Any harm in cleaning guns at reloading station?

jproaster · April 1, 2012, 05:33 PM

As some know, I've built an outdoor (under carport) cabinet to reload. I've got a dillon on their two-part base, which is easy to remove from the bench. I'd like to use that space to clean my guns. Could there be any issue that you can see? Also I'm in the middle of putting several coats of spar varnish on the work top.

thanks,
john

hooligan1 · April 1, 2012, 05:43 PM

I also use part of the main bench I load on to clean rifles. I've had zero issues with the two programs... What do you think you might incur?

Gerry · April 1, 2012, 05:47 PM

Well the from the Canadian perspective, it would be ill-advised to clean firearms under your carport - especially pistols. A carport is open, and nice ladies walking their dogs down the street may see what you're doing. This will result in a call to police, and subsequently many helicopters and SWAT teams will be attempting to take you out before you cause damage.

jproaster · April 1, 2012, 07:54 PM

Being new to reloading, I'm wondering if certain chemicals may become a problem or who knows what may be an issue.

Gerry, I live in Tennessee. And even the proper ladies might have a problem if you're not cleaning your guns right.

CherokeeT · April 1, 2012, 08:04 PM

I have cleaned my guns at my reloading bench for 40+ years. Not a problem.

jwrowland77 · April 1, 2012, 08:14 PM

Good question, I was actually wondering that myself.

jproaster, I'm from Arkansas and its about the same here. Bring ya a glass of tea and if they see something out of sorts would clean it right for you.

Sport45 · April 1, 2012, 09:22 PM

It's only a problem if you have a habit of pouring your powder on the bench top and cutting it into lines to inhale.

I don't clean guns on my reloading bench. I typically do that at the kitchen table. My reloading bench is my garage workbench and everything from carburetors to lawnmower engines have been cleaned on it. Paint, oil and solvents have stained the surface well...

lpspinner · April 1, 2012, 09:46 PM

I've cleaned my guns at my reloading bench before. No issues. I have no open powder or primers around so no issues should I spill any solvent.

That aside, my new favorite spot to clean my guns is the wife's new washing machine. When she's not home, I thrown a cloth over it and clean away. It's like the perfect height.

rclark · April 1, 2012, 10:00 PM

My standard place to clean guns is my bench. My bench is used for reloading/cleaning/modeling/etc.... . Never entered my mind that there could be a 'problem'.... and as far as I can see there isn't

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jproaster · April 1, 2012, 10:18 PM

Thanks for the reply all. A couple days from now ( two more spar varnish coats) and I'll be reloading and have a proper place to clean my guns.

john

McShooty · April 2, 2012, 07:43 PM

Just try not to spill Hoppe's #9 on your primers. Seriously, I do nothing but reload at my reloading bench. Otherwise, I would have presses, dies, trimmers, scales, measures, cartridge trays, case lube trays, shellholders, priming tools, calipers, and micrometers,etc., clobbered up with rods, brushes, mops, plugs, solvent, oil, grease, patches, and rags, etc. And I couldn't get a rifle cleaning cradle on my bench without removing all the bolted stuff, and if could, I couldn't easily get at breech or muzzle for rod work. My best setup for cleaning is a 4x6 piece of 3/4 inch ply on sawhorses in the middle of the garage,with a plastic tray for tools and one for solvents and patches, arranged so I can walk completely around it.

m&p45acp10+1 · April 2, 2012, 08:54 PM

I clean my guns on the bench. I have a seperate area where I load, and another area that is work space. I make sure not to pour chemicals in my powder measure, or put primers on the bench top.

zippy13 · April 2, 2012, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Just try not to spill Hoppe's #9 on your primers.

Nor spray anything in the vicinity of freshly primed brass...

If you've got the common sense required to reload, then you've got the sense to avoid contamination.

sc928porsche · April 3, 2012, 11:42 AM

Even though I am somewhat organized. There just isnt room on my reloading bench for rifle cleaning. I have a bench that is dedicated to gunsmithing work.

Shootest · April 3, 2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

It's only a problem if you have a habit of pouring your powder on the bench top and cutting it into lines to inhale.

Yea, the doc says the nitrogen is not good for my heart, STRANGE he gave me some nitro pills to take for pain in my chest. Must be political.

jproaster · April 3, 2012, 12:30 PM

I want to say thank you to each for the contribution. Things like not using an aerosol around clean brass didn't even occur to me. There is so much to learn. I might get creative and build a rifle stand that juts out from the cabinet for use and recedes when not.

