Anyone know a degreaser/solvent...

Simple Green and a bucket of water?

I do that with Mosin parts, and whenever I shoot corrosive ammo through the AK. Or just hose it down, maybe.

What kind of grime, in particular?

Diesel oil works ok and isn't that flammable.

I'd be adverse to soaking a AK in anything water based as there are lots of dead spaces you won't be getting the water back out of.

BSW

Mineral spirits. Fairly cheap and can be had at any hardware store. Use a parts cleaning brush that you get at an auto parts store. chris3

spray can of brake cleaner is $3, it is denatured alcohol and evaporates completely. I am afraid to put water based solvents or water in or near my guns, from my experience you are better off with a dirty neglected gun that a rusty "clean" gun

+1 on the brake cleaner. I keep a few cans on hand and use it on all my guns; especially semi-autos. A few blasts with the alcohol based cleaner (nice because it is under pressure and drys immediately) and a spray of WD-40 to take off any residue. Then lubricate normally; I use Remoil.

Doesn't hurt wood either.

Are you talking about carbon fouling? or is the rifle just dirty? Automotive "Carb" cleaners are great at busting up carbon.

If you use brake parts cleaner be sure it's "NON CLORINATED".

I would use brake cleaner on guns like Nagants, AKs, and SKSs, but not ALL guns. And I never use WD-40. Although those tough Russian guns would probably eat it up better than most other guns.

I don't have a problem with soap and water. I use it hot, rinse it hot, and dry it immediately, with a blow dryer if necessary. I have done it on an SKS, but not an AK. Soap, water, toothbrush. Rinse.

Kerosene, available for about $8 per gallon. Cleans, degreases and prevents rust. Epic.

Gunzilla!
http://www.topduckproducts.com/

I've been using it (along with a copper solvent) since 2007 and have been very happy with it overall.
Review (link to another site)

Ed's Red

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=9

I've used gasoline as a solvent all my life. Washed parts in mechanic shops forever with gasoline or sometimes diesel. Po folks got po ways.
Just stay away from any ignition sources and use proper safety practices. It'll cut cosmoline and any oil-based gunk quickly, and dries pretty quick. Then oil it up and shoot.
I'm sure I'll get "flamed" for this post......

....use proper safety practices.

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Using gasoline as a cleaning fluid is exactly the opposite of "proper." Really. Static is an ignition source as are ordinary light switches on a lamp or in the wall.

Around here, kerosene costs maybe 50 cents more than gas per gallon, max, at a bunch of gas stations. Even on the hottest of days, kero with some added oil won't do the big vapor flame-ball "poof." I know someone who turned on a drop light while using gas to clean stuff; he had no eyebrows for a while. If you must use gas, at least mix it with some oil so it won't be so volatile.

Plain ol' diesel fuel or Ed's Red work pretty well.

NON-CHLORINATED brake cleaner. No, it's NOT just denatured alcohol.

http://www.msdsxchange.com/english/show_msds.cfm?paramid1=3201039

Chlorinated cleaners are coming off the market because the will melt plastics. Read the labels and use sparingly.

If you go to the effort of a dip tank with gallons and gallons of solvent, make sure it's really low flammability. Some use parts washing solvent, at a auto parts store its mineral spirits and $50 a five gallon can. Stoddard Solvent was the machine shop standard in the day, but the single source contracts with Safety Kleen have pretty much killed sales.

I'll suggest anything labeled as a "fuel" under it's MSDS is going to create serious problems with your homeowners insurance and fire department when the smoke clears. Don't be that guy. Power washing the deck just before the party didn't work so well either.

Diesel fuel.........it's a great solvent/cleaner and a very light weight oil and cheap in comparison........what more do you want?

I was kinda waiting for someone to suggest gasoline.

I knew a guy that liked to clean parts with gas, claimed it was perfectly safe and a great solvent.

He was cleaning a transmission, I think, using brushes, and some of the gas had soaked into his shirt and pants.

The ignition source wasn't identified that I ever heard. He died after about two weeks in the ICU.

BSW

I have used a number of things including WD-40 which works very well to remove cosmoline and grease. I have heard many people say not to use it but have not ever heard an explaination of WHY you shouldn't. WD-40 is not a lubricant but a penetrating and water dispersant solution so I am unsure as to why it shouldn't be used as a solvent.

Soak it in very hot water and Dawn Dishwashing liquid. DO NOT worry about the water rusting your gun,it WONT happen. Let soak until the water starts cooling then scrub with a soft bristle brush. Rinse with HOT clear water and dry with compressed air. Almost all water will be removed but use WD-40 LIBERALLY to flush out the remainder then blow out the excess WD-40 with more compressed air. Apply the lubricant of choice. You can use many different cleaners and procedures but none are more effective than this at removing anything that finds it's way into your gun.

So I tried the hot water (as hot as my waterheater is set to) and dishwashing liquid.

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Not hot enough. Heat the water to about 200-210 degrees. Just short of boiling.

to get rid of some grime in the gas tube and carbon

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Hot water and Mr.Clean liquid cleaner is very good at removing carbon build-up. I've used this to remove carbon from diesel engine pistons for years.

I have used a number of things including WD-40 which works very well to remove cosmoline and grease. I have heard many people say not to use it but have not ever heard an explaination of WHY you shouldn't. WD-40 is not a lubricant but a penetrating and water dispersant solution so I am unsure as to why it shouldn't be used as a solvent.

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WD-40 is kerosense + naptha. The naptha can get gummy under certain circumstances (such as very hot water). Thus, kerosene alone is cheaper and can avoid the naptha caveat. That said, WD-40 is convenient and I've used it on guns for over 40years with good results.

+1 brake cleaner

Jackal said:

Kerosene, available for about $8 per gallon. Cleans, degreases and prevents rust. Epic.

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Wow i just filled up my 5 gallon blue K1 jug for $21 it was low $4.xx a gallon. Is that a on the shelf in a gallon can price? We have miniature gas pumps at most higher end regular gas stations here in Central Ohio.

And yes i agree Kerosene is epic-ly fantastic. Best and cheapest way to clean motorcycle chains, i use it out of solvent safe squirt bottle atomizers.

Ive used hot HOT water, with dawn or other dish liquid to do a first was on a number of guns. I normally finish with brake clean, and a final full break down and wipe with good oil.

Just remember that if your using gasoline or brake cleaner, rubber gloves aren't a bad idea. Continuous contact on the skin doesn't take long to start burning.

When my son was young he dipped his hands in house paint and his friend told him to use gas to get it off. Imagine my fear and confusion when he came running in the house with wierd colored hands and smelling like gas screaming IT BURNS IT BURNS! Soap and water takes the sting out.

I use brake cleaner for alot of things and it works well. I've been told for years that diesel is a good solvent, but I have no reason to keep it around.