BigMan54
posted this
27 December 2017
I used to drench my cap & ball revolvers in BALLISTOL before leaving the range. The single shots I cleaned at the range using water heated on an ancient PRIMUS Stove. Oiled them up and was good to go, never a spot of rust.
With the cap & ball, when I got home, I used hot soapy tap water, then hot water rinse. by the time i was done the guns were so hot that the water evaporated immediately.
Then about 20yrs ago I got introduced to "HAR TRIGGERS 'ESPECIALL' BLACK POWDER SOLVENT" . I used it to clean 2 1860 ARMYS all the way down, an 1873 .44WCF all the way down and a SAVAGE 311 SxS. When I was done and the guns oiled up and reassembled. MY HANDS WERE PERFECTLY CLEAN, AND SOFT.
HAR TRIGGER'S concoction was a mix of 1/3rd each of: MURPHY'S OIL soap, hydrogen peroxide and 91% rubbing alcohol.
I've never used anything else since. not a speck of RUST on any Black Powder gun or gun that has shot Black Powder Cartridge ammo.
I tried the windex w/vinegar once too. In the hour it took me to drive home, an 1851 Navy already had rust on it.
Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.