Again thanks. Your contributions help in my unique circumstances.

john

April 1, 2012, 05:33 PM	#1
jproaster Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 239	Any harm in cleaning guns at reloading station? As some know, I've built an outdoor (under carport) cabinet to reload. I've got a dillon on their two-part base, which is easy to remove from the bench. I'd like to use that space to clean my guns. Could there be any issue that you can see? Also I'm in the middle of putting several coats of spar varnish on the work top. thanks, john

April 1, 2012, 05:43 PM	#2
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,619	I also use part of the main bench I load on to clean rifles. I've had zero issues with the two programs... What do you think you might incur? __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

April 1, 2012, 09:22 PM	#7
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	It's only a problem if you have a habit of pouring your powder on the bench top and cutting it into lines to inhale. I don't clean guns on my reloading bench. I typically do that at the kitchen table. My reloading bench is my garage workbench and everything from carburetors to lawnmower engines have been cleaned on it. Paint, oil and solvents have stained the surface well... __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

April 1, 2012, 09:46 PM	#8
lpspinner Junior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 7	I've cleaned my guns at my reloading bench before. No issues. I have no open powder or primers around so no issues should I spill any solvent. That aside, my new favorite spot to clean my guns is the wife's new washing machine. When she's not home, I thrown a cloth over it and clean away. It's like the perfect height. Last edited by lpspinner; April 1, 2012 at 10:16 PM.

April 2, 2012, 08:54 PM	#12
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,947	I clean my guns on the bench. I have a seperate area where I load, and another area that is work space. I make sure not to pour chemicals in my powder measure, or put primers on the bench top. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

April 1, 2012, 05:47 PM	#3
Gerry Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 382	Well the from the Canadian perspective, it would be ill-advised to clean firearms under your carport - especially pistols. A carport is open, and nice ladies walking their dogs down the street may see what you're doing. This will result in a call to police, and subsequently many helicopters and SWAT teams will be attempting to take you out before you cause damage.

April 1, 2012, 07:54 PM	#4
jproaster Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 239	Being new to reloading, I'm wondering if certain chemicals may become a problem or who knows what may be an issue. Gerry, I live in Tennessee. And even the proper ladies might have a problem if you're not cleaning your guns right.

April 1, 2012, 08:04 PM	#5
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	I have cleaned my guns at my reloading bench for 40+ years. Not a problem.

April 1, 2012, 08:14 PM	#6
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	Good question, I was actually wondering that myself. jproaster, I'm from Arkansas and its about the same here. Bring ya a glass of tea and if they see something out of sorts would clean it right for you.

April 1, 2012, 10:00 PM	#9
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,650	My standard place to clean guns is my bench. My bench is used for reloading/cleaning/modeling/etc.... . Never entered my mind that there could be a 'problem'.... and as far as I can see there isn't . __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

April 1, 2012, 10:18 PM	#10
jproaster Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 239	Thanks for the reply all. A couple days from now ( two more spar varnish coats) and I'll be reloading and have a proper place to clean my guns. john

April 2, 2012, 07:43 PM	#11
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Just try not to spill Hoppe's #9 on your primers. Seriously, I do nothing but reload at my reloading bench. Otherwise, I would have presses, dies, trimmers, scales, measures, cartridge trays, case lube trays, shellholders, priming tools, calipers, and micrometers,etc., clobbered up with rods, brushes, mops, plugs, solvent, oil, grease, patches, and rags, etc. And I couldn't get a rifle cleaning cradle on my bench without removing all the bolted stuff, and if could, I couldn't easily get at breech or muzzle for rod work. My best setup for cleaning is a 4x6 piece of 3/4 inch ply on sawhorses in the middle of the garage,with a plastic tray for tools and one for solvents and patches, arranged so I can walk completely around it.

April 3, 2012, 11:42 AM	#14
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Even though I am somewhat organized. There just isnt room on my reloading bench for rifle cleaning. I have a bench that is dedicated to gunsmithing work.

April 3, 2012, 12:30 PM	#16
jproaster Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 239	I want to say thank you to each for the contribution. Things like not using an aerosol around clean brass didn't even occur to me. There is so much to learn. I might get creative and build a rifle stand that juts out from the cabinet for use and recedes when not. Again thanks. Your contributions help in my unique circumstances. john