How bad is it to clean BP from a New Vaquero?

Poindexter · May 5, 2013, 08:12 PM

I got bit by the black powder bug, pretty hard.

I have been running black powder only in Redhawk for a few weeks now. The Redhawk has been apart a few times, getting a Q tip in between the transfer bar and the cylinder lock and so on is pretty easy.

I have a New Vaquero I am thinking about bringing to the party, it hasn't lit a single round of Holy Black just yet, and the grip has never been unscrewed from the frame.

If I start running in it, I am pretty well going to have to take the grip off to get at the action bits inside there, yes? Should I order a replacement set of screws now for when I wear the first set out? Should I order two or three sets of screws? torque spec? I don't see one in the manual from Ruger - but I might have overlooked it.

Thanks

leo96150 · May 5, 2013, 10:39 PM

I shoot APP in my .357 stainless Vaqueros. All I do is to clean the barrel, cylinder, and exterior with hot soapy water. To clean the hammer/transfer bar/hand area I just flush with Balistol. When I finally took it apart to put in softer springs, it was spotless inside. I don't think I'd do any different if they were blued. I average 2 to 3 SASS matches a month.

darkgael · May 6, 2013, 05:58 AM

I have shot a lot of BP in my .45 Colt New Vaquero. Take out the cylinder when done. Wash the frame/ barrel in warm, soapy water. Wash the cylinder.
Then I flush with pure alcohol and wipe the thing dry. (could also use WaterDisplacement-40). Oil. Reassemble.
Been some years now. No corrosion.
Pete

bedbugbilly · May 6, 2013, 07:26 AM

I've never shot BP in my NV but am very familiar with cleaning it. I guess I would ask this question . . . . "To what extent were the original SAA revolvers cleaned?"

They certainly weren't torn down all the way after being shot. They were "working tools" that when shot, were cleaned but I doubt if they received cleaning to the extent that we do today - they sure didn't have all of the fancy goops, sauces, solutions and oils that we have today.

I would think that if you remove the cylinder like you would if you were shooting any ammo in it, clean the bore, chambers, inner/outer frame and flush the hammer, crossbar, etc with whatever you usually use for BP clean up (I usually just use hot soapy water and then rinse for my BP guns - (there are other great suggestios as well such as windex, solutions you can mix up, etc. - do a search on here in regards to cleaning) and then thorough dry everything followed by oiling, that you'd be fine. The one area that I'd keep an eye on would be the ejector rod to make sure that area was completely cleaned. Then oil it down good.

**4V50 Gary** · May 6, 2013, 07:30 AM

From Ruger, how to disassemble the Ruger SA Revolver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfOXBa8K8Ow

Note: The video does not show how to reassemble it. Watch it thoroughly and note the location of parts before you remove them.

Boomer58cal · May 6, 2013, 04:41 PM

I've been shooting BP through my black/red hawks for years. Clean with soap and water. Rinse with alcohol. Done.

Hawg · May 6, 2013, 04:47 PM

Remove the grips and cylinder and drop all the metal in hot soapy water. Run a couple of patches thru the bore and chambers. Shake parts well and spray with a liberal amount of WD-40 to displace water. Follow with lube of your choice. Reassemble.

eastbank · May 9, 2013, 04:55 PM

my ruger old army,s are easy to clean,i take the grips off,remove the cylinder and put it in a large plastic square pan thats 4" deep. with very hot soapy water and let it soak for 15 minutes. then take a nylon brush to the barrel and cylinder and then back in the pan with new hot water and swish it around then under the hot water tap in the garage,shake out excess water and put it on a small hot plate at 150 degrees when dry,spray inside and out with wd40,wipe off and good to go. while its soaking i put my shooting gear and supplies away,so its a short job. eastbank.

Rifleman1776 · May 10, 2013, 08:39 AM

What HH said. He always beats me to it.

His advice is spot on.

jlb43 · May 10, 2013, 05:16 PM

I know a guy that shoots cowboy action on horseback almost every weekend. He tells me he takes the grips off and removes the cylinder and puts the frame and cylinder in a dishwasher. When done he blows it off with compressed air and hoses it down with WD-40. Don't know what his wife thinks of it though.

