Cleaning Lock

[Rob DiStefano]

i don't spend much time on a full clean.  after pulling the lock, i use a nylon brush and a weak moose milk concoction and then really hot water, allow to dry, a bit of ballistol on a nylon brush to get it into the internals, a final wipe down with a paper towel, back on the rifle.  goes fast.  probably lots more care than most 18th century locks ever saw.

[RonC]

I lost the case colors on a Double barrel action in the ultrasound cleaner was using simple green. It was gone in 10 minutes. Be carefull

Now, THAT'S what I wanted to know. I was a little apprehensive about the Ultrasound cleaning because of the "faux" case coloring.

Thank you.
No Ultrasound for these guns.
Ron

[River_Rogue]

I tend to favor the hot/boiling water method. I have a question though. After cleaning and the water evaporates, if you put a very light coat of oil on the inner workings, is there anywhere that would be bad for the oil to be?

[River_Rogue]

If you coat the inside of the lock with a very thin coat of oil, will it adversely effect any part of the mechanism? Is there anywhere that should not have oil on it?

[Rob DiStefano]

If you coat the inside of the lock with a very thin coat of oil, will it adversely effect any part of the mechanism? Is there anywhere that should not have oil on it?

the pan, frizzen, flint and touch hole need to be - Must Be! - as clean as can be of any oil, powder residue or dirt prior to loading and shooting.  i pull and clean out the entire lock after every shooting session then use a super light bit of break free clp on all of the innards with a clean cotton cloth.  SO ... i inspect/clean the pan, frizzen, flint and touch hole prior to every load and shooting.  this is what i do, other folks may have other thoughts and processes.  as long as it works consistently and well, it's all good and ymmv.

[River_Rogue]

Right I knew about the frizzen, flint, and touch hole. I should have been more specific. I was primarily concerned about light oil adversely effecting the internal lock mechanisms. Thank you.

[Rob DiStefano]

a light "coat" on the internals is, imho, a good thing.

[wattlebuster]

I like to use H2O with a drop or 2 of dawn an an old toothbrush. Been working for over 30 yrs

[Ironhand]

Ultrasonic brass cleaner with 3:1 mix of water and Murphys oil soap. I run it about 3 cycles and it wipes clean. If not run it a couple more cycles.

Ironhand