Shortcut for cleaning cylinders?

[prestpat]

I find cleaning a revolver to be a massive PITA because I basically have to go through the barrel cleaning process seven times. Is there an effective way to get the cylinder clean other than solvent-brush-patch-repeat for every charge hole? I've thought about rigging a speed loader to hold brushes so that I could do all six at once, but other than that I have no ideas, and would appreciate any time-saving tips anyone can offer.

I know some of you will probably tell me that I don't need to clean the cylinder that thoroughly, and even though that's probably true the fact is I'm far too compulsive to take that advice. As it is, my need for spotlessness means that my revolvers mostly stay home because the chore of cleaning one outweighs the enjoyment I get from shooting it.

 

[hoghunting]

Something like this:

http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleani...ed-brushes/speed-brush-speed-mop-prod150.aspx

 

[W.E.G.]

the fact is I'm far too compulsive to take that advice

Simple answer:

Get both.

One for shooting and to let be dirty.

One to keep in the gun safe and keep spotless.

Don't work hard. Work smart.

 

[Hondo 60]

Something like this:

http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleanin...p-prod150.aspx

Oh my gosh - that I SOOOOO cool.
I'll be spending a coupla buck at Brownell's on pay day!

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool revolver guy - several K-frames & a coupla rugers.
That'll make cleaning a LOT quicker

hoghunting - thanks for the link.

 

[Black Knight]

If the cylinder can be removed easily I remove it and place it in a small jar with cleaning solvent and let it soak while I clean the rest of the revolver. This works very well with S&W revolvers.

 

[243winxb]

Just when i thought i see everthing.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

As it is, my need for spotlessness means that my revolvers mostly stay home because the chore of cleaning one outweighs the enjoyment I get from shooting it.

If you are not shooting them because of your need to keep them clean, then something is wrong with that picture.

Once you own enough revolvers you will stop being so compulsive.

All you have to do is remove the cylinder, run your cleaning rod with a bore brush and Hoppes #9 through each chamber and the barrel bore a few times. Just scrub away most of what you can see. Then follow up with a mop to soak up the excess, then a patch very lightly coated with Rem oil. Then use a bronze bristle brush and Hoppes to scrub away any fouling on the frame and outside of the cylinder. That's it. Should not take more than fifteen minutes. If you are spending more time than that, you are being too compulsive. Trust me on this, I have been shooting revolvers for over 40 years. They don't have to be cleaned to within an inch of their life.

And let's not even get into why it is a waste of time trying to scrub the carbon rings off the front of the cylinder.


P.S. I'll let you in on another little secret. Sometimes I put them away without cleaning them at all. Shhhhhhhhhh........don't tell anyone. Forty years and they all still go bang.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I recommend you sell your revolvers.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Just when i thought i see everthing.

Yup. Another solution in search of a problem.

 

[Shootshellz]

It IS a waste of time trying to scrub the carbon rings off the front of the cylinder. That is why I use a 'lead away' cloth; it takes much less time. But only use said cloth on stainless steel revolvers; it will damage the finish on blued revolvers. I find those who neglect their firearms are the first to complain about rust issues or why they can't find a buyer when it comes time to sell.

 

[pintler]

I took a piece of 3/16 or so rod and drilled and tapped it to fit a bore brush. I get a slightly oversize rifle brush (IIRC, maybe a .375 brush for a .357 chamber). I chuck the rod in a cordless drill set on slow and have at it.

 

[mbopp]

I use a cartridge case that has been run through an expander die, with enough flare that it scrapes the chamber when I push it in. I then knock it out with a wood dowel or squib rod. Follow up with an oversize bronze brush and cleaning patches.

 

[rcmodel]

+1
A drill & a bronze bore brush with Hoppes takes about 15 seconds per hole.

It takes out everything Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson didn't leave in there at the factory.

Been doing it for 50 years.

rc

 

[243winxb]

Use a "chamber" brush for the cylinder. They are larger in diameter than a bore brush.

 

[Anmut]

Am I the only one that enjoys cleaning my wheelies?!

 

[just for fun]

I recommend you sell your revolvers.

I've been told that the worst thing one can do to a handgun is over clean it-ruins accuracy. To that I say total B.S. I do my best to make it "like new clean." My guns, my choice. Zero tolerance for any thing less. I keep the engine bay in my vehicles cleaner than most people keep the outside of their cars. To me dirty= lazy

 

[Shaq]

Use a "chamber" brush for the cylinder. They are larger in diameter than a bore brush.

I'm surprised at how many people use a bore brush to clean a chamber. Why don't they get the hint when it is so easy to push the brush through the cylinder??

 

[Shootshellz]

Justforfun: Bingo! Do you know the two loudest sounds? 'Bang!' when it should have gone 'click' and 'click' when it should have gone 'bang!'. Amazes me that folks would never eat off a dirty plate but rely upon a dirty firearm to protect their life.

 

[CraigC]

Once you own enough revolvers you will stop being so compulsive.

Yep! You solution is to actually own and shoot more revolvers. The more you own and the more you shoot, the more you budget your time and ultimately realize that a lot of it is a waste of time. All I do is wipe mine off, when I think of it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've been told that the worst thing one can do to a handgun is over clean it-ruins accuracy. To that I say total B.S. I do my best to make it "like new clean." My guns, my choice. Zero tolerance for any thing less. I keep the engine bay in my vehicles cleaner than most people keep the outside of their cars. To me dirty= lazy

I am also meticulous about cleaning my guns, because I enjoy it. Cleaning guns is relaxing to me.

Obviously not for the OP. Hence my suggestion.

 

[gbran]

Am I the only one that enjoys cleaning my wheelies?!

I feel gunky if I leave my guns gunky. So I take a trip to my bench, turn on the stereo to rock n roll, start cleaning and daydreaming and I'm done pretty damn quick.

 

[stu1ritter]

Take one of your revolvers and keep shooting it without cleaning it until it malfunctions. Granted, occasionally you have to take a tooth brush to the underside of the extractor but other than that, I'll bet you do many thousands of rounds before it malfunctions. Most target shooters never clean them, just wipe them off.
Stu

 

[joem1945]

I bought a larger sonic cleaner and filled it with Ed's Red solution. Take the grips off and run it for a 1/2 hour @ 120 degrees. Drain and wipe down, them dry patch the cylinder and bore. Install grips and get ready to shoot again.

 

[HexHead]

Bore snake.

 

[Schwing]

I used to be the guy who cleaned them after every range trip but no more. These days I clean them when my rounds start fitting tightly in the cylinder or the cylinder doesn't move freely.

Over the years I have come to see that a lot (if not most) of the wear and tear on my handguns is from stripping them down and cleaning them and not from shooting.