Revolver vs semi-auto cleaning

Revolvers vs Semi-auto cleaning

  • Revolvers are easier to clean

    Votes: 14 11.7%
  • Semi-autos are easier to clean

    Votes: 72 60.0%
  • About the same

    Votes: 31 25.8%
  • Clean guns? I like em dirty!

    Votes: 3 2.5%

  • Total voters
    120
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dodo bird

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What is more annoying, hassle, etc... Revolvers or autos? I always enjoyed cleaning autos more. Yes I understand there are exceptions like black powder revolvers or ruger 22 pistols...
 
I don't really know about easier, but semiautos seem to clean up faster.
 
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It really depends how far you must tear it down to get at all of the gunk. Say, a Ruger MK ll that is really filthy takes a little more work than most revolvers. Also, with revolvers most of the gunk cannot get inside the action. But as Gunny said - there are multiple chambers.
 
Each style has their easy parts to clean and each have their difficulties.

Revolvers have the multiple chambers to clean, semi-autos can be a pain to take down and re-assemble for cleaning.
 
It depends on how in depth you want to go.
An auto needs disassembly, which makes access easier, but I usually don’t take the sideplate off the wheelguns.

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I generally have some combination semi/revolver to clean. Though semi's are easier, I don't find either a chore. I enjoy it.
 
Really depends on the specific gun even more than the type or model. I had some 1911s that were easy to strip and clean but others are a real pain. Same processes and steps with each just a difference in the ease of access between samples.
 
Back when I used to compete in IPSC I'd take my 1911's to work and tear them down and run them through the parts washer. Wish I still had that option. Sure was easy.
 
A Glock is easier than a revolver.

Revolver is easier than a 1911.

At least in my experience.
 
"but I usually don't take the sideplate off the wheelguns" You're doing it right - there is almost no way anything can get inside the frame of a revolver unless you drop it in a creek. The openings are filled with parts. I have torn down revolvers that I cleaned and oiled several years ago and when I open them up they look just like they did when I assembled them years ago. Clean and oiled. The only reason to pull a sideplate is if there is a mechanical problem or you just want to change springs.
 
Unless leading is involved, I find revolvers easier to clean.

That's mostly because I try to clean all the burned powder in an auto that goes down in the grip, the mechanicals in that grip, trigger bar, hammer, sear, magazine, grooves in the slide, grooves in the frame, locking lugs, interior of slide, extractor, slide lock, recoil spring, etc. etc.

With a revolver, I'm really just cleaning the cylinder assembly, frame around the cylinder, and barrel. The quantity and size of chambers in the cylinder can make it easier or harder for me. 5 versus 9 chambers, for instance.
 
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I find only slight differences in difficulty between all three basic types I lump handguns into for this thread. If I had to say so, I'd say that the easiest are blowback-operated pistols (especially the "tip-ups" like the Taurus and Beretta pocket guns.)

After those come the revolvers, both SA/DA and SA models. The recoil-operated autoloaders come in third, though still within a very close margin to first.
 
A Glock is easier than a revolver.

Revolver is easier than a 1911.

At least in my experience.

Interesting. I find Glocks a pain to disassemble with having to pull those two slides on side of the frame. I just cannot get to both release at the same time.

But, I can field strip a 1911 in a skinny minute.
 
I spent years cleaning service revolvers for my father before I was ever allowed to shoot one. I guess for that strange reason alone, or maybe due to practice, I prefer cleaning (DA) revolvers over auto feeders. I really don’t break down the 1911s like I used to now that they’ve been customized as I try to minimize wear on the barrel bushings.
 
Extended slide locks are also available. They stick out just a little bit further on each side, making it easier to get a purchase on it for disassembly.
 
Like others have said, depends on the gun.

For whatever reason, I find revolvers more relaxing. It may be due to the fact that they feel more like a wipe down than a break down. It may be due to the fact that I don't have to have a handful of parts to keep track of. I will say that cleaning a revolver feels more like waxing my car. Cleaning a polymer pistol feels more like vacuuming old French fries out of the back seat. One takes longer but is more enjoyable.
 
Like others have said, depends on the gun.

For whatever reason, I find revolvers more relaxing. It may be due to the fact that they feel more like a wipe down than a break down. It may be due to the fact that I don't have to have a handful of parts to keep track of. I will say that cleaning a revolver feels more like waxing my car. Cleaning a polymer pistol feels more like vacuuming old French fries out of the back seat. One takes longer but is more enjoyable.

Lol. :D
 
"cleaning a polymer pistol feels more like vacuuming old French fries out of the back seat" Eggzactly right. That's the most outstanding analogy I've heard in quite a while. Keep up the good work man.
 
Have to say a Semi is easier.
Tear down, soak parts, scrub as needed, wipe down and lubricate and reassemble.
With a revolver you need to scrub down the bore, each cylinder hole clean everything thing else on it, wipe down and lubricate....
 
They both spend the same amount of time in the ultrasonic cleaner.
 
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