Anyone clean their gun with shaving cream?

[HavinaPretzel]

While at work recently, my supervisor (an Army vet) got to talking about guns and such and he said he likes to use the foamy kind of shaving to clean his guns. I'm not a gun expert by any means, but this is something I've never heard of. That said, I'm kind of lazy about cleaning my guns because of the time it takes, so if this works well and quickly, I might give it a try. Have any of you guys done this? If so, do you recommend it? Are there any dos/don'ts about it? Thanks

 

[Average Joe]

I'm sure he meant foam gun cleaners, not shaving cream. If he did, I'll bet his guns don't have a 5 o'clock shadow.

 

[benEzra]

I dont know about shaving cream (ionic detergents can cause rust if not rinsed thoroughly, and they don't dissolve powder residue very well), but I do know that Outers makes a foaming bore cleaner that looks for all the world like a small can of shaving cream, and the cleaner looks like shaving cream. You stick the little hose into the chamber and press the button until foam comes out of the muzzle; you then let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes and then use a cleaning rod and patches to wipe it out. It works great.

They sell it in the sporting goods section at Wal-Mart and probably most outdoors stores. Here is what it looks like, except what I bought was in a can with red trim:

I wonder if that's what your supervisor was talking about? I'm certainly a fan of it.

 

[anthony-white]

Actually when in a pinch shaving cream will help remove carbon deposits. I'm on my ninth year active and have used it a few times.

 

[scout26]

I've used toothpaste to polish my uniform brass, does that count ???????

 

[skeeter1]

Well, I suppose in a pinch you could use shaving cream, but you's have to rinse the heck out of the gun, dry it throughly, and still run a protectant through it. Personally, I prefer the smell of Hoppes #9 to Old Spice anyway.

 

[karlsgunbunker]

It works to clean tables in a Daycare. (according to my wife)
If it'll do that It'll do clean anything. LOL

 

[finnerandr]

While in the Marines, we would use shaving cream to break down our boots and get all the old polish off. Just lather it on and scrub with a soft brush. Then once it dries, reapply polish and work up to a nice spit shine. If it will take polish off of boots, I imagine it would take something off of a gun as well.

 

[Geronimo45]

If it will take polish off of boots, I imagine it would take something off of a gun as well.

Probably the alcohol in the stuff. Rubbing alcohol (especially 91%) takes the polish off boots very quickly, and the shaving cream I've got has alcohol as an ingredient.

 

[Never No More]

Been using Hoppes Number 9 for 40 odd years now.
Does its job, and smells nice too
Dont figure on changing any time soon

 

[Warren]

It's also a floor wax!

 

[El Tejon]

No shaving cream, but my grandfather used to clean his guns with mercury and sometimes coffee.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

I'd rather use diesel, gasoline, or kerosene if I were in a pinch which actually are very effective cleaners(Hoppe's is Kerosene based IIRC) and more likely to be available.

Why anyone would put that sticky crap(shaving cream) in a machine is beyond me and I've never seen it done.

my grandfather used to clean his guns with mercury

And people tell me I'm crazy when I've used gasoline.

In the army YOUR gun is your PENIS.
The thing you shoot is called a rifle or a pistol or a sidearm.
When you say MY GUN you are talking about your pecker.

That wasn't lost on me. The version I was taught differed in "killing" was where your "fighting" is.

 

[lanternlad1]

I do not clean my gun with shaving cream, as it has not reached puberty yet. When it does, and we have to go through the ritual of learning to shave, then I will probably clean it with shaving soap. Shaving cream would dry out its finish, because it has an oily complexion.

 

[JWarren]

I guess I was too subtle.

Sadly, I got it the first time.


-- John

 

[Wynder]

Actually, if you use the old foamy kind of shaving cream on your bathroom mirror, it won't fog up from shower steam. Don't ask how I found this out.

 

[Billy_H]

I've heard of using shaving cream and hot water before, but I've never tried it so I can't speak to how well it does/doesn't work.

 

[shc1]

I forget to clean my Nagant once upon a time.
The barrel looked as if it needed a shave.

 

[strat81]

That said, I'm kind of lazy about cleaning my guns because of the time it takes,

Buy a boresnake and some CLP.

 

[Walkalong]

nope

 

[Navy joe]

I actually want to get ahold of a good bit of mercury, as long as you keep it contained, don't heat it, don't eat it, etc. it is not hazardous. Apparently it is the cure for de-leading a gun barrel.

 

[HavinaPretzel]

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll try some of that Outers foaming bore cleaner, or CLP and a bore snake (I don't have on eof those yet) but not shaving cream.

 

[Nomad101bc]

Wierdest thing we used on M16A2's was Q-tips to clean those god forsaken star chambers...

 

[Jdude]

Nomad101bc, you got that one right. I swear that spot was designed to gather up all the dirt in the country.

I have heard of shaving cream being used before, but I have never seen it. Somebody give it a try and let us know how it goes.

 

[strat81]

Wierdest thing we used on M16A2's was Q-tips to clean those god forsaken star chambers...

I have a stack of q-tips on my bench for cleaning. I was never in the service. What's so weird about it? Their great for all the little nooks and crannies of guns.