Solvent use

[jka5000]

Is it necessary to use solve every time when cleaning the slide and frame? It seem like is can be a little harsh on the polymer (Glock, HK), so I am wondering if I can get away with out using solvent often? If I can clean solventless how often would your recommend using the goood ole #9

 

[The Bushmaster]

Solvent everytime you clean your gun? Who told (taught) you that? Depending on how often you use a particular fire arm maybe once a year, if that often. Most often I just wipe the parts with a rag, lube and reassemble.

I don't disassemble the slide but once or twice a year, maybe...It's just not needed unless you are putting thousands of rounds through it ever month or two or drop it in a mud puddle.

 

[Fumbler]

I don't use solvent on anything except the bore and chamber of any gun.

Everything else gets wiped down (and sometimes scrubbed a little with a nylon brush) with Breakfree CLP.
For me, Breakfree has worked just fine for cleaning and I use it for lube. It just easier to only use one thing.

 

[metalman8600]

The polymers used in firearms are glass-filled high grade nylon.

The main chemical in the solvents are Acetone and Benzene, which have no effect on the polymer. But keep your polymer firearm away from Chlorinated pools.
http://www.huntingdonfusion.com/downloadfiles/NYLON chem resistance.pdf
http://k-mac-plastics.net/data sheets/nylon_chemical_resistance_chart.htm

 

[Ala Dan]

Don't get solvent around nickel finished firearms; as some of them will
definitely help lift the finish, right off of your firearm~!

 

[jka5000]

I was taught to use as little as possible and try to use it every other time cleaning if possible. I'm asking cause I have a relative new to shooting and when she looked on the internet almost EVERY online guide said to use solvent on both slide and frame (I guess thats why you shouldnt always trust the internet).

 

[Shadow 7D]

Um, most people drop the slide, remove the barrel and the start scrubbing the begeezit out of if, if they are going that way

Solvents are used when solvents are needed
so, if you don't know when to use then, read a lot more. Most complete gun cleaning kits have instructions and really with modern powder you only need them for the really stuck on stuff, and then break cleaner works wonders, unfortunately it can also eat your Glock.

 

[moxie]

Well, I use solvent every time I clean a gun which is after every time I shoot a gun. Where did I learn that? First, from the guy who taught me to shoot in 1956. Second, from Air Force instructors, the first of which was in 1970. And many others subsequently. Also, "Never let the sun set on a dirty gun." I take care of my guns, and they've never let me down.

 

[metalman8600]

break cleaner works wonders, unfortunately it can also eat your Glock.

Brake cleaner has no effect on nylon. In fact, factories use acetone and other brake cleaner chemicals to clean residue off newly molded nylon products.