Old military bore cleaner question

mikenbarb · June 14, 2008, 09:38 PM

I came across some military bore cleaner from the 40's and wondering if its any good. Their are two different types. A dark one and a creamy colored one. Has anyone used this and does it remove copper? Im wondering because I can pick up a case pretty cheap.

Dfariswheel · June 14, 2008, 10:34 PM

The old WWII era bore cleaners, especially the dark brown smelly stuff contained water so it would remove corrosive primer salt residue.
While it's works great for that, there are better copper solvents made today.

Plus the old stuff is NOT healthy to use.

Hawg · June 14, 2008, 11:20 PM

I've got a few cases made in 74, Pretty good stuff but ammonia is the best copper solvent you can get.

BerettaFox · June 15, 2008, 01:31 AM

windex, huh? I used to use that to clean my supressor... NOT.

mikenbarb · June 15, 2008, 07:25 AM

How would this stuff work with plastic fouling in a shotgun?

Hawg · June 15, 2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

windex, huh? I used to use that to clean my supressor... NOT.

Who said anything about Windex?

Dfariswheel · June 15, 2008, 05:55 PM

How would this stuff work with plastic fouling in a shotgun?

Unknown, but I doubt it would work very well on it.
Certainly not as well as a modern shotgun solvent that's been formulated specifically to remove the plastic fouling.

The old US bore solvent was specifically formulated to clean US Service Rifles fired with corrosive ammo.
How well it'll work on copper fouling and/or plastic fouling is unknown because it was never intended to be use for that, plastic shells not existing at that time.

If you insist, buy it and try it. Worst case is you fail to get your guns properly cleaned, and waste a few dollars.

There's a reason the old solvent was abandoned by the US.
First, it's a health hazard.
Second, better solvents were developed for use with modern ammo.

Last, it's very possible the old solvent has a shelf life. It may well have deteriorated and no longer work properly, or who knows, it may actually be harmful now.

James K · June 15, 2008, 09:00 PM

We old timers keep a can around and once in a while we sneak down in the basement and take a sniff just to bring back memories of "soldiers once, and young." Aaaahhhh!!! I am sure a line of coke would beat the feeling, but that would be illegal.

Jim

mikenbarb · June 15, 2008, 10:05 PM

ROFLMAO, I gotta get me some, I gotta get me some!

I might have a few buyers for this in Paterson. They love the cheap crap. Im gonna buy some for the heck of it and see how it works. Who knows, It might be good or even great for shotguns. Some of the best shotgun cleaners were made in the old days and you cant get anymore because their "bad" for you.:barf:

seattlefungus · June 16, 2008, 12:45 PM

Windex... You might read the barrel breakin procedures for the Cryo barrel made by Badger Barrel...

Scorch · June 16, 2008, 02:18 PM

I remember the old milky solvent from my time in the USMC. It worked not at all well, and it smelled kind of funky, but the armorers were adamant that we use it to clean our rifles. We also soaked our rifles in buckets of parts-cleaning solvent to remove carbon when the armorers weren't watching us. In the early 1980s, the US military started issuing CLP, which worked about the same as the milky looking solvent but smelled better.

mikenbarb · June 16, 2008, 07:40 PM

I have an old container of Gold Medalion bore cleaner and its great on plastic and carbon fouling. I cant seem to find it anymore. Its a creamy brown liquid and the bottle has a mixing ball in it.

Hawg · June 16, 2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

I am sure a line of coke would beat the feeling, but that would be illegal.

I doubt it. I tried it once, gave me a head rush is all. I dont see what the big deal about it is.

June 14, 2008, 09:38 PM	#1
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Old military bore cleaner question I came across some military bore cleaner from the 40's and wondering if its any good. Their are two different types. A dark one and a creamy colored one. Has anyone used this and does it remove copper? Im wondering because I can pick up a case pretty cheap. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

June 15, 2008, 07:25 AM	#5
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Plastic fouling How would this stuff work with plastic fouling in a shotgun? __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

June 15, 2008, 10:05 PM	#9
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	ROFLMAO, I gotta get me some, I gotta get me some! I might have a few buyers for this in Paterson. They love the cheap crap. Im gonna buy some for the heck of it and see how it works. Who knows, It might be good or even great for shotguns. Some of the best shotgun cleaners were made in the old days and you cant get anymore because their "bad" for you.:barf: __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

June 16, 2008, 02:18 PM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I remember the old milky solvent from my time in the USMC. It worked not at all well, and it smelled kind of funky, but the armorers were adamant that we use it to clean our rifles. We also soaked our rifles in buckets of parts-cleaning solvent to remove carbon when the armorers weren't watching us. In the early 1980s, the US military started issuing CLP, which worked about the same as the milky looking solvent but smelled better. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 16, 2008, 07:40 PM	#12
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Gold Medalion I have an old container of Gold Medalion bore cleaner and its great on plastic and carbon fouling. I cant seem to find it anymore. Its a creamy brown liquid and the bottle has a mixing ball in it. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

June 14, 2008, 10:34 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The old WWII era bore cleaners, especially the dark brown smelly stuff contained water so it would remove corrosive primer salt residue. While it's works great for that, there are better copper solvents made today. Plus the old stuff is NOT healthy to use.

June 14, 2008, 11:20 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I've got a few cases made in 74, Pretty good stuff but ammonia is the best copper solvent you can get.

June 15, 2008, 01:31 AM	#4
BerettaFox Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 144	windex, huh? I used to use that to clean my supressor... NOT.

June 15, 2008, 05:55 PM	#7
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	How would this stuff work with plastic fouling in a shotgun? Unknown, but I doubt it would work very well on it. Certainly not as well as a modern shotgun solvent that's been formulated specifically to remove the plastic fouling. The old US bore solvent was specifically formulated to clean US Service Rifles fired with corrosive ammo. How well it'll work on copper fouling and/or plastic fouling is unknown because it was never intended to be use for that, plastic shells not existing at that time. If you insist, buy it and try it. Worst case is you fail to get your guns properly cleaned, and waste a few dollars. There's a reason the old solvent was abandoned by the US. First, it's a health hazard. Second, better solvents were developed for use with modern ammo. Last, it's very possible the old solvent has a shelf life. It may well have deteriorated and no longer work properly, or who knows, it may actually be harmful now.

June 15, 2008, 09:00 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	We old timers keep a can around and once in a while we sneak down in the basement and take a sniff just to bring back memories of "soldiers once, and young." Aaaahhhh!!! I am sure a line of coke would beat the feeling, but that would be illegal. Jim

June 16, 2008, 12:45 PM	#10
seattlefungus Junior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Posts: 13	Windex... You might read the barrel breakin procedures for the Cryo barrel made by Badger Barrel...