Homemade Corrosive Cleaner?

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  • mitchugh

    Active Member
    Feb 3, 2011
    340
    Germantown, MD
    Lately I've been hearing advice on the best way to clean a gun after shooting corrosive ammo and I'm starting to think that the way I've been doing it hasn't been the best. I was wondering if anyone might have any homemade cleaner ideas or recipes for a mix. I've heard people use just water, hot water, Windex or for the real mountain men, their own piss, but I'm thinking of something water based with solvents, oils or chemicals added. Maybe something that would resemble Ballistol or something similar. I just thought there might be a few nutty ideas out there. :D
     

    wilcam47

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 4, 2008
    25,972
    Changed zip code
    Lately I've been hearing advice on the best way to clean a gun after shooting corrosive ammo and I'm starting to think that the way I've been doing it hasn't been the best. I was wondering if anyone might have any homemade cleaner ideas or recipes for a mix. I've heard people use just water, hot water, Windex or for the real mountain men, their own piss, but I'm thinking of something water based with solvents, oils or chemicals added. Maybe something that would resemble Ballistol or something similar. I just thought there might be a few nutty ideas out there. :D

    from a thread about this...post #48 is good
    http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=56370&highlight=simple+green
     

    Garand1957

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Sep 30, 2007
    2,634
    The War Room
    WWII USGI Bore Cleaner.
    100% rust free bores .
    Been using it for many years and I shoot mainly corrosive surplus ammo.
    Available at gun shows, for sale on auction sites and colector forums WTS like gunboards.com
     
    After shooting corrosive ammo I:
    1- Run hot water down the barrel
    2- Run a few patches of of a 50/50 mix of household ammonia and water down the barrel ($2 in ammonia will last for years)
    3- Run a wet (water only) patch down the barrel
    4- Clean the barrel as I do with non-corrosive ammo
    5- Run a patch of Gunzilla down the barrel. I swear by Gunzilla, although many still think it is snake oil (the barrel will literally be squeaky clean)
     
    Last edited:

    cwalker3

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 3, 2010
    1,942
    Forest Hill, Harford County
    First I run a couple of patches soaked in an ammonia based cleaner, like Windex, while I'm still at the range. Once I get home, I completely break down the gun. I wipe down all parts with the cleaner and thoroughly clean the barrel with it. Once the barrel is clean, I run a few patches soaked in CLP down it and wipe down all other parts with it as well. The trick is to not let the gun sit long before cleaning it. Rust can happen overnight.
     

    Boondock Saint

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 11, 2008
    24,365
    White Marsh
    I like the sound of simple green, I think I'll have to try that. From what I gather you can't really go wrong as long as it's water based and you clean it right after shooting

    Pretty much. All you're looking to do is flush out the salts that the corrosive ammo leaves behind in the bore. Ordinary water works just fine. I had to stop at a convenience store on the way home for a bottle of water to flush out my 91/30 because I forgot to bring the small spray bottle I normally keep in my range bag. After I'm done shooting the corrosive stuff, I spray liberally down the bore from the breech until it's running out of the muzzle. After, I spray a bit of CLP until that too is running out of the bore. Let it drip for a few seconds and toss it in the case. Once home, clean as normal.
     

    jawn

    YOU TROLLIN!
    Feb 10, 2011
    2,884
    INTARWEB
    Ballistol/Water in a 1:9 mixture. Spray it everywhere, generously. Wash as you normally do afterwards.
     

    4g64loser

    Bad influence
    Jan 18, 2007
    6,381
    maryland
    Garand1957 is absolutely correct. that WWII vintage bore cleaner is THE way to roll. We clean the Lewis guns and the MG34 (and the 42 when shot with corrosive 308) with that stuff and it works.
     

    mitchugh

    Active Member
    Feb 3, 2011
    340
    Germantown, MD
    Garand1957 is absolutely correct. that WWII vintage bore cleaner is THE way to roll. We clean the Lewis guns and the MG34 (and the 42 when shot with corrosive 308) with that stuff and it works.

    Is it actually vintage cleaner, as in old and from WWII? Do you know what's in it?
     

    erwos

    The Hebrew Hammer
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 25, 2009
    13,866
    Rockville, MD
    I just dump Target's in-house windex clone into the bore. Run a snake through a few times to dry it out, and then clean as normal.
     

    4g64loser

    Bad influence
    Jan 18, 2007
    6,381
    maryland
    mitchugh--

    It is actually vintage stuff---real WWII bore cleaner. I have no idea what is in it, and probably don't want to know. My boss got a bunch of it someplace and we use it. I can tell you that it eats plastic if left on too long and that it is very unfriendly to many other materials (like your clothes). Its a white paste. If you can find it, use it.

    On the belt feds (especially the Maxim) that get run with all corrosive ammo, we usually hose them with WD40 or PB Blaster prior to casing for transport (especially when it will be a day or two til we are back, like Knob Creek) and so far (knock wood) we have been ok.
     

    Garand1957

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Sep 30, 2007
    2,634
    The War Room
    mitchugh--

    It is actually vintage stuff---real WWII bore cleaner. I have no idea what is in it, and probably don't want to know. My boss got a bunch of it someplace and we use it. I can tell you that it eats plastic if left on too long and that it is very unfriendly to many other materials (like your clothes). Its a white paste. If you can find it, use it.

    On the belt feds (especially the Maxim) that get run with all corrosive ammo, we usually hose them with WD40 or PB Blaster prior to casing for transport (especially when it will be a day or two til we are back, like Knob Creek) and so far (knock wood) we have been ok.

    It's vintage WWII surplus and often the cans will have some light rust.
    It was designed to clean rifle bores after shooting corrosive primed ammo like we had back in WWII and is a water based solvent.
    There is a guy on Gunboards who is selling it and some people on e-bay were also.
    1 can will last a long time. I just run a patch soaked with it on a jag then a dry patch. Repeat three times and then clean as normal.
    Never had a bore rust ever.
    Here is a life time supply http://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...(Update-03-08-11)&highlight=WWII+Bore+Cleaner
    If you look I'm sure you can find someone selling individual cans.
     

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