Michael; what a tour de force! Most excellent overview of cleaning firearms!
I would just add two points:
First, in my experience, even aggressive solvents such as Shooter's Choice and Accubore sometimes need several DAYS to completely remove the fouling. After all, it IS a chemical reaction, and while copper is a fairly reactive metal, lead is not.
I just keep running a patch through soaked with solvent, and take another look the next day.
Second, any degreasing solvent leaves the parts very dry. I would, especially in a humid environment, use one of the spray products, such as Shooter's Choice Rust Prevent.
Another option is the Tuf-Glide liquid from Sentry solutions. This dries to a dry, very thin film, and actually bonds to the metal.It isalso available with the ingredient and a carrier on a cloth, which is particularly good for wiping down the outside. This is Tuf-Cloth. There is a regular, and for very corrosive environments, a Marine Tuf-Cloth. I have been favorably impressed with these products, and owe the still pristine bluing on my 1957 Gold Cup to Tuf-Cloth.
Hope this helps, Walt
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