Cleaning question

[S.Kenton]

Today I shot my full stock flintlock for the first time in a while. I shot about 50 rounds through it and wiped between shots. When I was done I got a small bucket full of cool water, pulled my barrel, stuck my breech end of the barrel in the cool water and swabbed away. Two buckets later and about 3 cleaning patches later( I used my expensive blue shop towels) she was as clean as ever! I then scrubbed with wd-40 and followed that with a dry patch, followed that all up with fluid film.
Now, I’m not a huge fan of pulling my Pinned barrel on a full stock,so in the future I’m going to look at a different method.

 

[Brian Gibbs]

Just swab the bore with patches. No need to “fill” it with water and let it soak. Wipe ’er down every few! These aren’t modern guns. Shoot, wipe, check yer flint and frizzen, Little wipe here and there. Shoot again!

 

[FishDFly]

Where does this "soaking in water" come from ?
I've been doing this gig for 50 years, first I've heard of it.
Clean with water, fine
soak in water, no
We are cleaning a gun not doing the dishes.

Same place that says to use boiling water, it comes from the internet.

 

[Flinty Scot]

Check out the clamp-on flushing rig to avoid the risk of getting water in the lock inlet or barrel channel. I got mine from The Log Cabin, but I think Track of the Wolf carries them too. About $25, as I recall. Paid for itself on the first use.

Just pull the lock (you're going to clean it anyway); clamp the O-ringed opening over the touchhole; drop the weighted hose end in hot water; & pump it in/out of the barrel.

I works better than any other technique I've found for pinned b

arrels.

 

[garypl]

Lots of different methods to clean flintlocks. I’ve been shooting the same rifle since 1981 and my end of day cleaning routine is simple:
1. Stuff large cleaning patch up against touchhole and close frizzen
2. Pour small amount of Ballistol/water down barrel and lean rifle against table with touchhole facing up
3. After a couple of minutes, run a wet patch up and down a few times
4. Remove patch from pan and run a few dry patches down barrel
5. Wet patch with denatured alcohol and wipe barrel
6. Oil bore

I wipe lock off with Ballistol water mixture and that completes it. I only remove the lock maybe twice a year to clean inside. I have a lead shim (hammer a round ball into a flat strip @1/32” thick and cut to fit between lock and barrel) that keeps fouling from getting into lock innards, so see no reason to remove lock every time I shoot.
Works for me and I say whatever works for you, do it!

 

[tenngun]

I do fill the first time, clean the lock, then dump. Fill, let stand a minute dump and repeat. Do about four times. Last time water usually comes out clear. Then start swabbing with damp patches. Then dry ones.

 

[Britsmoothy]

When I plug the vent to clean the barrel I use the frizzen to hold kitchen towel there. That soaks any leakage.
It's not rocket science is it now

 

[Carbon 6]

I think we have all made mistakes at one time or another, Live and learn.