Bronze Brush, aluminum cylinder S&W 317

[stubbicatt]

Guys. Anybody know for sure if there are any special techniques to cleaning the chambers on a Smith and Wesson 317? Can a bronze brush be employed or will it abrade the chambers?

Thanks,
Regards,
Stubb

 

[Old Fuff]

If you go to: www.smith-wesson.com you can download a copy of the owner's manual, and if something special is required it will tell you.

Off the top of my head, with no quick way to check it right now, I believe the chambers are steel lined, and if so special precausions wouldn't be necessary.

 

[stubbicatt]

Thanks Old Fuff. I can see the steel liner in the barrel, but I do not see any tell tale transition lines in the cylinder.

I called S&W they said bronze brushes are ok, not to use stainless steel.

Even so, I cannot get that firing ring of carbon and crud out of the chambers which corresponds with the case mouths. I used a bronze brush and could not get it to budge. I wonder if there is a better way to get that out of there. Same for the flash on the front of the cylinder, I got a lot of it off, but much remains.

Suggestions?

 

[CPO15]

Lead removing cloths, cut into a patch size and, while on the cleaning rod, scrub the chambers. Don't just pass the patch through, apply some pressure laterally to the chamber sides.

 

[weblance]

I wondered the same when I got my 317, I asked the forums and the gun shops. Everyone said to clean the cylinder as you would a steel cylinder. But dont use a stainless brush. I have used a bronze brush on mine and see no ill effects. There are no steel liners in the cylinders, its all Aluminum. Remarkable little revolver... mine is the 3"

 

[ClemY]

I use an electric drill to spin a brush to clean the chambers of my revos, including my 317.

 

[stubbicatt]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll continue my "slap dash" cleaning methods and do my best to keep the chambers *mostly* clean with the bronze brush and Hoppes.

Sure is a fine revolver. I bought it used, and I'm pretty sure someone did an action job on it. Super single action trigger, double stacks a little, but not terribly so. Hammer does not fall off the sear when I push on it.

Neat little revolver.

 

[Drail]

Try some Breakfree Bore Cleaner (not CLP). It has a really good carbon cutter in it. If you can't find that go to an auto parts store and buy a quart of Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid. Dexron also cut carbon very well but you'll need to let it soak in overnight. Or do a search for "Ed's Red" and make your own. Attempting to remove carbon by mechanical means (like a drill) will almost certainly remove some metal as well. The proper solvent will break it down without harming the metal.

 

[dfariswheel]

The best-easiest way to clean chambers is to buy a couple of bronze chamber brushes from Brownell's.

These are not only over-sized to fit the chamber, they're also made with extra-stiff bristles.
Usually, one pass will clean even the dirtiest chamber.

 

[rcmodel]

Are you sure you are not just seeing the normal small steps in the chambers where they decrease in size from case diameter to bullet diameter??? (chamber throats)

No amount of scrubbing is going to get those out!

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson's .22 RF chambers are bored straight through because the cartridges are loaded with heeled bullets. Ruger and Colt chambers are the same.