Revolver cleaning

jashoffa · 12-10-2007, 09:50 AM

Of all guns I think the revolver is about the easiest of all to clean. I have two problem areas and I figure it is the same two problem areas for most revolvers. The first is the cylinder face. I am talking about the rings of carbon build up, almost a carbon stain, where the cylinder and barrel meet. I can get them to fade considerably but I just can't get them to completely dissapear. What do you guys to do get your cylinder clean.

The 2nd problem area is just upove the barrel in the cylinder well, near the top strap in the cylinder well. It also has a lot of carbon build up and I just can't get in there to get it clean. even some solvent and a brush doesn't get it done.

Any tricks you guys have would be helpful.

Thanks

Guns&Dobes · 12-10-2007, 10:29 AM

Good questions jashoffa, I am new to all aspects of handguns so I want to do it correctly. I do a pretty good job but those area's you mentioned seem to be a worry spot for me.

BPierce · 12-10-2007, 11:29 AM

First of all I have to say that I would much rather clean a semi auto pistol than a revolver. One barrel as opposed to 7. That having been said,my advice is don't sweat the black marks. You have to make sure that there is no carbon build up but other than that just satisfy yourself the gun is clean. Remember more guns are damaged by over cleaning than are ever damaged by under cleaning.

Johnny_Revolver · 12-10-2007, 12:13 PM

I use a small wire brush, a bit of solvent, I finish it off with steel wool and get all the black gack off. But I`m some what pedantic, and nothing if not persistant.

Coeloptera · 12-10-2007, 12:15 PM

Well, I too notice the cylinder face does get dirty, as well as just above the barrel on the interior.

Frankly, I tend to clean my revolver every time I take it out shooting and I've learned to live with a very vague discolouration above the barrel. I just use a copper brush and your basic solvent, cleaner/gun oil combo.

Theone area I hate seeing buildup on (and I make sure to always get this off) is the ports in my Taurus Model 608's barrel. That just looks tacky, I think. But surely you've noticed similar carbon staining on the interior of semi-autos? I've seen it at the very rear of the barrel in my wife's Ruger P90, on the metal block part (I honestly forget the name of that particular part - the one the cylindrical portion of the barrel is set in).

What sort of brush arr you using? Try finding one that has a configuration more like a toohbrush (one line of bristles as opposed to a circular arrangement). That might help you get in there with a bit more force. But as BPierce said, don't overdo it. Sometimes the metal may just have some carbon permenantly caught within its surface and only lightly grinding the surface may get it out, which is a terrible idea for a revolver.

- Coeloptera

samuel · 12-10-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPierce

First of all I have to say that I would much rather clean a semi auto pistol than a revolver. One barrel as opposed to 7. That having been said,my advice is don't sweat the black marks. You have to make sure that there is no carbon build up but other than that just satisfy yourself the gun is clean. Remember more guns are damaged by over cleaning than are ever damaged by under cleaning.

He said all that is needed. sam.

jerry · 12-10-2007, 06:01 PM

Man o man, gimme a semi auto to clean any day. I remember once I was shooting the blackhawk alot, I made a cyl brush out of a baby food jar lid and 6 brushes attached to it, didn't work bad, was a bit of a pain though.

DWARREN123 · 12-10-2007, 11:52 PM

I use Rem oil and Rem 40X Bore cleaner, get them at Wal-Mart. They clean the cylinder face and top strap extremly well.

Doctor Larry K · 12-13-2007, 04:32 PM

Use a single edged razor blade to remove most of the carbon between the top strap and bbl. Don't slip and cut your thumbs.

12-10-2007, 09:50 AM	#1
jashoffa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 380 Trader Rating: (0)	Revolver cleaning Of all guns I think the revolver is about the easiest of all to clean. I have two problem areas and I figure it is the same two problem areas for most revolvers. The first is the cylinder face. I am talking about the rings of carbon build up, almost a carbon stain, where the cylinder and barrel meet. I can get them to fade considerably but I just can't get them to completely dissapear. What do you guys to do get your cylinder clean. The 2nd problem area is just upove the barrel in the cylinder well, near the top strap in the cylinder well. It also has a lot of carbon build up and I just can't get in there to get it clean. even some solvent and a brush doesn't get it done. Any tricks you guys have would be helpful. Thanks __________________ "I don't go shooting without my guns and they don't go shooting without me!" Member NRA

12-10-2007, 12:13 PM	#4
Johnny_Revolver Gun Liker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,200 Trader Rating: (0)	I use a small wire brush, a bit of solvent, I finish it off with steel wool and get all the black gack off. But I`m some what pedantic, and nothing if not persistant. __________________ It`s a good life, provided you don`t weaken.

12-10-2007, 11:52 PM	#8
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 750 Trader Rating: (0)	I use Rem oil and Rem 40X Bore cleaner, get them at Wal-Mart. They clean the cylinder face and top strap extremly well. __________________ Have a nice day!

12-10-2007, 10:29 AM	#2
Guns&Dobes Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 104 Trader Rating: (0)	Good questions jashoffa, I am new to all aspects of handguns so I want to do it correctly. I do a pretty good job but those area's you mentioned seem to be a worry spot for me.

12-10-2007, 11:29 AM	#3
BPierce Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minnesota (Becker County) Posts: 140 Trader Rating: (0)	First of all I have to say that I would much rather clean a semi auto pistol than a revolver. One barrel as opposed to 7. That having been said,my advice is don't sweat the black marks. You have to make sure that there is no carbon build up but other than that just satisfy yourself the gun is clean. Remember more guns are damaged by over cleaning than are ever damaged by under cleaning.

12-10-2007, 12:15 PM	#5
Coeloptera Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,562 Trader Rating: (0)	Well, I too notice the cylinder face does get dirty, as well as just above the barrel on the interior. Frankly, I tend to clean my revolver every time I take it out shooting and I've learned to live with a very vague discolouration above the barrel. I just use a copper brush and your basic solvent, cleaner/gun oil combo. Theone area I hate seeing buildup on (and I make sure to always get this off) is the ports in my Taurus Model 608's barrel. That just looks tacky, I think. But surely you've noticed similar carbon staining on the interior of semi-autos? I've seen it at the very rear of the barrel in my wife's Ruger P90, on the metal block part (I honestly forget the name of that particular part - the one the cylindrical portion of the barrel is set in). What sort of brush arr you using? Try finding one that has a configuration more like a toohbrush (one line of bristles as opposed to a circular arrangement). That might help you get in there with a bit more force. But as BPierce said, don't overdo it. Sometimes the metal may just have some carbon permenantly caught within its surface and only lightly grinding the surface may get it out, which is a terrible idea for a revolver. - Coeloptera

12-10-2007, 06:01 PM	#7
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Man o man, gimme a semi auto to clean any day. I remember once I was shooting the blackhawk alot, I made a cyl brush out of a baby food jar lid and 6 brushes attached to it, didn't work bad, was a bit of a pain though.

12-13-2007, 04:32 PM	#9
Doctor Larry K Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palm Springs, Calif. Posts: 405 Trader Rating: (0)	Use a single edged razor blade to remove most of the carbon between the top strap and bbl. Don't slip and cut your thumbs.