Revolver put away without proper cleaning

[gtivan]

So i got some BP revolvers from a friend's estate. All uberti. A pair of walker colts from 2021 and a 1861 Navy from the 1960's if i am reading the date code right. I found pyrodex and ISO in his BP supplies. He was a civil war rein-actor

The walkers were put away without a proper cleaning. Saw some rust in the cylinders. After some play i was able to get the barrell and cylinder out. Barrell is in good shape. Still have to acquire a nipple wrench to clean the cylinders.

So some pre-emptive questions for the group depending on how bad this gets.
1. I assume PB blaster is safe to use on BP revolvers? Loosen screws and get the rust. Scrubbing with either 0000 steel wool or brass brushes on the tough spots in the cylinder. Then follow up with normal BP cleaning process. Missing anything?
2. I have a couple of replacement cylinders, unknown manufacture or date. The label says they need to be taken to a gunsmith for fitting. True?
3. Anyone use a 45 Colt conversion cylinder? Kinda interested in some fat and slow projectiles. Probably use with black powder and not smokeless for those as well.

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[VinnieBoomBah]

2. I have a couple of replacement cylinders, unknown manufacture or date. The label says they need to be taken to a gunsmith for fitting. True?

Maybe. I have seen them drop in and others that needed so much work it wasn't worth it. Best suggestion is once you have everything clean try assembling them with the new cylinders and see how it goes

In your friends defense, when Pyrodex came out they did advertise it as not rusting guns the way real BP did, that was a lie but by the time some of us figured it out the damage was done

So sorry for your loss

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber...as well as KROIL will be helpful for the bore and rust removal.
Bronze wool...is helpful as well...won't harm the finish as could be done with steel wool...if you ain't careful.

Fitting of the cylinders can done at home...I have done so many times.
However....a gunsmith knowledgeable about percussion revolvers would be helpful...if you have never done this before.

Conversion cylinders.....
Meh....
While popular...I would suggest that if you want to shoot cartridges....buy and use a cartridge gun....not a conversion
That said....
You can use smokeless "Cowboy Action Loads" in these...as well as black powder loads.
Andy

Edit to add....
WIndex with ammonia can do wonders for a dirty bore...
Just be sure to dry...then oil the bore afterwards.

 

[DLS]

Windex is great when shooting corrosive ammo as well. Dry and oil after as Andy has detailed.

 

[gtivan]

Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber...as well as KROIL will be helpful for the bore and rust removal.
Bronze wool...is helpful as well...won't harm the finish as could be done with steel wool...if you ain't careful.

Fitting of the cylinders can done at home...I have done so many times.
However....a gunsmith knowledgeable about percussion revolvers would be helpful...if you have never done this before.

Conversion cylinders.....
Meh....
While popular...I would suggest that if you want to shoot cartridges....buy and use a cartridge gun....not a conversion
That said....
You can use smokeless "Cowboy Action Loads" in these...as well as black powder loads.
Andy

Edit to add....
WIndex with ammonia can do wonders for a dirty bore...
Just be sure to dry...then oil the bore afterwards.

As for the conversion cylinder. Be a year or so down the road if I go for it. Found some 45 colt ammo in the estate so that is the draw. A new revolver? Already downsized my collection by about 6 firearms last year and probably a couple more this winter. At 55 I would rather them go to family members who would shoot them rather than just sit in the safe. I imagine the black powder would see range time only a couple of times a year before I retire and have more fun. So more of a novelty item than anything else.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Windex is great when shooting corrosive ammo as well. Dry and oil after as Andy has detailed.

 

[ma96782]

How To Clean A Cap-And-Ball Revolver

View: https://youtu.be/ozFb6b3NhK4?si=30nSEwKFmxuRHT42


BTW......as a replacement for the Windex and water solution. HOT and SOAPY water and/or Ballistol (Moose Milk) could also do the job.

And......IF you're planning on reloading any brass cases that have been used in black powder loads..... I suggest that you place those used/empty cases (immediately after firing) into your favorite BP cleaning solution for a soak. Followed by a wet SS pin tumble cleaning when you get home.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Something to consider...

Once you get the revolver "clean" and operable....
Load and shoot it with black powder...then clean it with warm soapy water...dry , then oil...ASAP after shooting it.
This can work wonders on old neglected black powder firearms.
Andy

 

[titsonritz]

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[gtivan]

How To Clean A Cap-And-Ball Revolver

View: https://youtu.be/ozFb6b3NhK4?si=30nSEwKFmxuRHT42


BTW......as a replacement for the Windex and water solution. HOT and SOAPY water and/or Ballistol (Moose Milk) could also do the job.

And......IF you're planning on reloading any brass cases that have been used in black powder loads..... I suggest that you place those used/empty cases (immediately after firing) into your favorite BP cleaning solution for a soak. Followed by a wet SS pin tumble cleaning when you get home.

Aloha, Mark

What happens to brass if left with black powder?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

What happens to brass if left with black powder?

It takes on a nice dark / blackish patina....
I often use a patch that has been down a dirty bore and rub on brass to "age" it.
Andy

 

[DemonRat71]

Not sure if this works as I haven't tried it. I haven't seen it mention here that I recall. this was given to me by an old timer where I work a few days ago after I told him I was getting into black powder shooting. He said it's what he has been using for over 30 years and hasn't seen rust on any of his guns. He said he sprays it on right before he leaves the range and when he gets home he does a thorough cleaning on them.

It's 2 parts rubbing alcohol 2 parts Hydrogen peroxide and 1 part Murphy's Oil. Can anyone confirm this works on BP guns. when mixed together it's milky. I read about the Murphy's Mix as some have called it and the recipe differs on who you talk to and read about. Figured this would be a decent thread to ask about it.