Pistol suppressors, take apart to clean or not?

[wally]

My first two centerfire pistol cans (Osprey and GemTech Multimount) did not come apart for cleaning.

My Multimount got replaced under warranty (tube failure, GemTech honored their plain language warranty without hassle and ate the tax on the replacement). The new replacement comes apart for cleaning.
Pretty cool to get a suppressor delivered with just a signature from the UPS guy
But didn't help with the wait

When I asked GemTech tech support about the difference, they said I should expect about 100,000 rounds if I don't ever take it apart and shoot only jacketed or plated bullets. But If I do take it apart, I need to do so at intervals not to exceed 250 rounds to prevent carbon buildup from causing disassembly issues that could potentially cause damage not covered by warranty.

I also have a pair of take-apart cans, ISIS-2 and Octane 45HD, but after trying a some lead bullets in them they are much worse to clean and would require such shorter round counts before doing so than my .22lr Sparrow, that I immediately gave up on the 9mm/.45 suppressed cast bullet idea.

I'm leaning towards the never again taking apart the take-apart cans.

The Multimount and Octane 45 are essentially the same design internally with differences mostly in the end cap designs. The ISIS-2 is like the Sparrow internally but lacking the half-tubes within a tube design of the Sparrow it fouls and becomes hard to take apart after 300-400 jacked rounds (they don't specify a specific round count but say clean it after every use, I did 100, 200, 300, 400 outing sequences and I'll never let it go above 400 unless I decide to stop taking it apart.


So pretend the take-apart cans don't come apart. Good or bad idea? What say ye?

None of this will affect the real need to clean the recoil boosters after every outing.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Have not heard of dissembly damage but you should only take it apart for a serious cleaning because trying to reassemble dirty can be a problem.

I would just ask each manufacturer what their recommended cleaning interval is.

Mike

 

[wally]

The Octane manual specifies a 500 round cleaning interval, the others I mentioned in the OP, forget to put in the Octane number.

My main issue is 500 round outings are not all that uncommon, and a 250 round limit would shorten many sessions. I really don't see myself taking apart the Multimount again as it really seems a lot of trouble for nothing, and am leaning toward doing the same with the others.

I've got a good system for the Sparrow about every 1000 rounds.

 

[boricua9mm]

I was an early adopter of the Octane 9; the 45 wasn't out yet. I later had it upgraded to the HD2 specs. The first design would deposit enough carbon on the suppressor walls that after 500 rounds that you'd have to bang out the baffles with a dowel. The CTA design baffles keep the carbon off the walls and instead, is completely contained inside the baffles. As a result, I am sure that the suppressor can go for more than 500 rounds without breaking it down for cleaning, but I would not go past 1,000 because then cleaning the thicker carbon buildup will REALLY be a chore.

I bought the Octane 9HD b/c I wanted the best possible, most versatile can for my money, and one that I could maintain over time in order to to get the longest possible service life.

A Hornady Ultrasonic an ZEP Purple degreaser makes it all much, much easier. It still takes a good amount of time when the carbon deposits are thick. Overall, I'd recommend maintaining it. If not at 500 rounds, then at 1,000.

 

[UhKlem]

Take down cans with shrouded or nested baffles that prevent or reduce fouling bonding the baffles to the tube shouldn't be too bad to take apart after a range session. The Multimount may have conventional K baffles (more volume left in tube for suppression) and require lower round counts between cleanings as the fouling get right to there tube. So either take apart at the range while still warm (bring oven mitt), or soak in penetrant right away for next day tear down and clean up. I've heard bore butter works to make clean up easier. I was using teflon mold release in a 22 can, but it doesn't last long enough to make it worth it. Haven't tried the bore butter yet.

I have been sticking with plated bullets in 9mm but have heard another alternative is coated cast bullets. People claim they don't lead up and are as good as jacketed bullets. Either DIY or something like http://www.blackandbluebullets.com.

I like a take down can for high volume range toys. It makes inspecting for baffle strikes easier (high volume sessions sometimes the can unthreads a little before getting noticed) and touching up minor baffle dings with a round file easy. On a low volume high pressure precision centerfire can a sealed welded can is probably best for long life and durability.