Cleaning Handguns with Ultrasonic Cleaner?

ZIG · Sep 25, 2018

Hey guys. I do clean my handguns every time I come back from range. Cannot say I enjoy the whole cleaning process much. I have a small ultrasonic cleaner which does amazing job cleaning my wife's jewelry and glasses. So I think it might be viable to clean handguns, at least the slides, barrels and the guide rods using ultrasonic cleaners. Of course you still have to dry the parts and apply CLP. I checked youtube and some folks have been doing it.
Anyone here has first hand experience? Or do you like the idea?

Dawico · Sep 25, 2018

I have done it to small parts and stripped slides.

Works okay but I don't have any of the fancy cleaning solution either.

I found it easier to quit cleaning them besides a good wipe down. Of course I only own guns that will run dirty too.

ZIG · Sep 25, 2018

Actually the guy i saw on Youtube just cleaned with water. Too risky. Maybe I should learn to enjoy cleaning my guns.

Dawico said:
I have done it to small parts and stripped slides.

Works okay but I don't have any of the fancy cleaning solution either.

I found it easier to quit cleaning them besides a good wipe down. Of course I only own guns that will run dirty too.

robertc1024 · Sep 25, 2018

I've done it. But, be very, very careful about the solution you use in your ultrasonic. I completely stripped the bluing off of a black powder revolver cylinder. At least it cleaned the snot out of it.

ZIG · Sep 25, 2018

This is a scary one. I just just load my google account with more good movies and do the gold old school cleaning

robertc1024 said:
I've done it. But, be very, very careful about the solution you use in your ultrasonic. I completely stripped the bluing off of a black powder revolver cylinder. At least it cleaned the snot out of it.

IXLR8 · Sep 25, 2018

robertc1024 said:
I've done it. But, be very, very careful about the solution you use in your ultrasonic. I completely stripped the bluing off of a black powder revolver cylinder. At least it cleaned the snot out of it.

This.

Cleaning guns is very relaxing for me. But I do it the good old fashioned way. Except I prefer properly applied Frog Lube to CLP.

lightflyer1 · Sep 25, 2018

I don't mind cleaning one or two, but all of them gets to be a bit much. I used to take a huge assortment out with me. Not any more. I limit myself to three now. Now maybe after I retire in a few years and need something to do.

Shotgun Jeremy · Sep 25, 2018

Hornady sells ultrasonic cleaners and has mixes specifically for guns and brass.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

SQLGeek · Sep 25, 2018

Shotgun Jeremy said:
Hornady sells ultrasonic cleaners and has mixes specifically for guns and brass.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

And the mix for guns should have a protectant in it so it's not like you're stripping it to bare metal.

Shotgun Jeremy · Sep 26, 2018

I use that mix on carbs with overwhelming success. I've tried other mixes with horrifying results, but the hornady gun cleaning mix usually works for me.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

OLDVET · Sep 26, 2018

I would be leery. I would be afraid the ultra sound might find a nick or scratch where the finish has been compromised and lift the remaining finish.
I take five or six firearms with me to the range each trip. It usually takes me a week to clean them all once I get back home. One or two a night is not a big deal, especially if they are a Glock or CZ.
It takes about 10 minutes to field strip and clean each of those firearms.
My 1911s are another matter.
I don't take them completely apart for cleaning, but pretty close. Of course we are talking about firearms that are far more expensive than the Glocks or CZs.
I go by the theory, "if it ain't broke - don't fix it".
People have used solvent and cloth to clean firearms for centuries.

PRE-K · Sep 26, 2018

I bought a Branson specifically for cleaning guns... I only wish I'd bought one a little larger!

Like others mentioned, use a gun-specific solution and there is nothing to worry about. If you're concerned about a particularly valuable piece, clean it the standard way, then run it through the ultrasonic with a finishing/lubricating solution.

And yes, the solutions are pricey...

Jwr1221 · Sep 26, 2018

I have a HarborFreight ultrasonic cleaner that I use occasionally... I use a mix of water and MPro7 and it works well... At least to get most of the gunk off. I still do a lot of the "detail" work with regular hoppe's / Gunzilla / MPro7 and patches or swabs. Maybe every 5 range trips or so I'll detail strip the slide and drop it in for a few short cycles. Also comes in handy for AR BCG's.
Afterwards I blow it dry with compressed air (after removing any remaining gunk) and then drop it into a container of diluted MotorKote since the ultrasonic makes it come out bone dry. Then wipe it down good and it's good to go.

PRE-K · Sep 26, 2018

Like Jwr1221 said, compressed air...

Couldn't live without it, for cleaning guns and a million other things.

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