Rust

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I have a habit of bringing my pistols in and disassembling and cleaning them as soon as possible, but then I leave them disassembled for a day or two and go back and check them before putting them back together. Fortunately I have a place that I can do this. It makes the chore of cleaning easier. I do my rifles the same way. If things become, to much work, then I don't have the desire to shot them, as often. I buy old tuperware containers, at flea markets and yard sales, and place the cleaned parts in them, to keep things organized.
 
6 Shot said:
Ballistol works great for cleaning and rust prevention.

A 1:10 dilution of Ballistol in water is an excellent cleaner. That is what I use on my revolvers. Most likely it would work as well on my rifles but I still prefer soap and water for them.

One thing about the 1:10 dilution of Ballistol is that you can let it air dry and it will leave a film of Ballistol on your gun. I would not depend on that thin film to protect my gun from rust but the point is that if you use soap and water or other water based cleaners to clean your gun, you cannot simply let it dry because without some sort of rust preventive, you will end up with rust in and on your gun. With the 1:10 dilution of Ballistol, that doesn't happen. It's great stuff for cleaning revolvers and individual gun parts but I still prefer to clean my rifle bores with soap and water. That's just me. What can I say. :idunno: And rebel that I am, as good a product as Ballistol is, I do not use Ballistol to protect my gun from rust. I think there are better products on the market for that purpose.

That's just my opinion and just like there are many ways to skin a cat, there are even more ways to clean a gun.
 
I use a Ballistol/water mix as a patch lube and the occasional wet patch down the bore when the "crud ring" builds up. It also makes a pretty good cleaner, but I prefer windshield washer fluid for a thorough job. I usually follow that with a bore swabbing and general wipe down with one of the CLP oils. If it works in the heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast it should be good everywhere else.
 
Whatever works for you. The Gulf Coast is an excellent testing ground for good cleaning procedures and products. If it works there, it will work anywhere. I know, I used to live on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Back in the day when I was a boy.....back before TV was in every home and homes had air conditioning, you learned to live with rust and mildew. Back then, the common storage place for guns was the closet. Believe me, you had to take them out frequently and wipe them down with oil or they would get rust speckles all over them. Yep, the Gulf Coast is a good testing ground for rust preventive procedures and products. If what you do and what you use is working for you, keep doing it. :thumbsup:
 
To all you WD-40 haters.....Sunday I grabbed a .50 flinter I had not shot in about 10 yrs. Been in a seldom used gun cabinet all this time. Looked down the bore and said DAMN that cabinet has a leak (LOTTA dust in the bore). I used 1 single patch, came out clean as new (with a bit of dust). NO RUST. WD-40 was ALL I EVER USED back then. In fact I just started using Barricade per the ravs I read here....see now I dont need to.

:eek:ff I couldn't hit crap :( . I LOVE(ed) a single thin blade but could NOT SEE it on target. I will be seeing the eye DR soon and may even be gettin a different sight for this one :idunno:
 
When I left for my first tour in Germany in the Army, I left my guns with my father. He lived in Victoria TX, hot and humid. I used WD-40 in the bores of my guns and 3 years later they were just a good as the day I left, no rust at all.

I'm a believer in WD-40. It definitely works for me.
 
Fluid Film contain lanolin, if I recall. I find that it leaves a waxy surface film, and that makes me reluctant to use it in the bore. It is fine on the outside of the barrel.
If I was to use Fluid film, I would use it on external surfaces and apply other protectants as a barrier to rust in the bore.
Ron
 
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