I just boil the parts then swab the bore let the air dry it all then coat with unsalted Crisco or if you like the smell wonder lube 1000. thats for revolvers, the wood grips just a bit of wonder lube to clean the inside off Rifles and shotguns even easier take the barrels off pour hot soapy water use the ramrod with a patch and pump the water out through the nipple or touch hole let dry and same as revolvers.

 

I’ve found just hot water from my kitchen sink cleans my revolvers. I use pyrodex rather than bp so that might make a difference. I’m usually in too much of a hurry for air drying so the oven does the job. I do give my guns a light coat of ballistol after cleaning and lube moving parts with Hoppe’s gun oil except for the cylinder pin or arbor which I coat with gun butter.

 

Hot soapy water is pretty common like other said. Often times people would clean their rifles in their bathtubs. You can also just use Hoppes and gun oil. If using real black powder make sure to clean same day. Bore Butter is also a good product after cleaning.

 

Dang next time I take a bath I 'll invite ol' Betsey I wonder how hair conditioner works as a pre lube.

 

Never use petroleum anything on a black powder firearm. Period.

 

Ballistol is a petroleum product and it works great with blackpowder.

 

Reminds me of the reason I hardly ever shoot BP anymore.

 

Dishwasher, don't tell the boss..

 

Yup I heard the same thing!!! And of course, don't forget the heated dry cycle!!! And no, I am not kidding!!! I only do this for a BP revolver. Rifles and single shot pistols I use the hot soapy water method. Grips need to be removed first though!!! Spray or wipe down with a bit of oil while still hot from the dish washer, then I like to use compressed air to blow out any excess oil from the internal mechanism!!!
I will admit hot soapy water has been my go-to for many years as it is very effective and simple!!!
God Bless, Frank

 

No way can you keep it a secret that you were out shooting BP if you clean it in the kitchen, it stinks! (btdt)
I got way tired of disassembly to clean (ie, total tear down) so it was cylinder out, grips off, throw the metal into the hottest fresh soapy dishwater. Let it soak, then brush what I could, soak and repeat, then air compressor blow out.
For me, this was a great opportunity to use WD40, the Water Displacing product.
Spray the innards well and let sit overnight and repeat.
Fwiw, after a season of doing it this way I did a tear down and all was good inside; not perfect but not cruddy rusting etc. At that point I gave the innards the big clean and heavy duty lube job again.
Worked for me, ymmv.
Btw, in the field hot coffee works great for a quick clean if needed.

 

I live alone so can get away with the kitchen sink lol! Thanks for the coffee tip.

 

I cleaned mine in the kitchen once, got disavowed in no uncertain terms of ever doing it again.

 

Hot water will flash rust a bore. Cold/luke warm soapy water. Butchs BP solvent, then oil of choice. I have been using WD-40 for 40+ years with no issue.

 

Good tip, I never knew water temp made a difference in rusting. Looked it up and had to do with something about the ions in the water moving oxygen faster causing faster rusting.

 

I use my ultrasonic with water/dish soap (for everything but rifle barrels).

Have heard the "only use animal/plant based lube on BP guns" myth forever. I've always used petroleum products without issue. Now all I use is Eezox.

Just because lard was all that great grandpappy had doesn't mean it was the best.

 

For me it's hot soapy water, tooth brush and test tube brush (worked as a chemsit in a lab), air compressor blow down then a soaking with Barricade, allow to dry overnight then reassemble.

 

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I avoid any marital stress/chiding by waiting for my Green-Eyed Monster to go shopping or to her card-playing league before using the dishwasher.

This has worked for me w/o issues since the late 1960's.

I avoid leaving odors - I remove the grip panels, separate the larger/easier parts of the handgun, and place the parts on the top rack of the empty dishwasher.

No detergent necessary.....

I remove the (now) hot/heated parts from the dishwasher after the wash & rinse cycles end, but before the drying cycle starts.

The insides of the dishwasher and the gun have always come out whistle clean - no harm, no foul.

I treat the warmed parts to either a coat of Bore Butter or a non-abrasive paste wax, before storing until the next shoot.

.

 

I pull the grips then use the little red steamer, then balistol