Mossberg 500 aluminum parts

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I just got an ultrasonic cleaner not too long ago, and before I try it on my various firearms, I want to make sure it's safe. What parts, if any of a Mossberg 500A shotgun are made of aluminum? I'm speaking specifically of the internals that come out when taken down, such as the bolt and elevator. Are all parts safe to use in an ultrasonic with soap and water? I've read that ultrasonics can destroy aluminum parts, so I want to be on the safe side. Is the destructive property of ultrasonics on aluminum only based on what cleaner you use (ex: simple green will destroy the AL parts, but dish soap and water won't) OR will an ultrasonic destroy all aluminum parts no matter what cleaner you use?

 

[Fleet]

Ultrasonics won't hurt aluminum at all...neither will simple green.

 

[Onmilo]

Bulk M-Pro 7 cleaner in an ultrasound will not harm aluminum.

 

[Miked7762]

Only the receiver is aluminum, and there's not really any need to ever put it in an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Is the destructive property of ultrasonics on aluminum only based on what cleaner you use (ex: simple green will destroy the AL parts, but dish soap and water won't)

I have been using ultrasonic cleaners for most of my life. It is not the ultrasonic that will do the damage, but the solution could. Soap and water should be fine. I think the idea of ultrasonics damaging aluminum comes from an old test of placing a piece of aluminum foil in the machine and seeing if holes appear in it. If the machine is working, there should be tiny holes. But this is a very thin aluminum sheet we are talking about here, not a firearm receiver.

 

[CoRoMo]

Ultrasonics won't hurt aluminum at all...neither will simple green.

But I read on the internet...

 

[essayons21]

I don't think ultrasonics would hurt the aluminum itself, but I have heard of ultrasonics damaging the finish on some aluminum parts. I had a aluminum framed 1911 which lost quite a bit of finish in an ultrasonic. However, the finish was in pretty rough shape to begin with so I'm not really convinced either way.

 

[Walking Dead]

I use an ultrasonic with IPA on aluminum every day and it will not harm aluminum at all.