Unorthodox Gun Cleaning Methods

MagnumDweeb · Feb 23, 2009

A guy I know is a big time Glock fan and we were chewing fat(talking aimlessly) and we got onto how often we clean our guns. I admitted I clean my guns after every trip to the range on my pool deck using gun scrubber aerosol and scrubbing out the innards and barrel with a brush that is caliber appropriate, then using a lube and preservative which gets applied to in the innards and barrel cleaner and preservative which gets applied to barrel.

He says, "With my Glocks I just keep a tub of Diesel, some dishwashing gloves, and dunk that sucker, work the slide and drop the mag and the gunk comes running out, then I just put it through the dishwasher with a dirty load of dishes" or to some such extent. I know Glocks are sturdy guns, but I'd be afraid of not properly cleaning out the gun and the deposits in the gun that may occur because of the dishwashing detergent.

I've also heard of folks using gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel, to clean out Cosmoline on surplus guns but to clean out regular guns, polymer guns no less(risk of dissolbing the polymer) for fouling and unburnt gun powder, is that right, wouldn't there be some long term worries about damage to the steel, finish, or blueing.

Does anyone have any experience with using Kerosene, Gasoline, or Diesel to clean guns on a regular basis, wouldn't this not be dangerous because of fumes exposure but also wouldn't it damage the guns. I'm not up to trying it, even the Ruger P90 I've had for three years that gets fifty rounds through it a month still looks like the day my Uncle gave it to me because of my anal retentive cleaning habits.

WardenWolf · Feb 23, 2009

Using anything caustic on a polymer gun is just a bad idea, particularly dunking the gun itself. It can get into areas that are hard or impossible to remove, and degrade the material over the course of months or years.

CWL · Feb 23, 2009

Diesel is commonly used to clean not just handguns, but also rifles, machinegun parts and even artillery parts. Diesel is not explosive, it has a very low flash point and does not burn very hot.

While people do put their Glocks in the dishwasher, I do not think it wise to deposit cleaning solvents, dissolved lead, etc. from the gun onto your dinnerware.

armslist · Feb 23, 2009

I'd do the diesel thing with gloves, but I certainly wouldn't put it in the dishwasher afterward, as mentioned above, diesel, lead, sulfur and carbon do not belong anywhere near my dishes.

If I wanted to get it as clean as possible without taking it apart, I'd do a diesel dunk, maybe even a soak, then spray it out with brake-cleaner or gunscrubber, then drench it in Hoppes...and dry off all the outside surfaces.

There's no shortcut for cleaning the barrel though.

chuwee81 · Feb 23, 2009

i saw a few years ago product called poly dunk at guns and ammo Tv (i think) from the outdoor chanel. They say you can chuck the glock or any polymer guns in there. I haven't heard about it since.

armslist · Feb 23, 2009

I also saw a device at a gun show that supposedly uses vibration and soundwaves by submerging it in some cleaning liquid in a stainless steel tub.

Sixtigers · Feb 23, 2009

Some of the guys on a forum I hang out at have been using homemade electrolytic gun cleaners, with pretty amazing results. With photos!

Lightninstrike · Feb 23, 2009

Ok, how about warm water and soap? (Confession time) I used it for my M16 when I was in the Corps and never had a problem. You have to rinse and dry thoroughly and oil. Anyone else ever tried this?

-v- · Feb 23, 2009

I keep one of those $50 ultrasonic jewelry scrubbers filled with CLP. I just drop my gun of choice in that, set it for an hour and come back. Works great. Barrel does still need to be manually brushed, but I am also a believer that certain level of fowling is good for accuracy.

The Lone Haranguer · Feb 23, 2009

I've used lens tissues as cleaning patches. Being an alcohol-soaked paper towelette, they worked quite well. They also work on optics lenses.

Karl Hungus · Feb 23, 2009

I just use a ShamWow on all my firearms.

workingstiff · Feb 23, 2009

Tupperware

Is diswasher safe, or so it is claimed.

Personally, I've had two lids melt in the DW. I forgot to set the cycle for Glock mode.:banghead:

dobrzemetal · Feb 23, 2009

This is the second time I've heard of a guy cleaning his gun in the dishwasher. I have to admit I cringe when I heard this, but when he told me he did it to his glock it made it a little bit better :X

KarenTOC · Feb 23, 2009

I hand my gun to my son and say "show me again how I'm supposed to clean this thing..."

I'm not sure how much longer this method will work.

CoRoMo · Feb 23, 2009

Set the washing machine on perm press.

bonza · Feb 23, 2009

Oh, those guys were talking about using a dishwasher! The clothes washer seems to do a pretty good job though, but the tumble dryer sure is noisy, especially if I'm doing two guns at a time!

Acera · Feb 23, 2009

Lightninstrike we did the same thing in the Army.

woad_yurt · Feb 23, 2009

No kerosene swirlers around?

Snagglepuss · Feb 23, 2009

I get some quiet satisfaction out of using my Otis set, a can of beer, and some nice music. Makes me feel like I am doing a great gob of cleaning.

jcwit · Feb 23, 2009

I've used kerosese in a Kitty Litter bucket with a parts cleaning brush for years. Then a quick sprsy with compressed air. Then relube and a wipe down with an oiley piece of Sham-Wow.

Kerosese and Diesel fuel are essentially the same as far as using them for cleaning.

Tyrannosaurus · Feb 23, 2009

My brother is an avid Gulf Coast fisherman, and he cooks his flounder in a dishwasher.

Flounder is by nature a thin fish, and it is apt to overcooking in the oven. Dishwasher cooking is the perfect solution.

Please do not put your Glock and your flounder in the same dishwasher. Thank you.

Weedy · Feb 23, 2009

"I just use a ShamWow on all my firearms. "

Nice! Then after your gun is clean you can bust a few caps at the ShamWow guy.

Geno · Feb 23, 2009

I raid my wife's cosmetic kit and grab those tiny pointed "Q-tip-like" doohickies to clean my handguns! Of course, when I use them all up, then I have to go buy new ones. The gal at the check-out counter just looks at me and smirks...

Doc2005

4thPointOfContact · Feb 23, 2009

Did the same hot water thing with my M16. The Army tends to have Industrial Strength hot water; much hotter than commonly found in homes.

The dishwasher also works nicely with salmon, I've had a few surprised dates when using that method. Nice ice breaker as well when they think you Must be pitiful if you use a dishwasher instead of knowing how to use an oven to cook.

benEzra · Feb 23, 2009

Ok, how about warm water and soap? (Confession time) I used it for my M16 when I was in the Corps and never had a problem. You have to rinse and dry thoroughly and oil. Anyone else ever tried this?

Soapy water doesn't dissolve carbon fouling all that well, unfortunately. It probably works well for getting rid of the salts from corrosive ammo, though.

For me, foaming bore cleaner, a bore snake, and a Q-tip with a little Hoppes #9/Rem Oil/CLP is a lot quicker and less messy than dunking it in something as smelly and messy as diesel fuel.

Unorthodox Gun Cleaning Methods

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