Using altrasonic cleaner to clean hand guns

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jack barnes

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I was watching a youtube video about altrasonic cleaner and there was a video of someone cleaning a revolver with one. I believe he was using simple green and water. Why would anyone take the chance an ruin a hand gun this way? It would take alot to convince me that it would not ruin it. Has anyone here tried this?

Jack
 
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Ultrasonic cleaner maybe? If its a stainless gun it would be fine. Ive seen guys put em in ultrasonic cleaners, and dishwashers. They come sparkly clean.
 
Wouldn't it depend on whether he took it apart, dried it and lubed it before putting it back together? IF he just shook the cleaning solution off and put it away then that would be asking for trouble. Post the link to the video if you can.
 
I clean my pistols with a good cleaning fluid and then oil it, I enjoy cleaning my pistol and wouldn't ever put it in the dishwasher or in an ultrasonic cleaner. Cleaning my weapon is relaxing and something that I take pride in doing. If you are going to try to take a short cut, maybe you can tie it to your car and go through a carwash with it on there, or better yet, just hose it down in your driveway. Or if you really want an easy way to clean a pistol, just bring it into the local police station and ask them to do it for you. And we wonder if it is true when people get shot cleaning a loaded weapon.
 
This method is used by many firearm ranges that rent. Quick and easy way to clean after renting. As long as you do not use harsh chemicals and oil after. Watchmakers use the same process, because you do not need to take every little thing apart. Personally I break mine down and clean by hand.
 
wolftat said:
I clean my pistols with a good cleaning fluid and then oil it, I enjoy cleaning my pistol and wouldn't ever put it in the dishwasher or in an ultrasonic cleaner. Cleaning my weapon is relaxing and something that I take pride in doing. If you are going to try to take a short cut, maybe you can tie it to your car and go through a carwash with it on there, or better yet, just hose it down in your driveway. Or if you really want an easy way to clean a pistol, just bring it into the local police station and ask them to do it for you. And we wonder if it is true when people get shot cleaning a loaded weapon.
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To me there is NO other way to clean a pistol. But, thanks for reminding me that, it's time for cleaning.:redface:
 
When I was working as a gunsmith we cleaned a lot of guns and parts in a part cleaner tank. You can actually clean a gun with just about anything. Dishwasher, power washer, car wash anything as long as you take the wooden grips off first and completely re-lubricate when your done. Cleaning using any of these drastic methods should also include complete dis-assembly and lubing. This is something most gun owners should not do unless you know what your doing.

On my own guns I like to take my time and clean and lube them.
 
I have cleaned firearms in an ultrasonic cleaner many times. I love shooting but hate cleaning them and have always been on the lookout for a better and easier way.

The ultrasonic cleaner does a great job at cleaning a handgun, but there are some things that you need to watch out for. Disassemble the gun and make sure you are using the correct cleaning fluid. I know of some people that have used Simple Green, and I tried it once, but I was not happy with the results and had to reclean the gun. I have tried to clean a whole slide assembly in one, and the site paint dissolved. I have put an entire revolver, minus the grips, into the cleaner. It was very well cleaned and degreased, so much so, that I had to disassemble it and lubricate it before it would work again. Now I only really clean the barrels in the US cleaner. The specialized cleaning fluid is rather costly and you really need to lubricate afterwards.


http://www.lrultrasonics.com/industries/weapons/
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0/k=ultrasonic/t=P/ksubmit=y/Products/All/search=ultrasonic
 
If you want to strip every bit of dirt, grease, and oil from your firearm, an ultrasonic cleaner is great. Now you have to take it apart and lubricate it properly, or you are going to have big trouble down the road.
Best to leave that to the gunsmith.

I just use a good solvent and field-strip the weapon down and thoroughly clean and lube at that level. Any deeper work should go to a good gunsmith, unless you are proficient and well-equipped. Those little springs and screws sure can travel. DAMHIK.
 
Why would it ruin it?

SG is gentle and the ultrasound will get it solid clean.

I have used an ultrasound to clean a TON of scuba stuff when I owned a shop - its standard practice.

I use mine for reloading - cleaning brass in the ultrasound.

Trick way back in the way when I was an officer candidate - Scrubbing Bubbles... Stuff was amazing at cleaning an M16, especially after we fired blanks and they had gunked up the works the way they do. Final inspection as a candidate and I had the armory officer as my inspector, all he could say after I was done with the rifle was my weapon was too dry. Yeah, sure Sir...bite me. My Sergeant instructor laughed when I told him and stated they all bathed in CLP.

I would use an ultrasound on any of my weapons.
 
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It's not that it would automagically ruin it. It's just another way to clean, and it can be used correctly to great effect, or incorrectly, and lead to trouble.
I've use an ultrasonic tank on high-precision molds for medical devices on a regular basis, and they work well. The potential for problems that I see on firearms is regarding the reapplication of lubricants in areas inaccessible to the owner. For instance, none of my Sigs should be disassembled beyond fieldstripping because of the amount of spring force present, although I could probably get them lubed properly. (I seem to recall seeing a lot of Sig parts on my bench a time or two, but it's been a long time :wink:)
Like anything else, it boils down to the skill and knowledge of the person using the tool.
 
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