Soaking barrel in CLP

[robertcolorado2009]

I have a S&W 40 M&P Shield. A friend of mine gave me a bunch of his extra reloads he made. I have probably put about 200+ of these thru this gun. I have noticed build up between the lands of the rifling. I have tried just wetting it with CLP then using a brush to clean that gunk out. I got most of it, but then I went out again and noticed the build up again. I want to soak just the barrel in CLP for a few hours or longer. Will this affect it negatively in any way. I have tried bore snake, brushes but never a long soak. I have a feeling he used some crappy powder that leaves a lot of residue. I have about 150 rounds left. I really don't want to use it if you guys think that's the cause of this build up. BTW-It smokes quite a bit when firing. I need some help with this problem.

[JMBD2112]

Are they lead bullets?

[robertcolorado2009]

Yes.

[Bailey Guns]

You won't hurt your barrel by soaking it in CLP. Then again, it probably isn't strong enough to take care of the problem, either.

You're probably seeing lead...not powder residue. Try a stronger solvent like Sweet's 7.62 or other copper/lead solvent and a LOT of brushing. That's probably the only way to get it out.

Or, clean it normally and don't worry too much about a little residue. As long as you're maintaining the gun and cleaning it normally a little left over residue isn't going to hurt anything.

[Mazin]

Copper cutter and elbow grease


Sent from my Otterbox Defended Tactical iPhone using High Capacity "Clips".

[robertcolorado2009]

Thanks for the response BG. That makes sense and I do clean it after every outing. I can probably use the rest of that ammo as long as I maintained the cleaning, rather than disposing of it. Thanks guys!

[rboyes]

Lewis Lead Remover. Works wonders at removing lead. And your pistol smokes a lot when firing because the bullets are lead. Just the nature of the beast.
http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/patches-mops/lead-remover/lewis-lead-remover-prod21587.aspx

[10mm-man]

Thanks guys!

No problem! Anytime.....

[BPTactical]

Carl (Bailey Guns) nailed it. While CLP is ok in a pinch you need a dedicated bore cleaner such as Sweets, Shooters Choice, Tetra or M Pro7. On a badly fouled barrel soak time is more important than scrubbing the hell out of it.
Try this: get the bore good and wet with a quality bore solvent and put the barrel in a zip lock bag and walk away for an hour or so. Pass a wet patch through it and you will be amazed how easily the fouling comes out. Repeat as needed but use a brush sparingly. Your barrel will thank you for it.
Around my shop the only thing CLP is used for is a "Armor All" type treatment. It is great in that capacity but a crummy cleaner and lubricant.

[robertcolorado2009]

Golden, that's what I am going to do, BP Tactical. That's sort of what I was envisioning, just still new to a lot of nuts and bolts issues.

[Bailey Guns]

If you ever get up this way I have an unopened bottle of a good copper/lead solvent I'll give you.

[KestrelBike]

Nice tips in this thread!!

[JMBD2112]

Not to familiar with the shield, but is it a polygonal barrel? I thought you weren't supposed to shoot lead through a poloygonal barrel? Might want to check your manual, My HK's say its a No No

[Rabid]

Not to familiar with the shield, but is it a polygonal barrel? I thought you weren't supposed to shoot lead through a poloygonal barrel? Might want to check your manual, My HK's say its a No No
The lead build up creates higher pressures and can cause a kaboom. I know a few people that shoot lead through polygonal barrels but clean the lead out after every shooting session and when i shot hardcast out of a 10mm glock there was very little leading. A friend of mine pushes copper scouring pads covered in JB bore compound through the barrel with a jag to clean out leading. It works pretty well but still takes some effort.

[Gman]

I learned about the copper pad stuff from reading up on some old-school shooters. I use a small section cut from a copper Chore Boy pad (which can be pulled apart into large flat sections) and wrap it around the bronze brush. Does a great job of scraping out the lead, but it's copper, so it doesn't put a lot of wear on the bore.

[BPTactical]

A friend of mine pushes copper scouring pads covered in JB bore compound through the barrel with a jag to clean out leading. It works pretty well but still takes some effort.

Yikes! Ok on the copper wool but ixnay on the JB. All he is doing is wearing out the barrel.
Would you use lapping compound to clean your bore? That's all the JB is albeit a very fine grit.
We want to keep abrasives out of our bores whenever possible. Have him use a good lead removing solution or brass cloth.

[Rabid]

Yikes! Ok on the copper wool but ixnay on the JB. All he is doing is wearing out the barrel.
Would you use lapping compound to clean your bore? That's all the JB is albeit a very fine grit.
We want to keep abrasives out of our bores whenever possible. Have him use a good lead removing solution or brass cloth.
I will pass that info along. If i remember right it said on the label that it was for removing fouling, is it just snake oil then?

[BPTactical]

I will pass that info along. If i remember right it said on the label that it was for removing fouling, is it just snake oil then?

No, it will remove fouling, right along with barrel material. It is an abrasive paste and does not discriminate between carbon, lead, copper or steel.
Tetra or MPro7 will remove fouling even at the microscopic level if given time and kept wet. That's why you toss it in a zip lock bag and it will not harm metal.