[Hopyard]

This seemed like possibly the right forum to ask this question.

Back in very early Jan I got in a hurry while cleaning a gun. I can't recall if I just sprayed break free
down the barrel or if I ran some Hoppes #9 through, but didn't bother to run a cloth swab through to
dry everything.

I loaded the gun, put one in the pipe, and set it in a draw until about 3 weeks ago. So, let's say
3 1/3 months passed before I looked at the gun again.

I was heading out of town (not planning to carry this one) and so I broke it down to hide the barrel, receiver, slide, recoil spring and guide rod, in various hiding places in my home while away.

When I racked the slide back to extract the round in the pipe, I noticed a gooey sticky mess, and the
brass was tarnished--- not green, but not exactly what the brass should look like.

OK, so I've thoroughly cleaned and reassembled the gun, but I'm stuck with the cartridge with the tarnished brass.

Anyone think it is not safe to use?

Anyone think it probably is OK?

I can chuck it next time I'm at the range, and probably that would be the safest option.

I'd like to get opinions and ask too if anyone has had a similar problem.

Any opinions on whether it was Break Free or Hoppes?

 

[Badey]

I watched a video; I think it was Hickock45, but don't remember now. He put a drop of Hoppes right on the primer of 20 rounds and let them sit for 6 weeks. They all fired just fine.

I would use it for a range round if it were me.

 

[G-man*]

Hop, certain chemicals can react with brass and make it turn. I have had this happen before. No big deal.

To ease your mind, run a patch thru the barrel several times, and chamber a new round. Put the old one aside for shooting off next range trip.

 

[TX expat]

I wouldn't be concerned about it. Neither Break Free or Hoppes should damage any alloy, so I don't believe you've any fear of having a case failure or something like that. Now if you dipped the ammo in ammonia then you might have reason to be concerned.

On an inquisitive note, you break down weapons and hide parts like a squirrel hiding nuts for winter? Buy a gun safe man! What happens when you forget where you stashed the barrel! I'd spend a week trying to get everything disassembled just so I could leave town and then about a month figuring out where I put it all :embarassed:

 

[Hopyard]

I wouldn't be concerned about it. Neither Break Free or Hoppes should damage any alloy, so I don't believe you've any fear of having a case failure or something like that. Now if you dipped the ammo in ammonia then you might have reason to be concerned.

On an inquisitive note, you break down weapons and hide parts like a squirrel hiding nuts for winter? Buy a gun safe man! What happens when you forget where you stashed the barrel! I'd spend a week trying to get everything disassembled just so I could leave town and then about a month figuring out where I put it all :embarassed:

I'd lose the key to the safe or forget the combination. It takes less than a minute to take this one apart and another couple of
minutes to squirrel the parts away. I then type a note about where everything is located so I can't forget. I put the note
on Google Drive, and thus if I get hit by a BIG Truck while traveling, my son can figure out where the pieces (and other stuff of value) are located.

P.S. Before I figured out that I needed to write a note and upload it to a safe location, I did once go nuts trying to find the
recoil spring. One time cured me.

 

[Hopyard]

Hop, certain chemicals can react with brass and make it turn. I have had this happen before. No big deal.

To ease your mind, run a patch thru the barrel several times, and chamber a new round. Put the old one aside for shooting off next range trip.

Exactly what I have done, except I wasn't sure I should fire it at the range. I was concerned about a case failure, but I see
Tx Expat feels that isn't likely. I still might just chuck the round when at the range.

 

[TX expat]

I'd lose the key to the safe or forget the combination. It takes less than a minute to take this one apart and another couple of
minutes to squirrel the parts away. I then type a note about where everything is located so I can't forget. I put the note
on Google Drive, and thus if I get hit by a BIG Truck while traveling, my son can figure out where the pieces (and other stuff of value) are located.

P.S. Before I figured out that I needed to write a note and upload it to a safe location, I did once go nuts trying to find the
recoil spring. One time cured me.

Your son must not be much of a prankster because if I had that sort of opportunity when my father was alive, I'd have been in there editing the location of a few key parts!

 

[Hopyard]

Your son must not be much of a prankster because if I had that sort of opportunity when my father was alive, I'd have been in there editing the location of a few key parts!

I think at 36 he has grown past the prankster stage. OTOH, with 1600 miles between us I couldn't easily water board the locations out of him. I'd be reduced to begging Mrs H to quietly ask him to be nice. :aargh4: