Removing melted plastic from gun barrels

[jagdpanzer347]

Greetings all. I just picked up a WASR10 for the low price of 225.00. It's typical for the breed with 160 rounds through it. Unfortunately, the former owner put it in a case while it was still hot. So, one side of the barrel has some melted plastic on it from the incident. Is there any way to easily remove this without damaging the rifles thin finish? Or should I just wait until the next time I go to the range and heat it up and try to peel the plastic off with a piece of wood? Any help would be appreciated.

-jagd

 

[boredelmo]

I'm pretty sure a lighter wouldnt harm the barrel.

 

[mustang_gt_350]

agree, If the gun was hot enough to melt the plastic when it was put away, then the lighter shouldn't do anything to it.

 

[mrmeval]

If soldering sights and stuff on them won't hurt a lighter is not going to.

 

[jklinstein]

heat gun should work.

 

[lathedog]

I can think of a few nasty chemicals that no one should have around the house....

How about peeling it off? Maybe after a dose of some penetrating oil to get between the plastic and the metal? Wait a few hours and use a plastic scraper?

I keep thinking how hard it is to get plastic to stick to metal. Of course when you don't want it to stick.....

 

[GreenFurniture]

Scotch Brite pad and some elbow grease.

Or a penny.

Both work.

Also shoot enough magazines to get the barrel warm and then hit it with some abrasive.

 

[Walkalong]

one side of the barrel has some melted plastic on it from the incident.

I did that to a Mini-14 years ago. I have been trying to shoot it off for years. Almost there.