Spit as a bore cleaner?

07 April 2002, 06:49

I discovered somehow and at sometime that spit (saliva) on a patch seems to work as a bore cleaner (patches come out real black). Has anyone else had experience with this or know whether or not it's ever been seriously evaluated? Advantages are (1) no exposure to toxic chemicals, (2) you always have some with you, (3) inexpensive (I"ll say!

07 April 2002, 07:11

<Don Krakenberger>

Kinda reminds me of a movie where the truck was low on coolant so everyone took turns peeing in the radiator!!

07 April 2002, 07:14

<leo>

Saliva has enzymes(sp) that start the digestion of the food you eat and would probably work somewhat as a solvent. However, it would leave an unwanted film in the bore that would harden as it dried.

07 April 2002, 07:23

sonofagun

Hey Krakenburger, I said "spit", not wee wee, and Leo, how do you KNOW it will leave a film(?) in the barrel (obviously you run dry patches through as a last step)?

07 April 2002, 07:55

Need Just 1 More Gun

Will you have brushed and flossed your teeth before salivating your barrel? You wouldn't want food particles to become lodged in the chamber.

Also, if you drink a soft drink before you start cleaning your rifle, then your spit will have sugar in it. It is well known that too much sugar can cause cavities, so by extension this could pit your bore.

I guess one way to prevent spit from hurting your barrel would to chew some Dentyne before each cleaning session.

You might want consider consulting someone who is a dentist and gunsmith before pursuing this further. Also, spit shining your barrel may be difficult if you live in the desert, or if you have a really bad cold.

------------------

I know the next rifle will be the answer to all my hunting needs....

07 April 2002, 09:45

sonofagun

Need - I of course am referring to regular, clean, normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill, unsweetened, smooth not chunky, well after eating or drinking (except water), SPIT!!

And leo, how about a reply to my ?

C'mon guys, I'm serious about this and would like some serious replys backed up with experience and/or facts/research. I thought at times it cleaned better than commercial cleaners I tried!

[This message has been edited by sonofagun (edited 04-06-2002).]

07 April 2002, 11:35

RJS

Yes sir,

you heard me right. I'll take a pair of the doublemint twins and a bottle of #9, for the cleaning session that is.

Thank you very much sir and good day to you too.

07 April 2002, 12:06

sonofagun

Huh?

07 April 2002, 12:25

RJS

Son,

that was supposed to be a funny. But on the more serious side, your saliva has acid in it, the first part of the digestive system is the saliva and chewing that goes on in most peoples mouths. I don't know if it will harm your bore or not but I think I'll stick with the regular cleaning stuff for my more expensive guns.

RJS

07 April 2002, 19:27

Pyrotek

Saliva contains : water, protein, enzymes, bacteria cells, and dead cells from your mouth, salts, food bits, some organic acids and carbonated acid...etc.

When saliva is being put on a hot surface like a gun bore, it really leaves a "film" as it dries up, and kinda stinks.

08 April 2002, 08:04

sonofagun

Saliva stinks huh, well I think the usual solvents (Shooters Choice, Hoppes, or you name it) stink a whole lot worst AND they ARE dangerous chemicals to get on yer skin OR inhale tha fumes thereof - saliva is NOT!
Like I said I've seen patches come out real black using spit As far as leaving a film, I'm talking about cleaning a bore after your done shooting and it has cooled down. What kind of fumes are given off by bore cleaners when they're heated? Very poisonous I'm sure.

08 April 2002, 08:07

<.>

Spit is used as a patch lube in black powder shooting. Seems to work as well as anything. But I'm a big fan of veggie shortening.

I'd not use shortening as a bore cleaner, nor spit either for that matter.

------------------
.223 Ackley Improved Wildcat Forum:
http://www.hotboards.com/plus/plus.mirage?who=223ackleyimproved

08 April 2002, 08:32

sonofagun

I've used veggie shortening as a resize lube with good results(anybody else?) - is also non-toxic - and Oh, RJS: LOL

08 April 2002, 08:47

<Gary Rihn>

quote:
Originally posted by sonofagun:
Saliva stinks huh, well I think the usual solvents (Shooters Choice, Hoppes, or you name it) stink a whole lot worst AND they ARE dangerous chemicals to get on yer skin OR inhale tha fumes thereof - saliva is NOT!

sonofagun-

You seem determined to make a point, to the point of being defensive over a trivial subject. If you want to use spit, go ahead. Myself, I'll pass. I can use solvents and never get them on my skin.

