Help! Carbon on cylinder face

H

Higgins

New member
I just got a stainless S&W M66. I shot it Saturday, brought it home to clean, and could not get the burnt carbon off the front face of the cylinder. I scrubbed with a nylon brush and MPro-1 to no avail.

Any suggestions for how to get the carbon off? Is this normal? Will it harm or erode the stainless steel if I don't get it off?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I don't believe it will harm the cylinder face if you leave it on.

But, if you want to get it off fairly easily just get a tube of Flitz.

I cleaned up my stainless j frame by just putting a bit of flitz on a cotton swab, applying a little to the surface and then rubbing it off.

If you are going to shoot it much that is probably too much trouble to go to every time you shoot it. But the flitz does the job quickly and relatively easily.
 
There are several "cloths" that you can buy. The one I use is called "wipeaway" I think. I use it for cleaning the cylinder on my stainless SRH. Couple of wipes with the cloth and the face is just like new. Costs a couple of bucks I think???
 
I've got a stainless Ruger Super Redhawk and had the exact same problem. Try an old toothbrush and some Hoppes gunmetal polish. It sure takes that stubborn carbon off in a hurry. I got a tube several years ago at K-Mart, before I started boycotting them for no longer carrying handgun ammo. I'm sure most gun stores would carry it also.
 
There are all sorts of cleaners that you can use, of varying degrees of abrasiveness. You can also use a belt sander, a grinding wheel, or just take off a half inch with a lathe.

Or you can leave it alone and do far less harm to the barrel-cylinder gap than you will do trying to clean off that thin discoloration which does no harm.

(Every time I read about someone who wants to wreck a gun by cleaning, I cuss drill sergeants, especially Marine "Gunnies" who ground cleanliness nonsense into the empty heads of thousands of recruits. Probably more guns have been ruined by overcleaning than ever were by shooting.)

Jim
 
Ditto on overcelaning dangers.

It might be possible the barrel-cylinder gap is too large AND the timing is a little off. This combination would cause lead shaving to a varying degree on an old or loose revolver. Probably, what you're seeing is just discoloration caused by the gasses, and it does no harm. Only if you can scratch off little lead shavings with your thumb nail would there be a problem. And, that's the sort of problem that needs a trip to the factory or a good gunsmith. Seldom a problem with a revolver which hasn't been mistreated.

Best,
Johnny
 
:) I agree with what Keenan says about the "stains" not hurting anything but I prefer the "new & clean" look to my handguns.

The lead-pencil eraser method that I use does not remove any metal from the stainless cylinder but does remove the stain. Wipe off any oil prior to using the eraser.

TRY IT YOU MIGHT LIKE IT! (costs nothing to try)
 
I usually soften & remove as much of the carbon as possible with whatever cleaning solution I am using at the time along with a toothbrush, or soft brass brush.

What doesn't come off with that usually gets a treatment of Flitz.

I don't think you need worry about opening the clearance of the cylinder gap using mild polish & brushes to any appreciable degree. Usually the cylinder gap has a few thousands of an inch in tolerance (.00X" to .00X"); I doubt you'll remove a ten thousand of an inch (.000X") in a single cleaning if you are gentle.

Also - the carbon is a build up on the face of the cylinder; carefully removing it shouldn't hurt the cylinder. I've always cleaned the powder rings from around the charge holes on my SS guns & have yet to have a problem.
 
Thanks again for all the comments. As long as the carbon build up won't erode or pit the stainless steel, I am content to let it be. Sounds like it doesn't do any harm. I've printed this, though, should it become necessary to implement some cleaning solutions.
 
A Little Dab Will Do You!

SimiChrome , as sold at your nearest automotive
shop! An old fine bristle toothbrush with some of this
on it works wonders.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
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