Lead, hate the stuff!

W

wogpotter

New member
How do you remove the fugly lead deposits from the OUTSIDE front of a blued revolver cylinder?:confused:

Not the face but the edge where the scallops meet the front face.

I'm so fed up with taking weeks with a toothbrush till I get it all gone & see blue again.
 
Since that's the business end of the cylinder it figures to get the worst of it.
There's probably as much powder and primer stuff as lead.
The lead is the easiest to avoid, use jacketed or plated bullets.
The other crud is going to be there regardless.
If you still prefer using lead bullets, a more agressive approach might be needed.
Soaking the end of the cylinder in Hydrogen Peroxide will dissolve or soften lead, but it might also damage the finish.
And use a bronze brush, instead of a mere toothbrush.
For the other crud, try a solvent with ammonia or acetone.
Some caution is required
 
Some caution is required
Click to expand...

An understatement worthy of an Englishman. :rolleyes:

Bronze brush can take off your blueing unless you are very careful, and even then you might still have a "worn" spot. A steel brush/scouring pad, etc., absolutely will.

I have no idea what you are shooting, I've never had any build up on the sides of the cylinder that didn't come off with a cloth and Hoppes 9.

rings on the cylinder face, I don't even worry about. But that's just me.
 
Solvent.
Rag.

Done.


If, for some reason, that isn't effective... Maybe a tightly-wound cotton swab with some BoreTech Eliminator.

But, like 44 AMP, I don't get lead deposits on the sides of my cylinders - just the face, and I don't really care about the rings on the cylinder face.
 
Wogpotter, I've never experienced anything like what you are talking about but if you are up to trying an experiment I've got something that might help. What if the lead had nothing to hold on to? If the edge that you are having trouble with had a nice coating of oil or some other protective layer, the lead would have nothing to adhere to making it easier to wipe off.

It certainly would be easy enough to try.
 
I will never understand why people stress over cylinder face burn rings...

OOPS!

I see the OP is talking about something else...

I think *scratching head*
 
Pictures:
Its the "oval rings" of silver-colred stuff the arrows point to.

DSCF1665_zpsu9iduzye.jpg


I call it "lead" because it only ever happens if I shoot lead (non jacketed or plated) bullets. It never happens with plated/jacketed loads. Solvents don't touch it, I've tried Hoppes, M-pro-7, Sweets & others all with the same lack of success. It eventually goes away after repeated cleanings (usually 7~10 of them) & it seems to be bullet/lube/powder independent as I always get it with any lead bullet but never with anything else.

The first time I found it I thought it was finish wear, but it isn't the blue is still there under this stuff.

I've often been accused of over-oiling, but never of leaving it dry, so oils don't seem to help, good idea though!
 
Have you tried the Birchwood-Casey lead remover cloth? I have used them on my revolvers; and with a little work they take off all of the lead and fouling stains from the front of the cylinder.
 
The Lead-Away cloths will remove the finish. They're designed for stainless steel firearms.

Some people do claim to use them on other finishes, but...
Extreme caution (and inconspicuous testing) is in order with blued or coated firearms.
 
I soak mine with some solvent, then dig at it with these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/77...pick-set-4-piece-polymer?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Specifically, the on at the top of the pic. They're nylon, or some type of tough plastic. It still takes a little elbow grease. I'm not saying it's easy; but it eventually gets it off.

My first gun was a blued Python (still have it). It quickly became obvious to me that wanted something with a more durable finish (or no finish at all, i.e. stainless). Every subsequent revolver purchase of mine has been stainless.
 
I took a NRA pistol course and the instructor (retired police officer) used an ink eraser to remove the lead/powder from the face of the cylinder. Did the job very well.
 
Jeez guys!
Lead away cloths, Scotchbrite pads, pencil erasers WILL REMOVE BLUING!
Stop spouting things that are harmful. I know you're only trying to help, but you are doing more harm than good.
 
Wogpotter, what is your cylinder gap? Is it possible that your gab is too big? Perhaps your revolver is due for a tuneup.
 
i's odd that the marks are only on the oustide and not in the grooves, i would assume it looks like holster wear, if you weren't telling me otherwise. I haven't seen that on my revolvers.
 
Try Otis carbon remover. Don't be too obsessive about cleaning a blued gun, or you will remove the finish. Consider it a badge of honor for a gun that actually gets used.
 
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