Besides, I *LOVE* the smell of Hoppe's!

08 April 2002, 09:04

Pyrotek

sonofagun,

I am not sure why you have this saliva idea in the first place, and you probably want to hear people say it's a great idea, yet I don't find it practical. Commercial solvents are not that toxic, basically industrial solvents loaded with ammoniac salts, you don't get bad health unless you inhale it.

If you used pure water, patches come out as black as well, but just like saliva, it will NEVER remove copper.

08 April 2002, 10:50

Longbob

My Grandma's spit would lap a barrel. Her spit was the original "Soft Scrub." I hated it as a kid when she would clean my face in a restaurant.

09 April 2002, 04:13

<leo>

Sonofagun, yes you can run dry patches down the bore but saliva is not all that likely to be wiped clean from a bore like a regular solvent would be. Heck, I guess it wouldn't hurt anything.

09 April 2002, 04:33

Scout

Don't drink a coke while your spittin in your barrel.....

I use it to clean battery termanals.......

Late....

09 April 2002, 04:51

John Y Cannuck

The idea aint worth spit!

09 April 2002, 05:30

rick3foxes

When Saeed isn't looking, Walter cleans the barrels with spit.

But the secret is....

He always gargles with Hoppes #9 first.

09 April 2002, 08:26

sonofagun

Let's be scientific about this - would someone "out there" who has a bore scope, please test my idea (yea, yea, I admit it's rather %$#&^%y!), BUT just think of how the WHOLE WORLD will GREATLY benefit if it does work!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, this would tell us exactly how it might compare as a cleaner.

actual 35 shot group 753.9 yards, .030 inches
.300 sonofagun (wildcat) magnum, shot ONLY AFTER cleaning bore with...guess what?

09 April 2002, 08:34

Recono

Sonafagun,

Why do you want someone (else) to test the use of spit, when the urine supply is much larger?

Overkill,

Where are you now that we really need you?
Ask some questions!

09 April 2002, 12:57

John Y Cannuck

"Why do you want someone (else) to test the use of spit, when the urine supply is much larger?"
Hey, Pis$ on that idea.

09 April 2002, 14:51

Need Just 1 More Gun

If you used Scope or Listerine to clean your barrel, would it reduce that "bad bore smell" that is so embarrassing when your big bore meets a pretty little varmint gun in the rack?

10 April 2002, 10:06

Canuck

Need-1, Embarrasing boritosis has been linked to gun disease.

11 April 2002, 03:09

<eldeguello>

Hoppe's No. 9 DOES NOT EITHER STINK!!! It smells like Ambrosia of the Gods!! It's Outer's nitro solvent that stinks!!

11 April 2002, 03:33

Scout

You spit would not be consistent. Your toothpaste, food, drink, etc. Would change the chemical balance in your Spit...

So you better figure out what you should put in your mouth before going shooting.

I am sure there is a much better solution. Get it, solutionï¿½ I like the smell of Hoppeï¿½s No. 9

Late....

11 April 2002, 11:39

sonofagun

quote:
Originally posted by scout:
You spit would not be consistent. Your toothpaste, food, drink, etc. Would change the chemical balance in your Spit...
So you better figure out what you should put in your mouth before going shooting.

I am sure there is a much better solution. Get it, solutionï¿½ I like the smell of Hoppeï¿½s No. 9

Late....

AHA! You need to read my post of 4-6 @ 23:45, The sspecified sspit WOULD be conssisstent!

They laughed at Galileo and Copernicus too!

[This message has been edited by sonofagun (edited 04-11-2002).]

11 April 2002, 20:36

Pyrotek

Sure, Galileo and Copernicus got accused and burned but for a good cause.

Sonofagun, please, if you are such a believer, run a scientific test, give us some proof, then you can ask us to believe. Maybe it will lead to a new compound of great cleaning characteristics.

Otherwise you are just wasting your time.

12 April 2002, 13:35

sonofagun

Isn't that what these forums are for?

And where did I ask anyone to believe? I just asked if anyone else had any information, experience, or knowledge concerning this subject - EXCUUUUUUUSSSEE ME!

16 April 2002, 03:35

Need Just 1 More Gun

Sonofagun,

Sorry for all the abuse. This was just too easy a target!

------------------
I know the next rifle will be perfect.......