Homemade Electric Bore Cleaner

[WILD_WEASEL]

Given the amount of fouling in the barrel of my M44 I decided to us it as a test bed for an electric bore cleaner I cobbled together for under $10. Google "electric bore cleaner" for more information. I used the following: battery holder for two C batteries, alligator clips, 1/8th inch music wire with insulators made from heat shrink tubing, and a rubber stopper. For a dielectric solution I used two parts water, one part vinegar and one part ammonia. I de-greased the bore with acetone, inserted the stopper in the chamber, filled the bore with the dielectric, inserted the music wire in the bore, connected the + to the receiver, and - to the music wire. It started bubbling as soon as I connected the leads. I let is run 30 minutes then scrubbed out the loosened grime (carbon, copper, rust) then ran it another 30 minutes. The second scrubbing only took six patches till they were coming out clean using Shooters Choice. While the bore is still not perfect it is much improved from when I brought home.

[torpedoman]

directions with pics for making the cleaner are at www.gswagner.com

[30-30man]

I made one out of an old cellphone charger, steel rod, cork, and straight amonia.  It worked great.  It amazed me how something so simple could save me hours or scrubbing and cutting patches.  I used them on two old Tula Mosins I just bought.  A 1925 hex and a 1938 round.   I could see flecks of copper come out of the round Mosin.  Both of them bubbled up black/brown gunk.  I encourage anyone who wants to restore an old rifle with a cruddy bore to try it.

[WILD_WEASEL]

30-30man,

How long did you run yours?  I've run mine an hour total with the two parts water, one part ammonia, one part vinegar solution.  I'm being conservative on how long I run it.

[30-30man]

I only left it in there for 20-30 minutes then dumped the solution and started over again until nothing came out but clear ammonia.  The first two sessions, the ammonia turned blue because of the copper that was in the barrels.  I then scrubbed them with Hoppes and finally a coat of gun oil.
Maybe I didn't leave it in there long enough. 
  The 1925 still has some frost in the valleys between the rifling but it's starting to shine. The 1938 is worn badly.  The rifling of the 1938 is pitted and worn.  I guess I'll never get that out.  These were the first guns I ordered from Aim and probably the last. The bores were not what I've been use to as I have always ordered excellent or better from Century.  The ones I ordered from Century had much better bores. I even payed for hand select and can't say they were.