Soakin parts in Ballestol Mix

H

Hardy

New member
I used to mix 6 parts distilled water and 1 part B. The last time I did it the barrel came out with tiny honeycomb scratches with X's and wiggly worms. Maybe the ballestol got too cold and I warmed it up. Maybe not. What happened?

Also, all new guns have frozen nipples that even socket wrench conversions won't turn. I'm told that by placing wrench on top of nipple w/ cylinder face down and hiting w/ hammer will release pressure and will turn. What are these Italians putting on these nipple threads:(
 
Hardy

Cheap wine.

I tried that wacking the nipple to loosen it up and got no where. Evnen bought a hand impact wrench and it just tore up a nipple socket.

I made a jig to hold the cylinder and a ratchet wrench in a vice. It is an embarassing looking contraption but it works.

Most of the other guys use a drill press and there are some good photos of that on the gunsmithing section over at www.1960NMA.org.

BTW, I did buy a revolver from Cabelas and the nipples were loose enough that they came right out. I don't own a revolver I can't get the nipples out of. I got rid of my last long arm because I could not get the nipple out of it. I am kind of odd that way.
 
Can't answer your question about the Ballistol. I use undiluted Ballistol on my weapons; but have not experienced anything like you described.

I suspect the tightness of nipples in the Italian guns depends upon whether they were installed by Francesco or Giuseppe. I bought two Piettas from Cabelas in December. The nipples on the 1860 Colt came out rather easily; while the nipples on the 1858 Remington were a real hassle to remove.
 
if you can believe the customer reviews on the Cabela's site - Pietta blues the cylinders with the nipples installed.

I dunno 'bout that - but my .36 cal. Remmie from Cabela's had no such problems.
 
It's true, Pietta does blue their cylinders with the nipples on. I took the nipples out of my Dance and Brothers revolver and the threads were in the white and not because of wear, there was no bluing on that area at all.
 
I think if you warm up ballestol and water or you have it too cold might have caused that problem-of course bp residue doesn't help. I presume and hope that using this mix should be room temp from bottle to mix. As far as nipple and wedges from Pietta---the newbee will be highly frustrated in breaking down his new toy. We want people to like these guns and enjoy them---not make them unhappy and mad. But if we break them down etc., then they are used and possible warranties are no longer in effect. It makes me:barf:

WBHARDY
 
It's just my opinion, but it sounds like you're using a LOT of water for your Moose Milk. I've found that a mix of 1:1 Ballistol and water works great for cleaning. I basically spray the frame and down the barrel and let it soak in for a few minutes. Even built up soot and residue on a S.A.A. top strap will melt away.

I've also started using the 1:1 mixture on a smokeless wheel gun in stainless because I ran out of Hoppes. Suffice it to say, there will be no more Hoppes, the Moose Milk works good on smokeless too.
 
You might be right but on instructions you can clean w 6/1 ratio. Never had a problem until just recently. Trying to figure why the litlle octagonal shape honeycombs came out on side of barrel where wedge goes in along with symetrical x's here and there. I took a gun in on trade and saw those x's at end of barrel and thought the owner used plyers to pull it from frame. Same X's:(:eek::confused: It almost looks like an engraver did it:(

Seriously, do you think changing temp of water dit it or what!?

WBHARDY
 
I used well water instead of distilled water that time. I bet it was minerals and iron that did it

WBH
 
I used well water...
Click to expand...

Our previous home was located in an area with very hard water. We used a water softner which we naturely put softner salt into. There was a gun shop in the area which dealt in alot of bp. Two senior bp shooters that worked there , stayed in an argument over what caused these sguiggly lines on the bp's steel. One said it was the iron,sulphur and ores in the water, the other swore it was the salt people used in their softners.

Don't know who was right, I used distilled. But I sure would get these two 'ole timers' going just mentioning the subject. :D.
 
Well, I think this might have developed into a good thread of info when cleaning with ballestol w/ water mix. Anyone who uses nothing but distilled water from now on out--will be hanged:D
WBH
 
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