solvents, worked with a wire metal brush, could do more harm to your barrel than benign neglect? My guns are Mossbergs from the 590A1 series.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[SlickWillard]

Also, anyone know how I can bump this to the Bang List?

[fogarty]

I never need to use solvents, mostly because I clean and lubricate my weapons immediately after firing and regularly between firings.

I'd say you can't do much better with plain old Break-Free CLP and regular lubrication and cleanings with only that.

[RightWhale]

The solvents work well with the cloth, and get the powder gunk out of there. The brass brush would aid in getting lead off the rifle lands, which the shotgun wouldn't have anyway.

[Lurker]

Since brass is softer than steel, you can safely use them on your shotgun bore. If all you're asking about is your Mossberg, I recommend Break-Free and a brass brush, followed by patches of the appropriate guage.

Removing copper fouling from a rifle bore is another matter. Since you didn't ask about it, I'll refrain from offering an opinion.

Regards,

L

[greydog]

You can use any nitrate based solvent to cleanse powder residue (it's also a good alibi if you get your hands "bagged" by the police after a shoot).

Acetone is an excellent solvent too, but make sure and oil all surfaces well after cleaning, then wipe off and lightly oil about 48 hrs later.

[Henchster]

Solvents? No way, check out MPro7, THE cleaning/lubricating fluid for guns, or your FA-18 Hornet. http://www.mp7.com

[toddst]

Is it possible that solvents, worked with a wire metal brush, could do more harm to your barrel than benign neglect?

As long as you are careful not to bang around in the bore with your cleaning rod, the answer is no. You won't harm your gun with the solvents.

[Tench_Coxe]

Nitrate based solvents ( like Hoppe's ) should be fine, as long as you don't let them sit for a long time on the metal--as soon as you're done cleaning out the powder with the solvent, make sure to run a dry cloth over the surfaces to get any solvent that remains.

[Joe 6-pack]

There were certain portions of the gas system in the M249 which were subject to sever carbon and copper fouling...so much so that GI CLP and extensive copper brushing and elbow grease were marginally adequate. The little MRE bottles of Tabasco proved far more effective.

Later on in life I would experience similar problems with my .50AE Desert Eagle and solved them in a like manner. For less egregious problems than baked on copper and carbon, I've always found an dip in diesel coupled with a thorough drying and a light film of Hoppes (oil, not solvent) best for cleaning and general, between use storage. I've found various cleaning and lubricating practices work better for various methods/ lengths of storage and/ or climates.

[Willie Green]

My question: Is it possible that solvents, worked with a wire metal brush, could do more harm to your barrel than benign neglect?

There is no such thing as "benign" neglect.
Clean your firearms immediately after use.
The crud that collects attracts moisture (humidity) leading to the formation of acids. Over time, if "neglected", these will eat away at the bore causing severe pitting. This may be of less concern with shotguns than rifles or handguns, but it is good practice nonetheless for ALL firearms. Keep them well maintained at all times, and safely stored when not in use.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... No way, check out MPro7, THE cleaning/lubricating fluid for guns, or your FA-18 Hornet. http://www.mp7.com"

WARNING: MPro7 cleaning solution will cause irreversable damage to some plastics used in modern firearms!

I've also seen it soften the paint on other types of finished firearms.

MPro7 cleaning solution should only be used on all-metal gun parts, though the MPro7 lubricating solution looks to be just common silicone in a bottle.

My suggestion for cleaning shotgun barrels is Simple Green.

[spqrzilla9]

If you don't mind mixing your own, search the web for "Ed's Red" - a formula for homemade gun solvent. I use it by the gallon.

[MossbergPump]

If you want even more encouragement about cleaning, along with a few "once a year" opinions, go over to www.thefiringline.com and use the search function to find shotgun cleaning info.

If you shoot a lot of lead slugs instead of normal birdshot or buckshot you may want to get a special lead solvent as well.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... If you don't mind mixing your own, search the web for "Ed's Red" - a formula for homemade gun solvent. I use it by the gallon."

Indeed. Ed's Red is the best of the best, and it's an ancient Chinese secret.

[Dead Dog]

Sweet's 7.62 is really good for copper build up.

[July 4th]

I'd say you can't do much better with plain old Break-Free CLP and regular lubrication and cleanings with only that.

Break-Free is awesome stuff.

[The KG9 Kid]

Instructions for making your own 'Ed's Red' solution:

''Ed's Red'' Bore Cleaner... Home-Mix Really Works!

[BulletBrasDotNet]

Where will you be hunting? If you have to ask these questions, I don't want to be in the same county when you're carrying. Can you name the components of a modern smokeless firearm cartridge?

[crz]

Dawn dish washing soap in as hot as water you can. Then clean it with gun oil after. I use this when I clean my Black Powder rifle. Then I dry it and then use gun oil after.