How Much Cleaning After Using Corrosive Ammo?

[Subverto]

I just picked up a Yugo M57 TT Pistol and plan on only shooting corrosive ammo through it since it's cheap. I understand that you want to clean the corrosive salts out of your barrel ASAP, but what other parts of the firearm should be cleaned ASAP? Should I bother taking out the firing pin and cleaning in there as well, or is that overkill? I ask because after shooting 140 rounds through the gun yesterday, it looks like residue got pretty much everywhere, including the tip of the firing pin. Thanks in advance!

[The_War_Wagon]

EVERY time it's fired

Buddy of mine discovered the hard way some 20 years ago, with a Polytech pre-ban AK, what happens when you don't clean after each range session. He paid about what he gave for it new, to have it parkerised/re-chromed, where the metal/barrel got pitted!

[Azzy]

Gas tube and barrel should get a Windex hosing at the range, does not hurt to spray the bolt down as well, get home, and proper clean. Hit it with some WD40 after the range (pre-home cleaning) to give a bit of time.

[PPM209]

Depending on the condition of the barrel, it's not too bad of an idea to run some cleaner through a few days later too. My clean barrel guns get clean real fast and stay clean...the pitted ones take longer to clean and I've found some growth after cleaning. I switched to a foam bore cleaner for the pitted guns and it worked great...no follow up needed.

[ScotsGuards]

I was taught clean three consecutive days after shooting with corrosive ammunition. Clean any place fouling can get as corrosive priming salts are part of fouling. I've also found the best and most inexpensive cleaner is common windshield washer fluid. I use it on all my BP arms, which I shoot quite a bit, and after corrosive priming, which I shoot very little. Windex works well also. Just be sure you dry and oil well after using.

[Willie D]

Pour hot water through barrel to wash out the salts, then clean and oil like you would any gun. Done.

[Azzy]

Anything with ammonia will neutralize the corrosive salts.

[Yellowfin]

So keep boiling hot water in a Thermos or two for the range trip?

[Willie D]

Boiling water is good because it evaporates quickly, any temp water will work.

The whole point of the exercise is to flush out the salts from the corrosive primers. Windex works because it's mostly water - and comes in a handy spray bottle. The ammonia isn't doing shit because salt has a neutral ph and so it can't be 'neutralized'. Any method that gets the salts out is fine but it's best not to be stingy (a patch of this or that won't cut it).