Barrel Soaker

SmokyJoe

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 3, 2011
655
78
Sonoma County, CA
Made a barrel soaker for 9mm and 45acp barrels in a block of solvent proof/resistant plastic. Works without wasting much Boretech or Patchout. Drill press, forstner bits and a chisel…voila! I need to make a cover and a base to keep it from tipping.
45830B24-DB16-46A8-8C71-6DEB35C7B019.jpeg
 
I have never cleaned a pistol barrel, do you shoot lead cast bullets only?
No lead, but get some stubborn carbon buildup in the chamber of the .45s. I don’t go for squeaky clean, but soak for an hour or two then push some patches through. That and a few passes with a nylon brush gets most of the carbon out of the grooves, 9mm or 45. Reloads with Vihtavuori don’t need cleaning, but lots of factory ammo seems to pile up the carbon.
 
Have you seen accuracy issues, because I haven't, that maybe because my pistol is handmade, and/or because it really doesn't matter shooting USPSA/3 gun/Steel Challenge