how do you clean the breeech plug

[140orbetter]

I have a TC Omega I take the breech plug out at each cleaning. Do my best to clean it and dry the inside before regreasing it and replaceing it in the gun.
 My question is how do the rest of you clean your plug? I've run a pipe cleaner in the large end and tried immerseing it in water then the pipe cleaner . But always wonder if there is a" better way". I'm shooting Winchester MZ 209 primers and Triple 7 pellets. 140OB

[Wolfhound]

Pipe cleaner works ok. I've recently startd using a 1/8" drill bit (not in a drill) to clean out the carbon residue from the primer. A little trick I picked up from the Savage boys over on the Savage board.

[RandyWakeman]

I have a TC Omega I take the breech plug out at each cleaning. Do my best to clean it and dry the inside before regreasing it and replaceing it in the gun.

Sounds good to me-- a piece of wire after a little soaking with TCE or Gunscrubber is all I've needed, seldom the wire. A lot is breech plug specific-- your T/C has a short breechplug vs. a Knight or the Savage.

It can become a quick, 30 sec. "drill bit" cleaning in the Savage mostly because you can shoot so much between cleanings, as opposed to T 7 / Pyro fueled guns that necessarily get some attention after every single outing.

[big6x6]

Give to girlfriend.  She takes care of the breech plugs around here.

[Stan M.]

I use some T/C or Spit bath type cleaner in a prescription medicene bottle. I drop the breech plug in and  let it soak a few minute while I'm working on the rest of the rifle. Then wipe it dry is all that is usually required. Pipe cleaners do help dry out the hole.
 Brake cleaner or Gunscruber would probably do the job quicker.
 I also use a torch tip cleaning kit. This little contraption sort of folds like feeler guages. It has different size wires and a little brass brush. This works well to clean the hole and anything left on the threads.
Stan

[rickyp]

I do about the same as Stan M. I fill a medicine bottle about 3/4 way up and plop the breach plug in and let it soak while I clean the rest of the gun. I also put any other small part that will fin in the bottle.

When I am done I use automotive break cleaner and a then use a patch rolled up tight and use that to scrub the inside of the flash hole. this works very well

[rpseven]

Pipe cleaners work ok, I let mine soak real good while I clean the rest of the gun and then I go to work on the  breech plug with some Q-tips you have to tear off some of head of q-tip before it will fit down into the hole and it is a little aggravating but it seems to get the done. But I am always looking for a more better and simpler way of doing it.

[Jagdzeit]

I've got an ultrasonic parts washer in my shop. So I just drop stuff in there and don't have to touch it except to rinse and dry. :-D    :-D  

Stay Safe,
Franz

[grouse]

I like to leave it soak in BP solvent, then then blow air thru it
with air compressor.

[jh45gun]

Will have to try that ultrasonic cleaner as I bought a small one at a rumage sale the tub is aout cup size. What kind of fluid do you use in one? Something special or will regular BP solvent work?? Jim

[Jagdzeit]

What kind of fluid do you use in one?

I got my unit and solution from Omegasonics and it's a detergent that is mixed with water at a ratio of 10/1. Ten parts water to one part detergent. I have a motorcycle repair shop and use it mainly for carburetors and other small parts that I don't want to bead blast to clean. I use it on all of my stainless parts as well as my stainless handguns. I questioned the salesman as to whether the solution would effect blueing on a gun and he had no idea. He said they don't reallly sell to gunsmiths or anyone in the gun industry. Some day I have to get a blued piece to sacrifice to it.

The model I have is #4375.

The  solution is at the bottom of this page.
http://www.omegasonics.com/industrial/catalog.shtml

Unfortunately, it seems they only sell it in large 5 gallon containers.
Maybe give them a call and see if they will sell you a quart of it. It will last you a lifetime in the machine you have. If not, give me a shout and I'll take a quart out of my 5 gallon pail and sell it to you. My cost plus shipping.
fastlane@catskill.net
Or do a search for other companies that make parts washers. They should also have solution. BTW, Brownells sells them and I'm sure they have solution also. But they are VERY expensive there.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=5539
Let me know.


(edit)... BTW, just a warning. Make sure that there is a basket for the parts in your unit. If it doesn't have one, try to make or buy one made of stainless steel, because if you just lay parts in the bottom of the unit, it will eventually eat through the bottom. I guess that the vibration of the part against the bottom will eat away at it and cause a failure.

Stay Safe,
Franz

[jh45gun]

Good to know about the basket? No it does not have one I am guessing that this unit was made for cleaning jewlery but I could be wrong? Maybe will have to do a search on it. Will let you know about the fluid as I am in no hurry at the moment but will let you know if I need some fluid when and if the time comes.Thanks Jim

[John Traveler]

This probably won't affect your cleaning breech plugs, but years ago, during a police armourer's training class, we were advised to NOT use ultrasonic cleaners to do small, highly stressed parts such as sears, springs, double action flys, and such.

The reason was that repeated use of ultrasonic cleaning of small, highly stressed parts leads to stress crack failures.

John

[Jagdzeit]

The reason was that repeated use of ultrasonic cleaning of small, highly stressed parts leads to stress crack failures.

John

 John, I can see possible failure on small thin or even hardened parts if the parts are repeatedly cleaned and then subjected to a lot of use, as in a military or law enforcement situation. But on average, if the parts of a civilians weapons are only run through the cleaner on occasion, or every 3rd or 4th cleaning just to get the roughest fouling off. I don't see a problem. Then again, it would all depend on the quality of the parts in question.
Thanks for the insight.

Stay Safe,
Franz

[jh45gun]

Found out this cleaner I have is for cleaning pen tips so I bet it is not up to the task of cleaning something as big and heavy as a breech plug. It is not designed for a basket either. It probably would not work for the job intended and would not be worth the money buying the juice for it. Jim

[Rummer]

I spray my breech plug down with gunscrubber.  Then I wipe it off.  I found that the best way to clean the flash hole out with a set of welders picks.
John

[Sourdough]

Windex and a tooth brush.  Works great.  Cleans the breech plug and the threads in the end of the barrel.  I have a small margirine bowl with a lid, I drop the breech plugs into it to soak while I clean the rest of the gun with Windex.  Windex cleans all the crud out of the barrel just fine.  I sometimes forget the breech plugs and let them soak over night.  Next day I just blow them off with air and oil them.  I've never had to use anything other than air to open the flash hole.  I do this with my Huntsman and my Encore.  I do have to use a small wire on my Mossburg, It does not have a removable breech plug.