what kind of air compressor to clean guns?

[Owen Sparks]

The solvent dissolves the crud and the compressed air blows it out.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Air compressors drive cleaning solvents further into the action than you can by hand and they displace crud. There is no better gun cleaning tool except for the bore brush.

This is fact.

Been using (60-100 psi) compressed air since the 60's. The only way to get the action cleaner is to tear it down to the last spring and part.

 

[vellocet]

The same one as you would buy to keep your tires pumped up.

 

[brickeyee]

The solvent dissolves the crud and the compressed air blows it out.

Take the gn apart the the lowest piece part level ad look carefully.


It blows it into every crack and crevice very nicely, where the solvent (if it actually did dissolve anything) evaporates leaving the crud behind.

A lot of the debris is not actually dissolved, but just carried along by the liquid. and left behind.

'Blowing things clean' with air has always been problematic for anything but the simplest items (like a bowl).

 

[thales]

After using the Ed's Red/compressor method for about five years, my guns are usually very clean. As long as you clean them frequently. Like every time you shoot them. Oh yeah, pay RELIGIOUS attention to blowing out all the little nooks and crannies. Takes maybe five minutes. Wear safety glasses.

On detail cleaning, I do sometimes find a trace of residue in the deepest spring recesses, firing pin and extractor recesses, etc. So what? I (practically) never have malfunctions, never find rust, never have any difficulty in detail cleaning, etc. No problem at all that can be traced to inadequate cleaning, lubrication, or rust prevention.

Of course, if you prefer to do it your way, please enjoy yourself.

 

[thales]

I might add that you don't need anything special in the way of compressors. One of those light duty contractor models that you can carry with one hand will do just fine, and useful for plenty of other stuff too. Don't obsess over this. Less than $100. Sears, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Porter-Cable, Harbor Freight, etc. If you need a better compressor for some more demanding job, it can do this kind of job in its sleep.