Dental pic for cleaning?

[Shrinkmd]

Anyone else get lead buildup around the forcing cone on a .22 revolver? I am about to order some other stuff from Brownells and saw their dental pic/scalers for sale. Any thoughts on which one would be best for clearing out this lead buildup? The thin dental pics vs the scalers? It is pretty much the only place I really have trouble cleaning...

Thanks

 

[dfariswheel]

The dental picks are hard steel and will scratch the metal.
The scratches will cause fouling to stick even worse.

My favorite cleaner tools are a home made brass scraper. I made this from a short section of brass rod, which I filed into a chisel-like end.

You can also make a good scraper from a brass rifle case by squashing the mouth shut and filing to a chisel edge.

I also use a brass "toothbrush" and I cut small patches from a Lead-Away cloth and use these to remove the fouling the scraper can't get to.

 

[JohnBT]

I got 6 picks from my dentist for free. They're too worn for him, but good for snagging springs and pushing around small parts. I don't use them for cleaning guns - much. It depends on the gun.

Tipton (IIRC) makes a set of plastic picks that works pretty well. If you don't lean on them too hard - SNAP.

John

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Yup, the plastic pics are available from www.midwayusa.com

 

[SigfanUSAF]

I must say, we use dental picks frequently in our shop. I assure you, there's not a better tool to scrape 120 years of grease, grit, and ?????? out of the inner workings of a New Model #3. I would be very careful around any finished surface, as stated above. When its time for me to break out the picks, though, I'm also gonna be firing up the blueing tanks!!!

 

[Confederate]

With a dental pic you can use other parts other than the point, which will scratch. I've found brass brushes to be useful. I've also found that lubricating the area with BreakFree beforehand also helps a great deal.

 

[tipoc]

After you've removed the lead with a brass brush and your favorite lead removing cleaning product (make sure it's one that will not harm the blueing, Hoppe's makes some useful stuff, as does Shooter's Choice) you may want to think about the ammo you're useing.

If you are shooting a hi-velocity round try a jacketed round that will not lead. Standard velocity lead rounds tend not to lead at least not enough to worry about. But if the build up is severe it usually calls for a different ammo in your piece. Just my experience, which may be helpful.

tipoc

 

[sfhogman]

I use flattened .22 mag cases. Works like a charm above the barrel stub on my Single Six.

Jeff