Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

ok..I am beyond new at this, but...

I heard the best way to clean a cap and ball revolver is to disassemble as much as you can easily, and RUN IT THROUGH THE DISHWASHER????

Then open all the mechanisms and BAKE IT IN A 200 DEGREE OVEN????

Then oil it back up.

Is someone pulling my leg? How DO you clean one of these things?

I search for "how to clean a cap and ball revolver" and found this. It was the first entry listed.

http://home.comcast.net/~dsmjd/tux/dsmjd/tech/cap_ball.htm

I have a Navy Colt Cap and Ball, but if my wife ever caught me running it through the dishwasher she would have me outside with the dog. I have used hot soapy water on it and it has not hurt it a bit; just dry it real good and oil it up. Not sure about the oven at 200 but I don't see where it would hurt
In saying that the dishwasher might work but not sure how clean it would get.

Back in the mid eighties when I was shooting my old cap and round ball .44 Plains rifle I used to clean it with a Bucket of Hot Soapy water by sticking the barrel in the water and then running the brush through it till it was clean (Had to change the water out a few times) and then dry it off real good with patches through the barrel and oil it down before I put it away. Never hurt it a bit.

But with all the bore cleaners they have now for BP they are just as good and not as messy and a whole lot quicker.

Jim wrote:I search for "how to clean a cap and ball revolver" and found this. It was the first entry listed.

http://home.comcast.net/~dsmjd/tux/dsmjd/tech/cap_ball.htm

Great article on cleaning I never tried windex

Vern

I use Hoppes Black Powder cleaner and Ballistol is excellent lube/corrosion protectant.

Running a weapon through water for cleaning is not as bad as some would think if its dried and lubricated properly...back in the day it was a common sight for us to take our weapons into the showers...made for some easy cleaning...and you could protect yourself from...undesirables...

[quote="vt800c"]ok..I am beyond new at this, but...

I have cleaned muskets, carbines, revolvers, and even cannons. Nothing is better than HOT soapy "ivory dish washing soap" water, then clear water, dry and then OIL!!!!
Don't use the dishwasher it pisses off the wife. It really does not get any simpler then that. If your shooting a lot between cleaning run a wet patch down the barrel.
Keep your powder dry

zephyp wrote:Running a weapon through water for cleaning is not as bad as some would think if its dried and lubricated properly...back in the day it was a common sight for us to take our weapons into the showers...made for some easy cleaning...and you could protect yourself from...undesirables...

Dude, you may just found the answer to the "Don't ask, Don't tell" issue!

vt800c wrote:

zephyp wrote:Running a weapon through water for cleaning is not as bad as some would think if its dried and lubricated properly...back in the day it was a common sight for us to take our weapons into the showers...made for some easy cleaning...and you could protect yourself from...undesirables...

Dude, you may just found the answer to the "Don't ask, Don't tell" issue!

Yeah but supposedly the big DOD survey says the majority of our troops say gay is ok...when I was on active duty the mere rumor that someone might be homo would bring on the blanket party...we can still say homo right?

Maybe the survey is a ruse...you know...some sinister plan to draw "them" all into the military so everybody knows who needs a funny uniform...then when everybody gets nice and comfy sipping wine and whatnot....the non-funny uniformed troops throw parties for all the guys er uh gays...

http://www.gunzilla.us/products.htm

A little goes a long way. Cleans, lubes, protects and smells reasonable. You can wipe down the outside with it (very lightly). I use it for all my guns including my ML. The only time I get out the Hoppe's is to thoroughly clean my breech plug in a hurry (which you don't need to worry about).