Copper Solvent

Ryan H · May 24th, 2007, 02:34 AM

I've always used copper solvent on my rifles during regular cleaning, and even my shotgun occasionally when performing a detailed cleaning for storage. I use it on my Glock occasionally for the same reasons, just because my Glock is a work horse and frequently gets close to a thousand rounds put through it when I attend shooting "get togethers" with my friends.

Does anyone here frequently use copper solvent on their pistols? I don't feel right not using it, but don't know if its actually safe to use on pistols or not. What the deal is, jive turkey? ;)

Sig229 · May 24th, 2007, 06:04 AM

Honestly, I really cant tell the difference when I use either.

I usually use "Gun Scrubber" for cleaning my bores.
Although, l after shooting any of my guns, I clean them to the point where its just as clean as when I bought the gun new. Many people tell me that's overkill, but I like it to be SUPER CLEAN!

If you are using enough bore brush strokes and mopping with patches, I really dont see how you would really need a special copper solvent.

Of course everyone's experience is different, but I just gave you mine.

HTH!

Ryan H · May 24th, 2007, 06:37 AM

I'm pretty meticulous when it comes to cleaning my firearms, and I must say the copper solvent DOES work, no matter how clean you think your bore is. I give my bore a full cleaning, dry it, and then apply the solvent just to see how much copper is removed. The patches will usually come out clean, but blue instead of white.

Schwebel · May 24th, 2007, 01:57 PM

I use it on every firearm I own. I don't see why it wouldn't be "safe" to use. Also I thought on Glocks and all other firearms with polyaganol (or however you spell that darn word) rifiling it was even more important to use copper solvent.

blueyedevil · May 24th, 2007, 02:07 PM

I use copper solvent on my pistols but only after 500-1000 rounds. I've found that they just don't copper-foul badly enough to bother with it every time. Not to mention the accuracy drop is just not apparent like it is on a rifle. But I think it's worth doing every once in a while, especially with the polygonal barrels. If nothing else it'll make regular cleanings easier if you get the copper out every once in a while.

P95Carry · May 24th, 2007, 02:20 PM

IIRC the copper solvent has to use ammonia - and that is not as I have been led to believe a good thing to leave in the bore - possibility of erosion I am thinking.

That said - it seems important to ensure total post-cleaning after using it ... so none remains.

A tad off-topic - Anyone found any good de-leading formula? I use a Lewis de-leader for handguns but in my Ruger #1 have to use bore-scubber - also some residue after shooting cast bullets eventually. Not found anything that really does the trick fully - and I am not likely to be trying mercury any time soon

Ryan H · May 24th, 2007, 05:08 PM

Chris,

I use the Outer's foam, the can says it contains no ammonia and is non-abrading. I've also come to the understanding that ammonia isn't a good thing.

To everyone else,
Thanks for the replies. I like to use it every cleaning since theres never any telling how long they'll sit before they're taken out again. I didn't know it was that much more important with polygonal barrels, why is this?

P95Carry · May 24th, 2007, 05:14 PM

Ahh the Outers - must check that out.

I am making an assumption re polygonal barrels - I am thinking they will require a greater degree of bullet deformation during the engraving and need to be kept free of build up. That said - I have to think of how many Glocks go on and on with nary a clean

.

dimmak · May 24th, 2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P95Carry

IIRC the copper solvent has to use ammonia

I use ammonia to remove copper from my bores and just wash out and rinse thoroughly.... I coat the bore with CLP and wipe out, never a corrosion problem....

dimmak · May 24th, 2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan H

The patches will usually come out clean, but blue instead of white.

In case anyone doesnt know, the blue is copper......

May 24th, 2007, 06:04 AM	#2
Sig229 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pennsylvania and West Virginia Posts: 524	Honestly, I really cant tell the difference when I use either. I usually use "Gun Scrubber" for cleaning my bores. Although, l after shooting any of my guns, I clean them to the point where its just as clean as when I bought the gun new. Many people tell me that's overkill, but I like it to be SUPER CLEAN! If you are using enough bore brush strokes and mopping with patches, I really dont see how you would really need a special copper solvent. Of course everyone's experience is different, but I just gave you mine. HTH! __________________ *A "CCW" Is NOT* a Carry License. Its your Concealed Carry Weapon!**

May 24th, 2007, 02:20 PM	#6
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	IIRC the copper solvent has to use ammonia - and that is not as I have been led to believe a good thing to leave in the bore - possibility of erosion I am thinking. That said - it seems important to ensure total post-cleaning after using it ... so none remains. A tad off-topic - Anyone found any good de-leading formula? I use a Lewis de-leader for handguns but in my Ruger #1 have to use bore-scubber - also some residue after shooting cast bullets eventually. Not found anything that really does the trick fully - and I am not likely to be trying mercury any time soon __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

May 24th, 2007, 05:14 PM	#8
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Ahh the Outers - must check that out. I am making an assumption re polygonal barrels - I am thinking they will require a greater degree of bullet deformation during the engraving and need to be kept free of build up. That said - I have to think of how many Glocks go on and on with nary a clean . __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

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May 24th, 2007, 02:34 AM	#1
Ryan H Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 136	Copper Solvent I've always used copper solvent on my rifles during regular cleaning, and even my shotgun occasionally when performing a detailed cleaning for storage. I use it on my Glock occasionally for the same reasons, just because my Glock is a work horse and frequently gets close to a thousand rounds put through it when I attend shooting "get togethers" with my friends. Does anyone here frequently use copper solvent on their pistols? I don't feel right not using it, but don't know if its actually safe to use on pistols or not. What the deal is, jive turkey? ;)

May 24th, 2007, 06:37 AM	#3
Ryan H Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 136	I'm pretty meticulous when it comes to cleaning my firearms, and I must say the copper solvent DOES work, no matter how clean you think your bore is. I give my bore a full cleaning, dry it, and then apply the solvent just to see how much copper is removed. The patches will usually come out clean, but blue instead of white.

May 24th, 2007, 01:57 PM	#4
Schwebel Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 416	I use it on every firearm I own. I don't see why it wouldn't be "safe" to use. Also I thought on Glocks and all other firearms with polyaganol (or however you spell that darn word) rifiling it was even more important to use copper solvent.

May 24th, 2007, 02:07 PM	#5
blueyedevil Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 616	I use copper solvent on my pistols but only after 500-1000 rounds. I've found that they just don't copper-foul badly enough to bother with it every time. Not to mention the accuracy drop is just not apparent like it is on a rifle. But I think it's worth doing every once in a while, especially with the polygonal barrels. If nothing else it'll make regular cleanings easier if you get the copper out every once in a while.

May 24th, 2007, 05:08 PM	#7
Ryan H Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 136	Chris, I use the Outer's foam, the can says it contains no ammonia and is non-abrading. I've also come to the understanding that ammonia isn't a good thing. To everyone else, Thanks for the replies. I like to use it every cleaning since theres never any telling how long they'll sit before they're taken out again. I didn't know it was that much more important with polygonal barrels, why is this?