Hornady Lock-N-Load Ultrasonic Gun Parts Cleaner

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10-09-2013, 13:26
Bailey Guns

Hornady Lock-N-Load Ultrasonic Gun Parts Cleaner

I got an email from Cabela's on Mon. One of the special sale items was the 4L, all stainless, ultrasonic parts cleaner for $159 (Reg $299). I had a LOT of Cabela's Bucks so, on a whim, I ordered one and wound up paying about $20 out of pocket for this.

Ordered the cleaning solution from another source and it all arrived today.

I read the directions, filled the tank with water and solution mixture, threw a dirty Glock into the basket, set the temp for 120 degs and the timer for 20 minutes. After 20 mins I unplugged the cleaner, lifted the basket of gun parts out, rinsed them off, blew them dry with air and inspected.

Absolutely spotless. I used a white patch and wiped the insides of the gun everywhere I could reach and got nothing visible off the surface. I ran a boresnake through the barrel once or twice, lubed the gun and reassembled it.

I've got another Glock in the tank now...it's even dirtier. I'm using the same solution I used with the first gun. We'll see what happens.

But, first impressions are this thing (despite being made in China...what isn't any more?) is a pretty nice piece of equipment, especially for the price. I wouldn't pay the regular price for sure. But for the bargain price I paid and the lowered out-of-pocket cost of using my Cabela's Bucks, I'm glad I got it.

UPDATE: Decided to update before posting.

The second Glock was much dirtier than the first. It came out almost as clean. I needed to wipe a little residue off the trigger bar and hit the face of the chamber with a brush and wipe it down. There was also a stubborn chunk embedded on the extractor claw that easily came off with a pick.

Wiped it down, boresnake through the barrel, lube, assemble, good to go.

If this thing works as well on all handguns as it does the first two Glocks, it's a keeper.

Next up...a crudded up AR BCG.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps135bb565.jpg
10-09-2013, 14:32
Great-Kazoo

I have the same unit, Only from Harbor Freight [ $49.] been in use 4 yrs. Works decent on suppressed guns & parts. I like the less elbow grease approach when it comes to cleaning firearms, sure you will too.
10-09-2013, 14:56
brutal

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim

I have the same unit, Only from Harbor Freight [ $49.] been in use 4 yrs. Works decent on suppressed guns & parts. I like the less elbow grease approach when it comes to cleaning firearms, sure you will too.

So Hornady slaps a sticker on a $20 cleaner and lists it at $299?

[LOL]

This begs the question, is this an option for cleaning a sealed can? In particular, AAC 762SDN-6.
10-09-2013, 15:02
mtnrider

Harbor Freight's current unit is $82 and is the exact same thing as the Lyman version.
10-09-2013, 16:31
Bailey Guns

Yep...the new version is digital and it stickers at $299, too. Like I said...I wouldn't pay that. But I can't use Cabela's Bucks at HF. I knew buying all that ammo would pay off.
10-09-2013, 16:50
Great-Kazoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

Yep...the new version is digital and it stickers at $299, too. Like I said...I wouldn't pay that. But I can't use Cabela's Bucks at HF. I knew buying all that ammo would pay off.

Who can fault anyone for trying to save a few $ $ $ $ $$
10-09-2013, 17:02
KS63

So what cleaning solution are you guys using? I was mulling over these cleaners for awhile now and never truly believed the glowing reviews they get. If you guys say it works and doesn't matter if it's made in China, I'll buy a cheap Harbor Freight one. If it doesn't live up to my expectations, I'll sell it here first.
10-09-2013, 17:22
Bailey Guns

I got a bottle of the Hornady solution from Amazon...used AmEx points there!

Hornady makes a brass cleaning solution and a gun parts cleaning solution. I got the gun parts solution. It comes in a 32oz bottle and I only used about 1/2 oz. I don't know how any of the other stuff works...this is the first time I've used one of these.
10-09-2013, 19:07
Great-Kazoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by KS63

So what cleaning solution are you guys using? I was mulling over these cleaners for awhile now and never truly believed the glowing reviews they get. If you guys say it works and doesn't matter if it's made in China, I'll buy a cheap Harbor Freight one. If it doesn't live up to my expectations, I'll sell it here first.

Tide liquid detergent, 1-2 tablespoons to 1gal H2O, Adjust mixture as necessary.
10-09-2013, 20:19
Bailey Guns

I can say there's a layer of black sludge on the bottom of this thing after cleaning two guns. It works well.
10-09-2013, 20:45
RonMexico

I use Lyman's cleaning solution but I heard simple green works well.
10-09-2013, 21:35
KS63

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim

Tide liquid detergent, 1-2 tablespoons to 1gal H2O, Adjust mixture as necessary.

