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Copper Fouling?

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Ehtereon11B

internet infantryman
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I have never had to deal with bad cases of copper fouling so I don't really know what it looks like. I pulled apart my XD .45 to find this down the barrel. Is this copper build up? And how do I get rid of it? This was the best picture I could get to come out although it doesn't show the "rust" color of the residue.

P3100004_zpsccb8c7ef.gif
 
Make sure you don't leave the copper cleaner in the bore any longer than the direction specify.
 
Sweet's 7.62 solvent. As stated don't leave any in the bore for very long and make sure you get it all out.
 
That is what I was afraid of. I remembered from organic chem that ammonia breaks down copper. So I put a small dab of ammonia solution in the barrel, when it didn't turn blue figured I would ask here. I wiped it out thoroughly with Breakfree. Wal-Mart didn't have any copper solvents so I ordered some Sweet's Hopefully that will take care of it.
 
In the 40 some years I've been shooting, I do not recall every having copper fouling in a handgun. I've had it in a few rifles, some more than others. Of course, when I use to shoot lead bullets, I'd get a little lead fouling in the barrel of the handgun.
 
If all else fails, Sweets 7.62 will get rid of copper fouling. Just be aware it's a strong ammonia solution and lots of fresh air is advised when using it.
 
JTQ said:
You may find this barrel cleaning information from Schuemann Barrels interesting.

http://www.schuemann.com/Portals/0/Documentation/Webfile_Barrel_Cleaning.pdf
Click to expand...

That is very interesting. Probably not as applicable to the tenifered bores like those found in Glocks and XDs (I am sure I missed other examples) since it is considerably harder than 416 stainless, but good info! Thanks JTQ.

Now I don't feel so bad about being lazy and cleaning my guns only twice a year. :p I may have even been overdoing it!
 
Do you shoot alot of copper plated bullets? Just trying to get an idea of what cause the problem in the first place..
 
cowtownup said:
Do you shoot alot of copper plated bullets? Just trying to get an idea of what cause the problem in the first place..
Click to expand...

So far just target ammo has gone through the XD. This is a relatively new pistol to me even though I "bought" it 3 years ago. Remington UMC 230gr RN
 
Well it isn't copper. Got my bottle of Sweet's today and ran a patch through it. No blue. Watched a few videos to make sure I was using enough. Barrel is pretty clean but still has the same marks. My next guess is could it be barrel imperfections or wear in the coating of the barrel?
 
It's copper, I know that look well from a couple of rifles that I have. Don't expect your patch to come out blue, it usually is greenish. Some barrels just foul more. I wouldn't worry about it too much in a pistol. More guns are worn out by over cleaning than by shooting.
 
Fremmer said:
Did you slather it in the bore and let it sit?
Click to expand...

Did it twice. Waited 5 minutes on the first and about 10 minutes on the second.

Got_Lead? said:
Don't expect your patch to come out blue, it usually is greenish
Click to expand...

I was expecting it to change any color on that end of the spectrum. But that is where I am drawing a blank, the patch came out the same shade of white it went in. With the little bit of foaming action on the patch.
 
I have the same streaks in my colt stainless barrel. I also tried sweets with no blue and no change.

It has to be copper, but it is a mystery to me why it won't come out with sweets when my rifle bores turn the patches bright blue.

Maybe there's something different between the low velocity skid marks in pistol barrels and the high velocity/pressure/heat of a rifle.

I stopped caring about it though.

J.
 
I had copper fouling in my FNP barrel....tried Hopes Bench Rest...that made the copper nice and shiny...Wipe Out took it out completely.
 
Got_Lead? said:
It's copper, I know that look well from a couple of rifles that I have. Don't expect your patch to come out blue, it usually is greenish. Some barrels just foul more. I wouldn't worry about it too much in a pistol. More guns are worn out by over cleaning than by shooting.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I use sweets all the time and it has always come out blue.
If there's copper fouling that is.
 
If its copper and you used sweets it would come out blue. If you use sweets you need to follow up with gun oil to neutralize it.
Copper fouling happens primarily when you start pushing your copper jacketed bullets around and above 3000 FPS. I don"t think you reach that speed with a pistol.

I would suggest you use a jag and a tight patch and apply some J B Borepaste. Use it sparingly. J B bore paste is a very light abrasive that is used to polish bore and remove fouling that the solvents don't.
 
Handguns do not have enough velocity to deposit copper fouling, unless

one of the very high speed calibers. Rifles do.
 
I would suggest you use a jag and a tight patch and apply some J B Borepaste. Use it sparingly. J B bore paste is a very light abrasive that is used to polish bore and remove fouling that the solvents don't.
Click to expand...

What I do is put the barrel in a vise, clean normally with solvent. Then, 25 strokes with JB and Kroil, re-apply, 25 strokes, 25 strokes with an oiled patch. Clean with solvent and run dry patches until clean.

I do this with every new or new to me gun I buy. It can make a profound difference some barrels, others, not so much.

YMMV
 
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