[poordevil]

It is a Colt 3rd Dragoon. I wanted to ask you guys if you ever soak the frame in hot soapy water. I never have done that but I think I saw some guys post that they do it all the time and then dry it out in a warm oven, then spray the innards with water displacing oil. Yea or nay?

[AdmiralB]

I take mine completely down every time I shoot. Everything metal goes in hot soapy water, but the only things I ever put in the oven are Colt frames - the oven on 225 or so will boil water out of the arbor/frame interface.

If you put the other parts in the oven, the water will cause rust before it evaporates.

[Smokin_Gun]

I don't do the oven thing. I jus' use scaldin' hot soapy water and the same with the rinse water, Tear it completely down soak, scrub, rinse and dry...the hot metal evaporates the moisture left. Then I jus' do a standard lube where it should be. Then put it in the safe...

[poordevil]

I have never broken a frame down before. I am kind of nervous that it will not go back exactly the way it is now. I really like the way it is operating, indexes perfectly, very smooth.

Honestly I would rather practice on another gun first like my 1860 that has indexing problems

So I guess my question is what is the best way to clean the frame without actually taking it apart?

In the past I have squirted bp solvent in the lock, worked the action until it gets into everything real good, then rinse it out with water chasing oil until things run clear. But I have always kept water out of the action

[theotherwaldo]

The Colt comes apart nice and easy - once you master the wedge, anyway. You are much more likely to ruin the gun by not cleaning the poor thing than by taking it apart.

Go ahead and practice on the '60, then clean that Dragoon!

[Chawbaccer]

By not taking the frame apart, you are running the risk of the screws rusting in place. Some day it will be necessary to break it down and when that day comes it will be pretty nice if the screws come out.

[Voodoochile]

I Completely strip my revolvers about once every 6-9 months, inbetween that time I just remove the cylinder & the wood grips & place the whole thing in a 5 gallon bucket of HOT SOAPY WATER "ouch" & give them a good scrubbing & then a hot rinse & lube it with Ballistol.

Now if you have never taken your revolver appart then this first time is the time to do it, this way each part is cleaned & lubed properly to where you can skip a few times on striping & you will also get familiar with the internals of your firearm.

[poordevil]

Well I didn't strip the frame, but I didn't soak it in hot water either. I did what I have always done, just got cleaner down in the works, cocked it a few times then flush it out with oil from an aerosol can. That way at least there is no water involved in the process that can rust anything.

[BHP FAN]

well, yeah ,that'll work,too.I take mine down completely,each time,so I can see any potential problems.My brother uses your method,takeing them to me only when they break,for the complete break down,and maintenance.I can't honestly tell you my way's any better. It's just...my way.

[Ratdog68]

as a side note... I'm stealing your "signature" (to your posts) for my email. I likes it ! "Make yourselves sheep..." :neener:

[Elbert P . Suggins]

I like the Remington design better for ease of cleaning. Remove the cylinder, trigger plate, and grips which totals up to two screws instead of a handful like with the Colt. Throw into a basin of hot soapy water, run your rod and rag thru the barrel and cylinder holes. Rinse with lots of hot water a piece at a time and dry off with a hair dryer forcing hot air thru the open trigger opening, the cocked hammer opening and down the barrel. Dry until it is too hot to touch, spray WD in the frame and swab the barrel and cylinder holes with Remmy oil or Bore Butter. Firing a cap will get the cylinder ready when you are going to use it next time. I take them apart totally once a year and have no corrosion problems.

[Smokin_Gun]

Poordevil...just a footnote, loosen the bottom grip screw first relieves the top two screws some...it is usually the last one tightened so as you don't need nor should have to gorilla tighten screw...unless from the factory or a pevious owner. Jus' lube the threads and snug um up ...

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Go to WalMart's and buy a couple of cans of 'Powder Blast' from the sporting goods section with all the gun stuff.When you don't feel like detail stripping just shoot a couple of blasts of that stuff into the internals. It works....Great White Hunter....

[sltm1]

I don't break mine down everytime I shoot, once after about every 3 shoot's works fine. Normally I take the bbl, loading lever, cylinder & nipples out. Everything gets cleaned with Windex using pipe cleaners, bore brish and a toothbrush, including the frame. Then I rinse in cold water, (no hot in the shop), and blow everything dry, including the internals w/ a compressor, fitted with a moisture removing filter. Been doin' this for 15+ years and have never had a rust, screw or fouling problem. The other thing I do "wrong" is lightly oil w/ Hoppes gun oil. I can take a pic of the compressor filter and post it if anyone's interested.

[poordevil]

By not taking the frame apart, you are running the risk of the screws rusting in place. Some day it will be necessary to break it down and when that day comes it will be pretty nice if the screws come out.

Naw the screws are not rusting in place, in fact they tend to shoot loose and need to be tightened down now and then.

[Snaggletooth]

Poordevil, take out the butt screw and the two grip screws, set them aside, pull the grip back and down, clean inside. Put it back together a couple of times. after you are comfortable with this, while the grip is off, take out the three screws holding the triggerguard. Just take it by steps until you have confidence in your ability to put it back together. I take mine apart everytime I shoot.