Topic: Lead removal

[agunforeachhand]

Not sure if this is in the right area , but here goes. What is the best thing to use to take lead off of your barrel? I remember someone saying something about vinegar and something else. Anyone know? Thanks

[Michael N]

Its a 50/50 mix of Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide . Just stick an old ear plug in one end and fill it up . I can't remember how long I let it sit but I think I just left it set while I cleaned and oiled the rest of my handgun maybe 30 minutes max . TGibsons Dad Mike showed me the trick when I first got into IPSC and was shooting lead . When I switched to copper plated bullets I quit using it .

[agunforeachhand]

Thanks Mike. I had it in my head it was salt. Lol

[J Mack]

Put the mixture of ½ white vinegar and ½ hydrogen peroxide in the barrel and fill to the top....let stand 10 minutes and pour out. Run a patch in there and you will get all the lead and fouling out....run some more until its clean....make sure to keep this off your blueing.

I also use one of these.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=21587/Product/LEWIS_LEAD_REMOVER

[Kid Sopris]

Never mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together, as that forms peracetic acid, a caustic chemical.  

There are store bought recipes for % of Vingar and % of Peroxide that are diluted. But you are treading on dangerous ice and the results may not only ruin the finish on any firearm, but also cause long term ill effects.

Rethink your strategy!

[J Mack]

AGFEH

I agree with Kid if you are going to clean your $2500.00 plated steel and engraved barbeque gun with a home made mixture it’s a bad idea.
I think if you are going to clean your simi auto with a removable stainless barrel and use some common sense and don’t let this caustic solution sit in your barrel too long our come in contact with any of the outer finishes you will find this a very effective lead remover without any long term ill effects. Remember it’s caustic that’s why it dissolves lead but if used in moderation it will not harm stainless steel.
FYI; I cleaned my barrels with chemical lead remover for years and switched to a mechanical Lewis lead remover because of the mess chemical cleaners make everywhere especially ones that dissolve lead .

More good info on homemade cleaners: 
http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm#Lead

J

[birddog1989]

For light leading I use Montana Extream solvent and it seems to work very well for me. If I have heavy leading I use Chore Boy Copper Scrubber and an old bore brush.

http://www.choreboyscrubbers.com/metal.htm

[tgibson]

From the "Mikes Thoughts" portion of the MGM Targets website:

5) For HEAVY leading, 50% white vinegar mixed with 50% hydrogen peroxide. Put an ear plug in the chamber end, stand the barrel on end, (good luck with your revolver) fill it to the top with the mixture, and set the timer on the stove for 15 minutes. Dump it out, run a patch wrapped around an old wire brush through it, and you're good to go. If not quite clean, do it again for another 15 minutes. I don't know why this stuff works, so I wouldn't leave it in there for more than 15 minutes at a time, and I make sure it is completely out of the barrel before I put my patches away. Maybe even run an "oil rinse" through it. Or Nitro Solvent, if you really miss the smell.
Adios,
TG

[High Wall]

Not sure if this is in the right area , but here goes. What is the best thing to use to take lead off of your barrel?

Fire a few jacketed bullets.

[agunforeachhand]

Thanks Mike The hydrogen peroxide and vinegar worked great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Half and half is what I used.

[NoviceHunter]

Fire a few jacketed bullets.

That really just polishes the lead and makes it look shiny.  It's still in there.

I soak in mpro-7, then just brush it out.  Safe to soak it in that stuff damn near forever.  Does nothing for copper, however.

[High Wall]

That really just polishes the lead and makes it look shiny.  It's still in there.

I soak in mpro-7, then just brush it out.  Safe to soak it in that stuff damn near forever.  Does nothing for copper, however.

I don't particularly want to get into an argument but my experience says shooting a few jacketed bullets takes the lead out.  Way back when, before I began casting my own bullets, I used the swaged lead bullets sold by Hornady and Speer.  These bullets lead barrels and cylinder throats as bad or worse than anything out there.  You don't have to push them very hard to get rapid lead build up in the cylinder throats and forcing cone.  In the bore, lead deposits especially on the driving edges of the lands and grooves.    I learned that firing some jacketed bullets, or even gas checked cast bullets, would take the lead out.  I confirmed the lead was gone using a strong light.

Years ago, I lived in Kotzebue, Alaska.  We used to shoot out on the ice south of town.  The snow covered ice would stop bullets without damaging them.  We would find them lying on top of the snow looking just like they came out of the barrel.  A friend had a Ruger 44 that was badly leaded.  I suggested the jacketed bullet trick.  We found several of the bullets afterward and they looked as if they were partially lead plated.  No question that the lead was removed from the bore and chamber throats.

I have cleared lead deposits from the forward sections of 45 ACP chambers the same way.  It works.

[NoviceHunter]

No real need to argue.  The question is how clean someone wants the barrel, and how much leading your trick removes.  Easy enough to test; run a dry patch through after your method.  Pencil lead used to be made out of lead for a reason.

There's probably also an issue of pressure with your method, though I doubt it matters except in corner cases (like a .40 glock or something.)

[kaen3e]

for those who are conerned with homebrew cleaners.  don't be, just don't breath them.  i clean suppressors(silencers) in that mixture all the time.  works great just keep it away from aluminum.  it will eat it quick.   i am amazed at the pile of lead and carbon in the bottom of my glass container after soaking.

[pv74]

Get a Lewis Lead Remover from Brownell's...

There is no equal....

[agunforeachhand]

So you all know I used the vinegar/peroxide method and it worked great. I also tried shooting 200 rounds through my blackhawk .357 and then shot some .38's FMJ and that cleaned it pretty good too. So all in all 2 of the idea's I have read have worked. Thanks too all

[NGO]

Just picked up a Outers FOUL OUT II  Electro-Chemical Bore Cleaner system at a yard sale for $10.

This think looks brand new, never been used.

I'll have to try it out on an old rifle to see if it works.

[dutch1911]

Lots of great ideas, honestly I've never heard of the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide deal... but to each his own.  Since I fancy the blued guns... I think I'll stick with what I use.
Good ol' fashioned elbow grease!
birddog1989 had it right the chore boy copper pot scrubber, IMHO is easily the best.  In a bind the green scrub pads you can pick up anywhere was a good trick I learned from an Old Timer who's a good friend (Thanks Steve).  Just tear a small chunk off, put er on the end of the rod and polish away. 
I've learned to lean away from all the caustic chemicals as much as possible, acidity is acidity no matter the name.  Some do work better than others, but hey lets face it when push comes to shove and you begin to realize that years of chemicals going into your skin... that's gotta lead to something.
So... look for some safer more economical options.  Just my 2 cents...

Either way, enjoy, have fun Ride Hard, Shoot straight and speak only the truth.

Dutch1911
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