I've mixed up a home brew of hot water, dish soap, vinegar and some salt. Works decent enough in a bucket. Figure is give that a shot first before trying any of the marketed cleaners ($$$)
10-09-2013, 22:47
mb504

Any idea how it compares to this? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/817...e-cleaner-110v

Quote:

The Hornady Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner takes sonic cleaning to the next level. The Hot Tube features 9 liter (2.3 Gallon) capacity that when combined with its size is able to accommodate and clean a complete 16" AR-15 upper receiver. This is the perfect way to quickly and easily clean a dirty upper receiver after a long day at the range, shooting a 3-gun match or a long day of slide firing a few magazines down range. The Hot Tube has four transducers and a heating element that enhances cleaning action which is very important when cleaning gun parts. When combined with One Shot Sonic Clean Cleaning Solution the microjet action of the Hot Tub removes built up carbon residue and other debris from gun parts, cartridge cases and anything that will fit in the tank.
10-09-2013, 23:26
Great-Kazoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb504

Any idea how it compares to this? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/817...e-cleaner-110v

Weigh how many guns you feel need showroom cleaning , by hand vs. using a sonic unit. $450 buys a lot of Hoppes , patches and lube. Is the time saved cleaning worth the money spent?
10-09-2013, 23:33
DangerLee_Industries

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnrider

Harbor Freight's current unit is $82 and is the exact same thing as the Lyman version.

62.24 with coupon code - (65149244) before tax and 6.99 shipping if you don't live near one... http://www.harborfreight.com/25-lite...ner-95563.html
10-09-2013, 23:38
Irving

No before and after pictures by chance? Heck, I'd like a picture of the sludge.
10-09-2013, 23:42
mb504

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim

Weigh how many guns you feel need showroom cleaning , by hand vs. using a sonic unit. $450 buys a lot of Hoppes , patches and lube. Is the time saved cleaning worth the money spent?

I guess I look at it and think about the brass and auto parts I would put in something that size.
10-10-2013, 04:12
Bailey Guns

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irving

No before and after pictures by chance? Heck, I'd like a picture of the sludge.

I'll do it next time. I'm gonna try a 1911 or two and some AR BCGs in the next week or two.
10-10-2013, 07:51
Great-Kazoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irving

No before and after pictures by chance? Heck, I'd like a picture of the sludge.

It's more particles of dirt than sludge, Unless you say screw this and dump a residue laden gun in the cleaner.
10-10-2013, 08:23
Bailey Guns

In this one, it was actually a thin layer of black residue coating the bottom of the pan with some particles mixed in (not like a thick layer of mud or anything...sludge may have been an overstatement). The consistency may be due to the cleaning solution. It feels a bit oily and does leave a slick residue on the gun surface...I think maybe for water displacement. The residue isn't visible, it's like a clear oil coating.

Both guns were pretty dirty.
10-10-2013, 08:31
Bailey Guns

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb504

Any idea how it compares to this? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/817...e-cleaner-110v

The one I got works the same way, only smaller. It's a high-quality looking unit. Very solid, all stainless steel, very nice mesh wire basket to hold small parts in the tank. The only plastic on the one I bought are the dials for timer and temp adjustment. It probably weighs 6 or 8 pounds and holds 4 liters of liquid.

It's this model: HORNADY LNL MAGNUM

It has two transducers and you can see stuff kinda vibrating off the gun parts as it cleans. A small cloud of debris will form around the really dirty areas. It's kinda mesmerizing to watch the first time! [Whacko]
10-10-2013, 08:46
Bailey Guns

BTW: The Hornady cleaning solution is outrageously priced at Cabela's at $60 for 32oz. You can buy it on Amazon for around $22. You only use .5 to 1 ounce each time you mix the cleaning solution and you can keep the solution in the tank and use it for several gun cleanings. I saw an estimate somewhere when researching this thing that a 32oz bottle is good for around 600 or so cleanings. So it's pretty cost effective.

I have a wholesaler that sells the 32oz bottles for $16. I'll continue to use that since it's formulated for guns and appears to displace the water very well.
10-13-2013, 20:28
KS63

I just bought the last unit Harbor Freight had in stock at the Aurora location. $69 with coupon. Used dishwashing soap, vinegar(what very little I had left) and a Tbl spoon of salt. I preheated the water and set the timer for 260sec. Not too shabby. I think I'll use more vinegar next time. Mine came with a plastic tray which others have said metal to metal contact can scratch the finish on parts.
10-14-2013, 02:07
Bailey Guns

What does the vinegar and salt do for the cleaning solution?
10-14-2013, 02:16
Fentonite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

What does the vinegar and salt do for the cleaning solution?

Makes it taste good!
http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/z...eac0fa1513.jpg
[LOL]
10-14-2013, 07:14
KS63

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

What does the vinegar and salt do for the cleaning solution?

They say that vinegar brings the acid that aggressively removes the carbon.
10-15-2013, 09:10
Bailey Guns

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fentonite

Makes it taste good!
http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/z...eac0fa1513.jpg
[LOL]

Now THAT makes sense! I LOVE those things. The cleaning pan on the ultrasonic cleaner would hold a lot of chips, too.
09-04-2014, 11:47
Joe Manco

Don't use the regular simple green or they Lyman solution on any aluminum parts. The Hornady solution is suppose to be safe on aluminum. I use the simple green "Pro" (it's blue) get it at Home Depot by the gallon.
09-05-2014, 21:29
Duman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

What does the vinegar and salt do for the cleaning solution?

Isn't that the recipe for a douche ?
02-07-2016, 14:51
funkymonkey1111

For those using sonic cleaners, how are they on leaded barrels?