Have you heard of using a carburetor cleaner like Gumout Carb Cleaner for a first pass on cleaning rilfes barrels?

Thanks.

Hey Buliwyf...

Yep...I have been using carb cleaner for years on both rifles and shotguns...seems to work very well...sure hope I have not been setting myself up for a rude surprise.

Hi kreyten,

I was a spectator at a Benchrest match recently and thought I saw them using a carb cleaner followed up by a solvent like Butch's Bore Shine so I just wanted to check with folks here.

I regularly use brake parts cleaner to flush our the upper and lower of my AR-15. I've been told not to use carb cleaner but have never been told why.

I'm hearing that carb cleaner can ruin the fininsh on metal and stock (wood & synthetic) and also carb cleaner can leave the bore "too clean" needing an oil patch pushed thru before first firing.

Also, hearing good reports on a product called Mpro-7 also sold as Hoppe's Elite which is non-toxic and biodegradeable.

I'm wanting to improve my cleaning routine but the carb cleaner may be too aggressive for me.

Dear Buliwyf:

I have used non-chlorinated brake cleaner to clean up barrels and receivers prior to rust bluing. When it dissolves, it leaves no residue, which is what it was designed to do.

On the other hand, carburetor cleaner has oil in it. So, after you de-gunk your carburetor, it does leave an oil based residue, thereby lubricating the moving parts in a carburetor. Also, what it was designed to do.

I've never tried carburetor cleaner when cleaning guns.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

Most of the BR shooters, that you see using BrakeClean or Carb cleaner, are using it to clean their bore brushes after scrubbing. I switched to plain old rubbing alcohol.

Thanks guys.

Just remember to use the brake or carb cleaner in a well ventilated area. The stuff is not good for humans!

Try GM combustion chamber cleaner, right out of the jug. I use Hoppes #9 to take the CCC out of the bore after.

I wouldn't use carb cleaner. That stuff will eat just about anything it touches. I don't know if it's still to be had, but my gunsmith told me to use GM Top Engine Cleaner. You buy it in 16-ounce cans at any GM parts counter. Cost is about seven bucks-- back in November of 2005, that is...

GM TEC recommendation-

http://www.6mmbr.com/borecleaning.html

quote:

Originally posted by Mort Canard:
Just remember to use the brake or carb cleaner in a well ventilated area. The stuff is not good for humans!

Not to mention that smell lingers around for ever.
Grizz

I buy Brake Cleaner by the case. A lot cheaper than Gunscrubber. When cleaning between relays I do not have time to dilly dally around and Brake Cleaner works great to clean the brushes as well.