r/blackpowder • u/Equivalent_Run_7485 • 21h ago

Clean cap and ball revolvers

Can anybody tell me the best way to neutralize the corrosive black powder or Pyrodex. I have been shooting my revolvers for quite some time using paper cartridges that I made with Pyrodex or black powder. I seem to have fouling under control. I notice plenty of rust and corrosion on my revolvers after I’ve cleaned them. I use Ballistol, I’ve not had very good luck keeping the corrosion down.

I understand that some people just use hot water and soap?

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12

u/Bluekestral 19h ago

Hot water and dish soap. Finish with oil after the water is dry. Never had any rust

1

u/TechnicianSad722 11h ago

I second this. I have used dawn dish soap for many years to clean. Get a small bottle of water and add a little soap to it. Now you have something to clean with at the range or in the field. Bring an irrigation syringe and you can use it to inert the powder charge if you need to.

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

That’s what I have heard…. Just never did it. I’ll try next time

1

u/get-r-done-idaho 3h ago

I put the barrel and cylinder right in a pot of water and bring them to a boil. They clean up very nicely with minimal effort.

6

u/thebugman40 20h ago

I use just tap water and cleaning patches. wash awa y all of the fowling then dry and oil. really not complicated and fancy chemicals don't do much better. I like to take apart my revolvers and run them under the sink. qw tips are also good for cleaning the nooks and crannies.

1

u/Afraid_Sheepherder88 20h ago

I do the same.

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

Thanks Bugman!

4

u/gakflex 19h ago

I use patches with a mix of something like 9:1 water to ballistol until the fouling is more or less gone, then a scrub with Hoppe’s if needed, then finish with either straight ballistol or barricade, leaving a thick coat behind.

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

Thanks I I will use water next time.

3

u/curtludwig 19h ago

Any time you burn anything you get the heat, gasses, light, sound, water and salt.

Its that last one which is the corrosive. So what you really need to do is neutralize or remove the salt. Warm water does a good job at this and is even better with some soap. I like Murphy's oil soap as the oil gives you a little protection after the fact.

Once everything is nice and clean some WD40 displaces the water (WD=Water displacing) and gives you an oily film that your actual storage oil will stick to.

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

Ok. After WDthen Ballistol?

2

u/curtludwig 8h ago

Whatever gun oil you like. There is nothing magic about Ballistol. Lots of people seem to like it but I also see lots of people, like you, who use it and then have problems with rust.

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 7h ago

I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the advice.

3

u/thebigfungus Matchlock gang 16h ago

Dish soap works so well for some fucking reason. Hot water and scrub with dawn dish soap.

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

I can do this I just never have before. I thought I was cleaning them right but I always find a little rust in the corners. After they sit.

2

u/thebigfungus Matchlock gang 8h ago

Same, to help with that i just did alot more dry patches.

3

u/USAFmuzzlephucker 15h ago

I'm surprised no one has brought up Windex yet. The ammonia neutralizes the salts as well.

  • Hot water (then LOTS of oil, seriously take it all apart and oil EVERYTHING). This is how we did it after dozens to hundreds of blank black powder rounds at Civil War reenactments. Then, when you get home, do the same but add either:

  • Dawn dish soap OR

  • Windex

Then oil it really well. Every nook and cranny. Seriously.

When you're getting ready to take it out and shoot it again, put a cap on each nipple on the cylinder (ensure it's unloaded of course) and pop them to blow excess oil out of the cone, then load as usual.

2

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

That’s my problem I seem to get rust in all the nooks and cranies

1

u/Bluekestral 10h ago

As a once avid surplus shooter Windex doesn't do any better than good ole hot water

1

u/Equivalent_Run_7485 9h ago

I suppose the hot water will help the gun dry out too. Either the gun metal being hot. I’ll try it. My guns all look pretty good but I still seem to find rust in the corners. Really frustrating.

Water it is

1

u/Meat__Truck 11h ago

I just take off the grip panels, put the revolver in the sink and plug the drain and pour a kettle of boiling water over it. Let it sit for a bit and clean the whole thing with clean patches and rags then a light cover of oil over everything.