Marks on outside of cylinder?

[JFrameTwitch]

I shot about 150 rounds of .38 spl through my 620. Afterwards I went to clean it and noticed marks on the front outside of the cylinder. On the outside of each chamber. These do not come off with solvent and a toothbrush. The barrel also appears to have some leading. Is it possible that these markes are lead? I shoot the same rounds out of GP100 with no issues at all. Could this indicate a problem?

 

[Jim Watson]

Very likely lead or blasted on powder fouling.
My S&W's get those, my Colts crud up in the flutes.
Must be different cylinder face - barrel breech shapes blowing the stuff back in a particular direction.

 

[rcmodel]

No.
It is simply vaporized leading bouncing off the top strap and being deposited on the cylinder.

Keep rubbing with a patch & solvent and it will come off.

rc

 

[RON in PA]

It's normal, happens with all my Smiths when I shoot lead bullets.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I noticed some of the very same thing on my Peacemaker. Took quite a bit of elbow work with solvent and a cloth. I had some decent luck on the outer edges of the cylinder (not inside the flutes) by laying my cloth on cardboard backing, dousing it with solvent, and rubbing the cylinder on the cloth.

The flutes requires a bit more work with fingers instead of the cardboard backing.

Good to know what this is, rc. Thanks!

 

[ku4hx]

The marks are an indication the gun has been baptized by firing. I clean them off with a soft stainless steel "toothbrush" designed for guns. Liker the Bob-Ami motto says, "Hasn't scratched yet".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A Lead-Away Cloth will make quick work of that slight problem but only use it on Stainless revolver, not Blue revolvers.
http://www.amazon.com/Kleenbore-Gun-Care-Lead-Cloth/dp/B002IEIDG4

 

[HexHead]

I use Blue Wonder gun cleaner and 0000 steel wool. Quick, easy and doesn't damage the bluing at all.

 

[CajunBass]

I just use a little Flitz and a soft cloth. Rub gently.

That's if I worry about it at all.

 

[JFrameTwitch]

Thanks everyone, glad to hear this does not indicate a problem. It took me by surprise because it has not happened with any of my others. I shoot a couple times a week so I suppose I won't worry about it too much if it doesn't effect functionality. Any problem with leaving it one there and only cleaning it off every few sessions? I want to keep the gun nice but it will also be shot a ton and I don't want to waste time with over cleaning. Thanks.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I've stopped trying to clean it off a few decades ago and it's never caused a problem. The deposits seem to be self-limiting and don't grow past a certain size.