Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems - Anyone Own One?

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I hate spending time cleaning my guns and have seen ultrasonic systems for sale. Of course they're very expensive. Have any of you used one and was it worth the cost.

Also, are there any other options? I remember working in a garage where we had a parts cleaning system that used solvent that cycled through a filter. I've often thought a small version of this simple system would be good for gun parts.

What say ye?
 
my other option

My guns are (mostly) dirty.

I clean some maybe once a year or so, maybe.
Sometimes.

(Why? Because at one time I might shoot five or six during a 'session', and might have 'sessions' more than once a day, or day after day, and who has time for all that cleaning?)

I did, however, discover which of my guns would work with utter reliability when dirty. I still own those....
 
"Have any of you used one and was it worth the cost. "
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I have a small one, mostly for cleaning eye-glasses, but it's big enough to hold the barrel and slide from my Berettas. My brother, a LEO, has a big one at his station that (after removing the grips) you can drop the whole gun into. I have no idea what sort of cleaning solution they use, however.

They do work very well. You'll still need to put some CLP on the gun afterwards.

At any rate, I'd recommend one if you can afford to get a large enough one for your purposes.

"My time spent cleaning guns is quality time. (Of course, I'm retired)"
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Same here. I happen to like the smell of Hoppe's #9, too.

"I clean some maybe once a year or so, maybe."
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Shoot, my dad would have killed me if I did that. He was a stickler (as I am) for "If you shoot it, clean it before you go to bed". The oldest gun I have right now is 50 years old and still looks like new, so it's hard to argue with that.
 
Thanks!

Skeeter,

Thanks for the info.

I could probably be accused of over-cleaning, but I sometimes store my guns for 6 months or more. I'd go nuts worring about them if I didn't give them a good cleaning.
 
Keep it up

"I could probably be accused of over-cleaning, but I sometimes store my guns for 6 months or more. I'd go nuts worring about them if I didn't give them a good cleaning."
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My High Standard Derringer dates from the late 50's. Still like new. My Marlin 39 from 1971, still like new. My S&W M35 from 1972 (and they've gotten very expensive), still like new, and it gets used a lot. Even my S&W M60, which has gone on many a camping trip, stainless-steel or not, gets cleaned whenever I shoot it. Result? 28 years old and still like new.

My dad got me into the habit, and it's a good one. His 1948 Winchester 52B Sporter now belongs to my cousin, and my brother has his 1948 S&W K-22 Masterpiece, and you know what? All still like new. In reciprocation, my cousin gave me a mint Beretta 92F. Still like new.

There's no excuse for not cleaning a gun, AFAIC.

I've got a bunch more, all cleaned, and they're good to sit in the safe for a year or more at a time.

Take proper care of any of them, and they'll outlive you.

My $0.02.
 
I have a medium sized one. it works best when the water is hot. I use several different cleaners in it. Be careful some cleaners if not diluted correctly will take of finishes. Sure is nice thou.. I clean my guns when I first buy them and then once a year after that. the cleaner is just as time consuming as doing by hand. Just not as messy and it does a better job. If you live in mass you can come by and try mine out.
 
Good info

Ddskehan,

Thanks for the offer, but I'm a few thousand miles away. Interesting to know this things are time consuming, but don't you just throw the parts in and let them soak/clean?
 
in defense of filth

I really don't care how my guns look; I care how they function.

My guns function; confirmed.

I don't care about 'old'; I care about 'rd-ct', ay?
 
Got ultrasonic cleaners at work, they have some solution in them that costs 50$ a jug so that is out of the question. But it does not contain water. Works pretty well. Makers of the machines say to not use any kind of substance in their machines that can give off flammable vapors, like alcohol, kerosene, etc. So you are kinda limited there. I have a small one at home and I can clean small parts like bolts, pistol barrels, etc. I use industrial detergents and hot water and it does a good job of degreasing but then you have to rinse well and dry it quickly. Then reoil. A parts cleaner for like autoparts, that you saw, is pretty useful if you don't mind a little brushing elbow grease. You can use more volitile solvents in that safely, I think. Good for heavy cleaning like a greasy old surplus gun.
 
NEW INFO-Shooters Choice is marketing some water based cleaners for ultrasonic tanks that consist of an action cleaner/degreaser, and a bore cleaner. Jugs bottles and small bottles shown. www.shooters-choice.com That stuff should fit the bill for home ultrasonic gun cleaning without fire hazards or deadly fumes or whatever. But since it is water based, best rinse and oil afterwards? AQUA CLEAN brand name.
 
I'd love to have a small one for pistols and reloading brass. Maybe someday.

As for cleaning habits, I clean my weapons immediately after shooting them, and I try to clean them once or twice a month when they're in storage. I also like to do follow up after a range day. IE, I shoot them, clean them, and then the next day I clean them again just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I have a tendency to rush my cleaning after I've gotten back from a full day at the range.
 
I have a small (medium maybe) ultrasonic cleaner that I use for my Desert Eagle. I don't know if it's any more or less work than cleaning it by hand. I usually strip anything I put into it down to the individual parts before they go in. I fear what would happen with all of those part rubbing against each other. (I threw in a random piece of metal attached to another piece of metal and ran it for a while. Where they touched they got shinier :eek: )
Make sure you very very thoroughly lube anything that goes in one. It will strip all lubricants from every little nook and cranny.
 
Shoot, my dad would have killed me if I did that. He was a stickler (as I am) for "If you shoot it, clean it before you go to bed".
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Are we related someway? i've heard that exact phrase every day for the last 15 years (I'm only 23) whenever i even touch a gun, let alone take it shooting.

Idk if i'd use the ultrasonic cleanign systems. Sitting at the bench watching a movie is just as good for me
 
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