I recently bought my first revolver, a S & W J frame (642). I have been shooting some jacketed bullets, but mostly cast wadcutters.

I don’t want to reinvent the wheel, so what are “best practices†for cleaning and lubing the little beast?

about the same as for any other gun, but a revolver also needs its cylinder cleaned. especially if you've been shooting wadcutters. you'll get a build up of crud just in front of the case that will hamper loading a normal round. just use a bristle brush like you were cleaning the barrel

Besides normal cleaning practices, I usually put a VERY light coating of grease on the ejector rod and the cylinder "gears". I'll also put a TINY amount of oil on the crane and other moving surfaces. Here is a good overview of both revolver and pistol lubrication by someone who knows his stuff.....cleaning

What I do is make up a gallon bucket of "Ed's Red". I can drop four 'N' frame S&Ws, muzzle first, at a time in the bucket to let them soak. For smaller frame Smiths you could find an appropriate depth cantainer.
After soaking I wipe the piece down then run brushes to clean out the cyclinder opening, the cyclinderm under the star, then use bore a brush and patches for chambers and barrel. If I have used jacketed ammo I will use a copper remover.
The gallon bucket is just the right depth that 6 inch barrels and cyclinders get soaked but the lock work and grips remain dry.
On some of our toasty summer afternoons I'll use the bucket to cool the gun so I can shoot some more.
Jim

Before leaving the range, I like to run a couple of cylinders full of jacketed bullets through the gun. Kinda takes the lead out. Then If I can, put some Hoppes in the bore and cylinders to soak in on the way home. Seems to make the cleaning chore easier.

Just posted this elsewhere,but will do so again. You can use heavy weed trimmer line and push a patch on smaller cals. On a cal large enough to push a loop of small weed trimmer line through,you can place your patch in the loop and drag it through. Can drag a much tighter patch than you can push. On a revolver you can clean the cylinders and barrel this way. Piece of weed trimmer line fits into your pocket easy enough so if you like doing any cleaning at the range. Arkypete mentioned Eds Red and in case anyone not familar--mix quart each of the 4 ingredients and you have a gallon--ATF,Acetone,kerosene and turpentine. You can also add a glob(scientific measuring term for oh about a tablespoon)of anhydrous lanolin(this is to help prevent rust). Anhydrous lanolin can be obtained at the drug store--I got mine at Walmart--they had to special order and I got it next day was about $12 when I got my pound of it. If you cant find kerosene--it will cost you more, but lamp oil will substitute. I store mine in a Coleman fuel can and add to my Hoppes bottle as needed.

None of the commercial bore solvents touched the carbon, bullet lube build up on the front of the cyclinder, top strap. I found the evil smelling awful looking WWII bore cleaner worked like a charm.
Jim

quote:

what are “best practices†for cleaning and lubing the little beast?

One of the "best practices" is to turn this activity over to your wife or girl friend, which ever one has more time.

This leaves you more time to shoot.