May 5, 2013, 08:12 PM	#1
Poindexter Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2009 Location: Interior Alaska Posts: 154	How bad is it to clean BP from a New Vaquero? I got bit by the black powder bug, pretty hard. I have been running black powder only in Redhawk for a few weeks now. The Redhawk has been apart a few times, getting a Q tip in between the transfer bar and the cylinder lock and so on is pretty easy. I have a New Vaquero I am thinking about bringing to the party, it hasn't lit a single round of Holy Black just yet, and the grip has never been unscrewed from the frame. If I start running in it, I am pretty well going to have to take the grip off to get at the action bits inside there, yes? Should I order a replacement set of screws now for when I wear the first set out? Should I order two or three sets of screws? torque spec? I don't see one in the manual from Ruger - but I might have overlooked it. Thanks

May 6, 2013, 05:58 AM	#3
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	BP I have shot a lot of BP in my .45 Colt New Vaquero. Take out the cylinder when done. Wash the frame/ barrel in warm, soapy water. Wash the cylinder. Then I flush with pure alcohol and wipe the thing dry. (could also use WaterDisplacement-40). Oil. Reassemble. Been some years now. No corrosion. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

May 6, 2013, 07:26 AM	#4
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I've never shot BP in my NV but am very familiar with cleaning it. I guess I would ask this question . . . . "To what extent were the original SAA revolvers cleaned?" They certainly weren't torn down all the way after being shot. They were "working tools" that when shot, were cleaned but I doubt if they received cleaning to the extent that we do today - they sure didn't have all of the fancy goops, sauces, solutions and oils that we have today. I would think that if you remove the cylinder like you would if you were shooting any ammo in it, clean the bore, chambers, inner/outer frame and flush the hammer, crossbar, etc with whatever you usually use for BP clean up (I usually just use hot soapy water and then rinse for my BP guns - (there are other great suggestios as well such as windex, solutions you can mix up, etc. - do a search on here in regards to cleaning) and then thorough dry everything followed by oiling, that you'd be fine. The one area that I'd keep an eye on would be the ejector rod to make sure that area was completely cleaned. Then oil it down good. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

May 6, 2013, 07:30 AM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Want to clean it thoroughly? From Ruger, how to disassemble the Ruger SA Revolver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfOXBa8K8Ow Note: The video does not show how to reassemble it. Watch it thoroughly and note the location of parts before you remove them. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!* Last edited by 4V50 Gary; May 6, 2013 at 07:57 AM. Reason: insert note

May 6, 2013, 04:41 PM	#6
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	I've been shooting BP through my black/red hawks for years. Clean with soap and water. Rinse with alcohol. Done. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

May 5, 2013, 10:39 PM	#2
leo96150 Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 32	I shoot APP in my .357 stainless Vaqueros. All I do is to clean the barrel, cylinder, and exterior with hot soapy water. To clean the hammer/transfer bar/hand area I just flush with Balistol. When I finally took it apart to put in softer springs, it was spotless inside. I don't think I'd do any different if they were blued. I average 2 to 3 SASS matches a month.

May 6, 2013, 04:47 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Remove the grips and cylinder and drop all the metal in hot soapy water. Run a couple of patches thru the bore and chambers. Shake parts well and spray with a liberal amount of WD-40 to displace water. Follow with lube of your choice. Reassemble.

May 9, 2013, 04:55 PM	#8
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	my ruger old army,s are easy to clean,i take the grips off,remove the cylinder and put it in a large plastic square pan thats 4" deep. with very hot soapy water and let it soak for 15 minutes. then take a nylon brush to the barrel and cylinder and then back in the pan with new hot water and swish it around then under the hot water tap in the garage,shake out excess water and put it on a small hot plate at 150 degrees when dry,spray inside and out with wd40,wipe off and good to go. while its soaking i put my shooting gear and supplies away,so its a short job. eastbank.

May 10, 2013, 08:39 AM	#9
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	What HH said. He always beats me to it. His advice is spot on.

May 10, 2013, 05:16 PM	#10
jlb43 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 128	I know a guy that shoots cowboy action on horseback almost every weekend. He tells me he takes the grips off and removes the cylinder and puts the frame and cylinder in a dishwasher. When done he blows it off with compressed air and hoses it down with WD-40. Don't know what his wife thinks of it though. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson . --