Cleaning a gun with simple green and water ?

[S&W 910]

i just finished watching agi's smith &wesson gunsmithing video.

during the cleaning segment of the video,he cleans the gun parts with simple green household cleaner and dips them in water to rinse them off.

i've never heard of this.Does anyone else clean thier guns in this manner and like the results ?

 

[dfariswheel]

DO NOT use Simple Green on any aluminum parts.
Simple Green attacks aluminum.

There are potential problems with using a water-based cleaner and a water rinse.
First, fail to get it 100% dry, and out of the way places could suddenly rust.

Second, this method removes all lube. You have to be very careful to reapply.

On occasion, I've used a liquid soap cleaner and hot water, but only for cleaning of parts that are being gunsmithed.

For normal cleaning I use standard bore solvent and lubes.

 

[Hal]

I started out basically shooting black power arms and gradually moved into rimfires/centerfires as I got older and could afford them.

Using hot (the key word is HOT) water and soap is SOP for cleaning black powder.

Once is a while I dunk my Ruger barrels in scalding hot water and run a nylon brush down the bore just for old times sake.

As long as the water is hot enough, and the parts are immersed long enough to heat up, the parts air dry in seconds.

Is there any advantage to doing it?
None that I can see.
@ one time I thought it was a great way to clean up after using ammunition that leaves a lot of soot. Solvents tend to smear soot around without actually lifting it. I found out that soot can be removed by wiping the surface down with a dry cloth or Kleenex.
Also @ one time, I got tired of breathing the chemical fumes from solvents. The guy at one of the local shops recommended a product called Ballistol that doesn't have any fumes and is very mild on the hands. I've been hooked on that stuff for the last few years.

It's basically a giant PITA since you have to wear heavy rubber gloves to insulate you from the hot water. It'll work in a pinch if you don't have anything else. But with non-corrosive primers and modern smokeless powders, those are rare occasions anymore.

 

[Smith357]

I've heard of it, but never done it and never will. Where I come from water can cause steel to rust. Rust on my gun is an unforgivable sin. I use Ed's red for all my guns from the BP guns to my stainless ones.

 

[444]

For a steel gun, there is nothing wrong with using water and soap for cleaning. However, this will not remove copper fouling or lead deposits in the bore.

 

[trodery]

On occassion I do the very same.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=178734

 

[AirForceShooter]

I used to shower with my M-16 before inspections.

AFS

 

[Chipperman]

I have used Simple Green to clean guns that were VERY dirty.

I dunked the disassembled gun in Simple Green and agitated. Used a tooth brush for loose stuff. Dried off with towel, then cleaned again with CLP. The CLP will displace any water left behind.

 

[James T Thomas]

personal way, civilian way, and the Army way.

During basic training in GA, 1967, Ft. Gordon; we would break down our M14's (best small arms weapon before or since) and dunk them in a heated55 gal. half drum of sudsy water. The mess seargeant supplied the lye soap. They did dry completely, and the gas piston and cylinder were especially checked. Then we relubed them, reassembled the parts, and placed the receiver into the stock. Voila'

I've not done that to my Browining, Ruger or Savage, but then I havn't qualifed with those either.

 

[CAnnoneer]

Water is not allowed anywhere near my guns, and they are all stainless steel and aluminum. Both hate water in the long run.

 

[Onmilo]

Simple Green is right up there with Windex for quick cleaning guns fired with corrosive ammunition.
I dilute the stuff to 50/50 SG and water mix and keep a squeeze bottle of the mixture in my range box.

A good cleaning with convention gun grade cleaners is neccessary for really getting the firearm clean but Simple Green will remove the corrosive compounds from the bore and metal while at the range.
If you get lazy and forget to clean the gun for a day or two at least you won't find a rusty mess when you get around to the job.