Cap and Ball Revolver cleaning

[Proud Boer]

The Black Powder bug has really bitten me bad! I have been shooting my 20 gauge Pedersoli Howdah Hunter,my Lyman Trade Rifle in 50 calibre and my Pedersoli Kodiak Express ''Safari'' in .72 all regularly.I have started enjoying cleaning them too.I use a combination of Hornady ''One Shot'',dishwashing liquid and Wurth Multi Purpose De-greaser.Afterwards I lightly oil the rifle and rub some lanolin based solution on the butt and stock.

I have a pair of Pietta 1858 Remmingtons in 44,a pair of Pietta 1851 Colts in 44 and my favourite revolver bar none,a stainless Ruger Old Army.

I want to use them in SASS and would like advice on cleaning the properly after shooting.

Here is my SASS affiliated club in Cape Town:

http://www.westernshooters.co.za/pages/local.html

Kind Regards!

 

[arcticap]

It seems like you've got it all down pretty well.
A lot of folks here like to use Ballistol as a cleaner and lubricant:

Ballistol

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=596552&highlight=ballistol

And don't forget about the nipple threads:

How often should nipples be removed for cleaning?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=576729&highlight=ballistol

What do most of your shooting mates like to use?

 

[arcticap]

There's lots of different methods and products. From windshield washer fluid to soap and water, and there's plenty more.

Flush It!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564185&highlight=windshield

Results of Windshield Washer Cleaning

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=560421&highlight=windshield

Faster cleaning methods

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564940&highlight=windshield

 

[Fingers McGee]

There are about as many cleaning methods and solutions as there are darksiders. Check on the threads listed under the Blackpowder Essentials stickey as well as the ones Arcticap listed, you're bound to find a method that works for you.

I use Balistol, water, and Birchwood Casey BP solvent on all my BP firearms.

 

[Proud Boer]

Thank you Gentlemen! The Ballistol really works well!

 

[Pyro]

My method:
-At the range I spray it down with Windex for a start.
-When I get home, break down gun completely (the mechanical parts can stay put but the nipples get a cleaning after every range trip).
-Toss everything except the wooden grips into a bucket of hot water and soap.
-Sit 1 hour-ish or whenever I get to it.
-Scrub everything down with brush (including bore) and place on old baking sheet.
-Preheat oven to 180.
-Place gun in oven for 20 minutes (leaving the oven door slightly open to allow the evaporated water to escape.
-Let cool down, you'll know it's cool enough when you touch it.
-At this point any left over dirt/powder you missed should show. I just wipe those spots down with a wet cloth, the metal should still be warm enough to dry itself.
-Spray everything down with Ballistol, lube the cylinder post and reassemble.

I keep my black powder revolver loaded since I don't like putting any rust preventative oil inside the cylinder.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm quite fond of Windex Multi Surface (with vinegar). It works very well and very quickly.
Plus, its handy.

 

[Busyhands94]

for my flintlock rifle, i remove everything but the butt plate, trigger guard, trigger assembly, and that sort of thing. i use some Birchwood Casey cleaner/degreaser on the lock and it's inner workings, clean off the flint and leather, then i move to the barrel. i remove the hawk feather on the leather thong i have tied a few inches from the muzzle, and i remove the vent. i put the vent into a shot glass of Windex. then i squirt some Windex down the barrel. then i use a patch to help remove any more of the powder residue. then i pour some alcohol down the barrel, plug the holes in it, shake, and then i pour it out. i let that dry out for a few minutes while i clean the other furnishings and mechanisms and polish all the brass, then i run a lightly oiled patch down the barrel to prevent rust. then i re-assemble my rifle, tie the leather thong with the feather back on the barrel, and then i put my smokepole back on the gun rack to be admired and occasional fondled until the next time i go shooting.