when cleaning your hand guns do you

[ATLDave]

-But cartridges are only supposed to travel in a single direction. Perpendicular ridges are probably not a good idea in this case,

If you're polishing with something that creates ridges, you're definitely, definitely doing it wrong!

 

[theotherwaldo]

-The finished surface may look glossy-smooth to the naked eye, but under the microscope it will be ridge after ridge... .

 

[Dudedog]

I like my Dremel but it stays away from my guns....

 

[doubleh]

The dremel is just a tool. The secret to using tools is to learn to use them correctly. I have three dremels and a knock-off and, yes, I've used them on guns for certain things without damage because I know how to use one correctly and also what to use it for. A trigger job? NEVER. Cleaning? NOT needed.

 

[buddyd157]

The dremel is just a tool. The secret to using tools is to learn to use them correctly. I have three dremels and a knock-off and, yes, I've used them on guns for certain things without damage because I know how to use one correctly and also what to use it for. A trigger job? NEVER. Cleaning? NOT needed.

it's actually quite funny now, video after video is popping up now for polishing the ramp, and some to polish the bore.

 

[herrwalther]

I like to chuck a q-tip in the dremel for polishing (not cleaning). Even less likelihood of hurting something than the polishing wheel, and is easier to get some spots.

I have done the same. Usually as part of a fine polish on the feed ramp, smaller areas. Last few times I have done this was before putting up a firearm that I wasn't going to use for awhile.

 

[CharliesHammer]

I've gotten a few calls from people wanting to buy their first gun (or their first gun in a long time), and that's exactly what I've been doing.

I was at a local shop waiting patiently like everybody, had a newer shooter ask me about reloading. I have only been doing it about one year, with lot's of help from THR. I got to spend about an hour showing him different loaders, components etc.. I directed him here to the reloading forum. The shops are full of first time buyers. The one small shop I frequent had zero handguns, even all the nickel 8 inch cowboy guns sold. The had like 50 870's that went home with many first time buyers today.

 

[230RN]

More guns, cameras, small boys, and coffeepots have been ruined by excessive cleaning than any other single cause.



Terry, 230RN

 

[hdwhit]

...do any of you have say for instance, a Dremel tool, and lightly buff out the feed ramp.?

Absolutely not!

My loads have been adjusted so that each of my pistols' feed ramps will feed any bullet profile I choose to load. I don't need to grind the feed ramp of the gun to get it clean, nor to feed other loads.

 

[JohnKSa]

If you are a professional, are working on a large number of guns, and have the knowledge and skill required, rotary tools can really be useful for some firearm work, though not for routine cleaning.

If you are not a professional and are only working on your own guns, you are far better off using only manual tools. You aren't under any time constraints so the additional time required is not a problem, and the fact that manual metal removal goes much more slowly is usually a big bonus. You can always polish some more if you haven't got it done yet, but putting metal back is difficult.

 

[230RN]

Cut once, try twice.

Trite but true.

 

[Zerodefect]

I've needed to polish the ramp on a Kahr p380, Keltec p32, Ruger P95DC, and a few Kimbers. Small cotton wheel and Turtle Wax Chrome Polish works well, and is too gentle to reshape anything. You'd have to be a complete moron to ruin anything with one. Only polish machined surfaces. Never hammer forged, which should already be super smooth, or melonite treated parts.

I've also stoned every internal part that needed it, on countless 1911's. Maybe a little polish here or there.

Glock trigger bars, disco's, and striker safety can use a little polish as well. Avoid polishing the striker much, it's coating is thin and you'll wear through.

I opened up and rounded the feed port on my shotgun with a dremel. Very labor intensive because the dremel walks and ruins a perfectly straight edge often. Next time I'll just send the receiver out for milling.

 

[Swampman]

-But cartridges are only supposed to travel in a single direction...

If that were true we wouldn't even HAVE feed ramps. The whole point of the ramp is to turn forward movement into upward movement.

Leaving that aside, have you never fired or even looked at an M1917, M1919 or Ma Duece with their pull-out belts?

Be glad the ghost of John Moses Browning hasn't boxed your ears off!

 

[JohnKSa]

Glock trigger bars, disco's, and striker safety can use a little polish as well. Avoid polishing the striker much, it's coating is thin and you'll wear through.

As far as I know, the plating type/thickness is the same on all of the Glock parts you mention. It's just much easier to tell when you polish through the plating on the striker.

...too gentle to reshape anything.

Even taking that as truth, for the sake of argument, reshaping isn't the only way to damage something. Removing a protective coating or plating can also be problematic.

 

[Pat Riot]

Dremel tool - “The Gunsmith’s Friend”

They are called that because people like me bought them, tried them and then the Gunsmith made money fixing what got damaged.

Dremel tools are fine tools. You just have to know what you can do with it and what you shouldn’t. New to guns? New to gun cleaning? New to Dremel tools? Keep the Dremel away from the guns.

i know you guys have seen this Glock tool but i thought that rather than to get the extended slide piece, i got this instead, and i like it. saved my fingers from getting messed up, which has happened to me.

.View attachment 900269

both the CZ and Glock has been completely cleaned and lubed just a short time ago. i know some of you have it down pat as far as time goes for cleaning and lubing, but i am a bit slower, if not only due to me being a newbie, but also, as back in my mechanic days, i try to be as thorough as i can be with anything that i do

What exactly is that you are trying to accomplish with this tool? Never mind. Found it.
https://www.concealedcarrypro.com/c...id-2382/glock_slide_removal_tool_by_gtul.html

I had not seen one of these before. I prefer to buy an extended slide release. The factory slide release can be a pain until you find “the knack” for getting it pulled down with no nails and calloused finger tips. I tend to have little tools like this at the ready when not in use so that I have something to look for when they are needed.
Things like that help fill up my precious off time helping to make me appear busy as I go about trying to figure out where it went.

 

[buddyd157]

Dremel tool - “The Gunsmith’s Friend”

They are called that because people like me bought them, tried them and then the Gunsmith made money fixing what got damaged.

Dremel tools are fine tools. You just have to know what you can do with it and what you shouldn’t. New to guns? New to gun cleaning? New to Dremel tools? Keep the Dremel away from the guns.




What exactly is that you are trying to accomplish with this tool? Never mind. Found it.
https://www.concealedcarrypro.com/c...id-2382/glock_slide_removal_tool_by_gtul.html

I had not seen one of these before. I prefer to buy an extended slide release. The factory slide release can be a pain until you find “the knack” for getting it pulled down with no nails and calloused finger tips. I tend to have little tools like this at the ready when not in use so that I have something to look for when they are needed.
Things like that help fill up my precious off time helping to make me appear busy as I go about trying to figure out where it went.

yes, with my older hands, i had a hard time pulling down the slide lock release. this tool (to me) is fantastic. maybe someday i might go for the extension, but for now, the tool will do me well.

 

[lightman]

I've polished a few feed ramps and slide rails but not as part of my routine cleaning procedures. A few times I used a Dremel tool too. With a felt wheel and some polish. But for normal cleaning the feed ramp gets brushed with a tooth brush and some cleaning solvent.

 

[Pat Riot]

yes, with my older hands, i had a hard time pulling down the slide lock release. this tool (to me) is fantastic. maybe someday i might go for the extension, but for now, the tool will do me well.

Good point. I can see where that tool could be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Sody82]

The only time i ever take a dremel to my feed ramp is to change the profile if needed to swallow hollopoints better if you dont know what you are doing id suggest getting a pistol cleaning kit and some hoppes 9 and go to town. Leave power tools and abrasives out of it.

 

[Walkalong]

Closed at OPs request.