How often do you use copper solvent?

[Moparmike]

I was reading geekwitha45's post about his barrel malady, and felt the need to look at mine. I looked at it, and in the grooves is what looks like rust! But, every time I hold it up to the light, its clean as whistle, and shiny. I have only shot about 150 rounds through it, and cleaned it after every shoot. The bullets I have used were PMC HP, and the previous owner said that he had only shot about 200-300rds through it.

I am going to assume its copper fouling, or my eyes.

PS: Its a Witness 10mm.

 

[sm]

http://www.schuemann.com/

My Personal Practice has become to never clean the bore of my barrels. I do use a brass rod

to scrape the deposits out of the chamber. But, I've learned to leave the bore alone and it

very slowly becomes shinier and cleaner all by itself. Years ago I occasionally scrubbed the

bore with a brass bore brush. But, doing so always seemed to cause the bore to revert to a

dirtier look with more shooting, so I eventually stopped ever putting anything down the bore

except bullets...

Good luck,


Wil

Personally I subscribe to the above by Mr. Schuemann and the advise of Gabe McMillian.

Meaning, I haven't used a copper solvent in a l-o-n-g time. I haven't cleaned my CCW bores since sometime in 2003...I did it then because I fell into and shot them in the mud. Shook them out in a pail of water and kept shooting.

I clean chambers, extractors. I keep the mags clean and dry and under the star clean and dry on a revolver.

Basically - I don't worry about it.

Since I was wee brat I always treated my bores with RIG after a cleaning. I use RIG for the exterior...and some internals. I use a quality gun oil.

I just inspect and maintain , replace springs and such as need. Dave Mc added somthing else to the wise folks above. " Folks clean barrels when they need to be checking and cleaning actions" Something like that.

If ( and it is rare) I shoot lead...I pull wisps of Chore Boy through the bbl .

JHP ( copper) I dunno one CCW has I guess 1500 rds since I last cleaned the bore ( 2003 mud -fest) lands and grooves are sharp and crisp. One old 1911 range gun we haven't cleaned in years...still shoots more accurate than I can. We guess this bbl has 40k rds through it. Another 9mm CCW...you got me coach...I recall treating with RIG...cleaned it off as well in a pail of water, during my "mud-fest". Seems to me I cleaned it with mineral spirits, ran RIG through the bore, dry patched it, RIG on the externals...gun oil where need...3k-4K rds ago??? Well I did "clean" the powered do-nuts off the grips - that count? It is a poly gun, my first and last...just a tool. Still puts all 11 rds in a playing card at 10 yds...close enough for gov't work. It's a Keltec P-11 for chrissakes...Barrrel is better now than when new...doesn't have the appearance of being cut by a 3 mil bastard file.

I'd rather shoot than clean. Well , I will pipe clean the extractor and chamber...

 

[Devonai]

Try using copper solvent on your firearm after a lengthy range session. If the patches don't come out greenish-blue, you don't need it. Use WD-40 or a non-ammonia based solvent.

I respectfully disagree with sm and I would recommend using at least a nylon brush and a couple of patches through the barrel after every trip to the range.

 

[cratz2]

On all rimfire firearms and all handguns, the only thing I've used in about 5 years has been FP10 and CLP. Usually a couple passes with a bore snake and every once in a while, an actual rod and brass brush.

 

[Bainx]

Being a constant user of "Ed's Red", I use a copper solvent every, say, third or fourth range session with a particular firearm.