Stubborn carbon ring in chamber.

Mike38 · December 28, 2019, 01:32 PM

This may be old news to some, but it's new to me, so thought I'd share. I shoot a lot of light loaded (~680fps) .32 S&W Long wadcutter in a semi automatic target pistol, a Benelli MP95. If the chamber is not clean, I mean really clean, it will give failures to extract / eject. Hoppe's No.9 just isn't doing the job at removing the carbon ring that quickly forms in the chamber. It feels like I'm spending more time with a bronze brush in the chamber than I am enjoying shooting. I did some searching on the internet and found on a couple benchrest forums where people were using GM Top Engine Carbon Cleaner to clean carbon rings out of chambers. Well, that particular product is no where to be found in my area. My local NAPA had this stuff called Seafoam Top Engine Cleaner & Lube, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I spray it on a Q-Tip, swab the chamber and let soak 5 minutes. Brush the .32 caliber chamber with a .35 caliber (9mm) bronze brush a few strokes, then repeat. Then clean the bore as I normally would. Chamber is very clean, and free from that stubborn carbon ring that builds up.

I can now shoot 100 rounds in a session without any failures of any kind. I do dry brush the chamber every 20-30 rounds during the shooting session, but that's no big deal. Shooting my .32 target pistol has become a pleasure again. I'm liking that.

I don't know if this is a problem with all wadcutter ammo, such as the .38 Scpl wadcutter in a S&W M52, but I'm sure this SeaFoam Top Engine Cleaner would work just as good there.

50 shooter · December 28, 2019, 01:59 PM

You can also try the Lewis lead remover system, most online stores carry it. Your local gun shop might carry it, call them and ask.

https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleani...prod21587.aspx

There's also another solvent made by Boretech called Rimfire Blend. https://www.boretech.com/products/rimfire-blend

HiBC · December 28, 2019, 11:00 PM

If Sea Foam is working for you,great! Thanks

Catman42 · January 2, 2020, 08:29 AM

you might try carboretor cleaner and a stiff gun bore brush.

December 28, 2019, 01:32 PM	#1
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	Stubborn carbon ring in chamber. This may be old news to some, but it's new to me, so thought I'd share. I shoot a lot of light loaded (~680fps) .32 S&W Long wadcutter in a semi automatic target pistol, a Benelli MP95. If the chamber is not clean, I mean really clean, it will give failures to extract / eject. Hoppe's No.9 just isn't doing the job at removing the carbon ring that quickly forms in the chamber. It feels like I'm spending more time with a bronze brush in the chamber than I am enjoying shooting. I did some searching on the internet and found on a couple benchrest forums where people were using GM Top Engine Carbon Cleaner to clean carbon rings out of chambers. Well, that particular product is no where to be found in my area. My local NAPA had this stuff called Seafoam Top Engine Cleaner & Lube, so I thought I'd give it a try. I spray it on a Q-Tip, swab the chamber and let soak 5 minutes. Brush the .32 caliber chamber with a .35 caliber (9mm) bronze brush a few strokes, then repeat. Then clean the bore as I normally would. Chamber is very clean, and free from that stubborn carbon ring that builds up. I can now shoot 100 rounds in a session without any failures of any kind. I do dry brush the chamber every 20-30 rounds during the shooting session, but that's no big deal. Shooting my .32 target pistol has become a pleasure again. I'm liking that. I don't know if this is a problem with all wadcutter ammo, such as the .38 Scpl wadcutter in a S&W M52, but I'm sure this SeaFoam Top Engine Cleaner would work just as good there.

December 28, 2019, 01:59 PM	#2
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	You can also try the Lewis lead remover system, most online stores carry it. Your local gun shop might carry it, call them and ask. https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleani...prod21587.aspx There's also another solvent made by Boretech called Rimfire Blend. https://www.boretech.com/products/rimfire-blend __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

December 28, 2019, 11:00 PM	#3
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	If Sea Foam is working for you,great! Thanks

January 2, 2020, 08:29 AM	#4
Catman42 Member Join Date: September 15, 2019 Posts: 78	you might try carboretor cleaner and a stiff gun bore brush.