As others have stated, Solvent, brush and patches, pretty much gets the job done. As to how often, y experience, you wil pretty much know when it's time to clean. I do apply a light weather resistant film, inside and out. Turrently using a B&C product, call "Sheild". Another product I use, is "Strong-Arm"...Do I really need to buy an ultrasonic to properly clean my 22 and 45 mags?
There really is no "Best-Way"; Just what works best for you and I'm sure there are some folks who will use and ultrasonic cleaner. A friend of mine, uses a small plastic bucket with a screen at the bottom and filled with mineral spirits. Just soaks his mags for a couple of of days or so. removes them and lets them air dry. He's happy ......Best way to clean mags?
I'm curious as to whether your friend disassembles the mags first, or keeps them assembled when using the mineral spirits method. The reason I'm wondering is because unfortunately, I live in a state with a 10 round mag limit, so I've had to install magblocks in many of my mags, and either epoxy or rivet the baseplate onto the body. I've been wondering how the heck I can clean them without being able to disassemble them.There really is no "Best-Way"; Just what works best for you and I'm sure there are some folks who will use and ultrasonic cleaner. A friend of mine, uses a small plastic bucket with a screen at the bottom and filled with mineral spirits. Just soaks his mags for a couple of of days or so. removes them and lets them air dry. He's happy ......
Be Safe !!!
That does complicate things a bit. I can't answer for someone else, but I'm guessing you could just toss them into a bucket of mineral spirits for a few hours, press the follower down and wipe the feed lips, drip dry or blow dry with compressed air and call it good. In your case a sonic cleaner would get the job done but still probably unnecessary.I'm curious as to whether your friend disassembles the mags first, or keeps them assembled when using the mineral spirits method. The reason I'm wondering is because unfortunately, I live in a state with a 10 round mag limit, so I've had to install magblocks in many of my mags, and either epoxy or rivet the baseplate onto the body. I've been wondering how the heck I can clean them without being able to disassemble them.
Frank
Thanks for the suggestion, Skippy. I will certainly give the mineral spirits a try when my mags are due for some cleaning. It's not currently an issue for me since I'm primarily using revolvers because of a couple of recent rounds of hand surgery which make it difficult to use anything but revolvers...for now.That does complicate things a bit. I can't answer for someone else, but I'm guessing you could just toss them into a bucket of mineral spirits for a few hours, press the follower down and wipe the feed lips, drip dry or blow dry with compressed air and call it good. In your case a sonic cleaner would get the job done but still probably unnecessary.
Avoiding dirty ammo is also a good idea.
_______________
*I'd give right arm to be ambidextrous*
That does complicate things a bit. I can't answer for someone else, but I'm guessing you could just toss them into a bucket of mineral spirits for a few hours, press the follower down and wipe the feed lips, drip dry or blow dry with compressed air and call it good. In your case a sonic cleaner would get the job done but still probably unnecessary.
Thanks for the clarification.That is pretty much it but just let them "Drip-Dry". Also slosh them a bit. He also cleans other firearm parts as well. Parts and magazines my sit for a number of days. After a time, you can see the dirt at the bottom of the bucket and nice to be able to reuse the mineral sprits. Will add that "some" mineral spirits leave a light surface film. Be sure the bucket has a good tight lid and I prefer the regular mineral spirits. ......
Be Safe !!!
Ok I am very curious, why do we not oil them?That would do it but would be overkill.
I clean my range mags twice a year (weekly shooting) by taking them apart, clean everything with solvent and a brush, wipe the spring coils with a rag, dry well and pull a silicone cloth through the mag and wipe the follower with same, inspect for cracks and deformed feed lips and slap them back together.
Don't oil them.
Takes about five minutes per magazine.
_______________
*I'd give right arm to be ambidextrous*