Cleaning Solvents & the Chrome Barrel

I've been reading alot about cleaning solvents and the chrome lined barrel. I've used "Hoppe's Benchrest #9" for years and before that plain old "#9". I've also used "Butches" which cleans the copper out of a Glock barrel very quickly.

It appears the above listed solvents can damage the underlayer of copper below the hard chrome if a hairline seperation occures.

My question is what is the safest cleaning solvent for the chrome lined AR barrel that is still very a effective cleaning solvent??????

There is no underlayer of copper in Hard Chrome.

That is used in flash chroming only.

Thanks Heavy Metal,

Now atleast I know I'm good to go with Butches or Hoppes

I've been told, that the ammonia in some solvents, like Sweets7.62 can damage the chrome lining if left to sit to long.

Can anyone confirm that?

Bob

Yes, that's true. Ammonia does have a catalytic reaction with chromium, so it shouldn't be left to "soak" in a chrome bore.

I wonder how many A2 barrels I ruined, whne I thought I knew better.

Bob

Ammonia doesn't help the aluminum parts around the barrel very much, either.

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Originally Posted by DRich

Yes, that's true. Ammonia does have a catalytic reaction with chromium, so it shouldn't be left to "soak" in a chrome bore.

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This is probably the reason why it's not a good idea to let ammonia based solvents soak in a stainless steel barrel. Stainless steel (by definition) has a higher chromium content than non-stainless steel. Generally, it's much higher.

Joe Mamma

Is there any test data which shows affects from prolonged exposure to SS or chrome-lining? I've read the warnings to limit exposre to 15-20 minutes max, but I've never seen any actual data which shows what affects occur given longer exposure timelines.

I don't know of any tests, but I've seen the effects and it's not pretty. One of my buddies picked up a nice Russian SKS a few years ago and decided to clean the bore with Sweets 7.62. He ran a couple of very wet patches through the bore an left it to sit...intending to swab it out in 10-15min. An emergency popped up and he didn't get back to the rifle until Sunday evening. The chrome lining was badly corroded/pitted. Basically ruined that barrel.

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Originally Posted by jmart

Is there any test data which shows affects from prolonged exposure to SS or chrome-lining? I've read the warnings to limit exposre to 15-20 minutes max, but I've never seen any actual data which shows what affects occur given longer exposure timelines.

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This might be helpful: go to http://www.schuemann.com

and look at the information under the link (on the lower left) for "Barrel Cleaning."

Many people use that information to justify not cleaning their barrels (stainless and non-stainless steels). But, it's really something that is directed towards only stainless steel barrels.

I rarely clean the bores of my pistol barrels but, that's out of laziness.

Joe Mamma

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This might be helpful: go to http://www.schuemann.com

and look at the information under the link (on the lower left) for "Barrel Cleaning."

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Definitely goes against conventional wisdom regarding barrel cleaning.

Makes me want to pitch my jug of sweets 7.62....

Thanks for the link. I'll need to check it out again but when I read it the first time it seemed to point out the effects of mixing Sweets with other cleaners, and especially with chlorinated solvents. That's a bit of a different situation.

I've used the Schuemann method of cleaning barrels for a few years on my pistols. My barrels actually foul up less when an abrasive brush isn't used.