Lead Removal

R

roc1

New member
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I heard of using peroxide and white vinegar 50/50 solution for lead removal?
Has anyone used this and does it work on handguns like I have read? I was told to be careful on blued guns to protedt the finish? Will it remove rings in the cylinder as well? I am open to any good solution to leading problems as this is the only real drawback to lead bullets.Lead builds up some no matter what and can be a real pain to get out less scrubing really hard. I use the jacketed bullet method down the tube which works ok but would like other ideas as well.The Lewis remover or the lead away cloth take some real work sometimes.
Thanks
roc1
 
I've used the peroxide mix on my 1911 barrels and it works fine.

But the best way I've found is to wrap some of the copper-colored pot scrubber mesh around a bore brush and saw it in and out of a dry barrel about a dozen times.
 
Quote:
copper-colored pot scrubber mesh
Click to expand...

What is that stuff made of?
Click to expand...

Some of them are copper (the Core-Boy brand, I think) and some are copper-washed mild steel. Neither will harm your barrel. If it won't scratch pots and pans it certainly won't scratch a quality firearm barrel.

The best way to tell the difference between the copper and steel pads is to take a magnet with you to the store. (Or in my case to the drawer in the kitchen.) The ones I use will stick to a magnet.
 
The peroxide/vinegar solution works, but be careful with the liquid that results after the solution has dissolved the lead from your bore. It can be absorbed through the skin and isn't all that good for you.
 
When you are doing this kind of cleaning, just pick up a box of nitrile gloves from your local pharmacy. Best to wear them when working with something that you know is going to dissolve lead into solution. Nitrile gloves are resistant to just about any chemical you'll handle in gun cleaning, and a box of 40 or so should cost less then $10.
 
I have used chore boy wrapped around and old cleaning brush and it works, but shooting some FMJ cleans the barrel with much less effort :)
 
How does this solution affect ferrous and aluminum metals? Can I soak bullet molds in it to dissolve accumulated lead?
 
I used the peroxide/vinegar on my Stainless Super blackhawk and it works awesome. No elbow grease required. I put a rubber stopper in the forcing cone and fill the barrel with solution, have a beer, run a couple patches through and it does an amazing job and better yet very little work. I don't think I would do it with a non-stainless gun
 
Try a "Lead Wipeaway Cloth". It removes lead and powder marks. I've used them on blued guns sparingly, but on stainless guns it's the hot setup.
 
I always have a good laugh at these "expedient" gun cleaning chemicals.

People spend hundreds, even thousands on fine guns.
The lay away nights worrying if they have "the most effective" ammunition.
They agonize over the "best" lubricant.
They spend hundreds of dollars on fine holsters, the best custom grips, tuned actions, and custom accessories.

Then they dump God knows WHAT down the barrel because some Billy Bob told them it works and "Its CHEAP".

There's the old saying about "Penny Wise, Dollar Foolish".
Companies hire top-end chemists and spend millions developing gun cleaning chemicals that will clean your gun perfectly AND do it without any chance of harming it.

But Hey, the home-brew stuff is CHEAP.
 
Then they dump God knows WHAT down the barrel because some Billy Bob told them it works and "Its CHEAP".

50/50 peroxide and white vinegar for those that weren't paying attention.
 
I shoot a lot of lead through 8 different revolvers and pistols. Some barrels collect more lead than others. For the most part I use Shooter's Choice and it does a pretty good job rather fast.

When the lead is a real problem such as gilding I use the Outers Foul Out II System and it works fast and is easy to use. This system excels in both lead and copper removal. It does a great job though the newer units are more expensive. But I only use the system once a year because the Shooters Choice does a decent job in even less time.

I guess the same would hold for the vinegar mix as with the OFS II, you really don't want to soak the barrel for an extended amount of time. I'm sorry but I do not have any first hand personal use of the vinegar mix.
 
I have one more quick question do you just wrap a piece of the chore boy around the brush and it will stay on? I guess the bristles hold it if it is a small piece?Just a dumb question I know
Thanks
roc1
 
Here is a link that can explain it better than I can.
http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh/spmisc.html

Now I know some people may be mixed just like everything this has its followers and those that may not like it. However it works well for me.

I bought mine over 10 years ago and they went for under $70 Today they have been upgraded and the cost is now around $100, but I do shot a lot of lead for IPSC. The chemicals are extra but like I said I don't use this system every time I clean my guns.

It may or may not be for you but it is an option.
 
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