I'm cleaning the rest of my guns from Friday's range outing this evening. I cleaned my SR9c right after I got home since at the moment it is my main concealed carry firearm. It seems most folks I know use Hoppe's No. 9, but this is my preference.
Since I don't shoot naked lead cast bullets, I don't need a lead solvent. My bores have copper fouling from my plated hand loads or jacketed commercial ammo. The receivers, mags, feed ramps, slides, and cylinders are covered in burnt powder residue. This product does an excellent job tackling both issues for me.
What you use is less important than the fact that you use something. And you use it correctly at the appropriate intervals. Amazing how some people rarely if ever clean their firearms and often just run a wet patch down the bore once or twice and give the rest a quick wipe down.
ReplyDelete@Dan: I'll go ya one better. My neighbor came to me complaining of loading issues with his .30-.30 Marlin 336, which is normally unheard of. Those guns have been around forever and are super reliable. Here's what I found out. He has NEVER taken it apart for a thorough cleaning, therefore he was cleaning the bore from the muzzle, dumping the barrel gunk right into the action. Then to lubricate it, he would turn the gun upside down and drizzle 10W30 motor oil into the receiver. I showed him how easy it was to field strip and clean and lube properly. But because it was such a mess, I had to tear it down completely meaning scope removal. When I was done, he had a clean, lubricated, and properly operating rifle. We then took it to my range and re-zeroed for 100 yards. He was very happy.
DeleteA couple of years later I asked how the rifle was and if he was keeping up on it. He told me he was maintaning it the old way he always did, it was too much bother to field strip.
Sigh... you just can't fix stupid.
How is the cost comparison between that and hoppes?
ReplyDelete@Bear Claw Chris Lapp: I'd say it's less expensive since its a 2-in-1 solvent. On the Birchwood/Casey site it lists for $7.99 for the 5 oz bottle. Hoppe's Powder Solvent and Copper Solvent came in separate bottles last time I bought it. Plus, the Birchwood/Casey stuff does not have the offensive pungent aroma that makes my wife ask if I'm cleaning guns.
ReplyDeleteMy first centerfire handgun was a P64 in 9mm Makarov. A military firearm, it had a chrome plated bore. I read that you should not use a copper solvent in a chrome plated bore, as chrome would not adhere to steel, and so they have to copper plate the barrel first, before chrome plating the barrel.
ReplyDeleteDo you know if that is true, or just some internet nonsense that I read? I never had a problem with cleaning the gun, since it was bought new, never fired, made in 1969. I bought it from the first Michigan Cabellas, I think I paid 179 for it, with an original holster and one magazine. I loved the gun, did a bit of work on it, to make it less brutal to shoot, but had to sell it, due to financial reasons.
I myself also have the Ruger SR9c. A very nice gun, one of the better shooting striker firing guns that I personally have owned. I am interested in taking a look at the STD imported Tisas Stingray, in 9mm. A series 70 1911, it is the gun that I have always shot the best. The only company I see selling it right now is Midway, and they are selling it at MSRP. I have to at least get a hand on one, to see how they feel.
@pigpen51: I am not a firearms expert, I just have some experience. I have never heard anything like that about chrome lined barrels. But, if that's how they are truly manufactured, it would not surprise me if someone had a worn barrel with thin or worn out chrome ended up having such a problem. I looked around on line and found some anecdotal references, opinions running 50/50, but no first hand experience with chrome lining failure.
ReplyDeleteI started out with Hoppes in the late 70's, then switched to Shooter's Choice in the early 80's (or thereabouts) and have been using it ever since. For long guns, I flood the bore with and eye dropper, make a few passes with a brush, then let them stand on the muzzle over night.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as how Shooter's choice removes copper fouling and I use bronze brushes, I hose the brushes off with brake cleaner after each use. Also, a worn out bore brush is the best patch holder you will ever find. While on the subject, my go to lube is this stuff--
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-Advanced-Full-Synthetic-Motor-Oil-15W-50-1-qt/20713645
Concur on the chrome lined barrels. They are impervious to just about everything. If there are issues, likely caused by poor plating process or worn out from use.
Read your side bar. My enlistment oath was in February of 1974. After basic, graduated Small Arms Repair School at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. MOS 45B. Wound up stationed in West Germany.