ultrasonic cleaners?

[Onlyincali]

What do you guys think about using ultrasonic cleaners for pistols? I was amazed at how cheap they are and figure I might actually SAVE money on solvents. I found the cleaners for $20-$100. They work on jewelry so I figure they cant harm a gun...right? Are they strong enough for barrel gunk?

[Thorax]

You're better off getting an all stainless model with heat.
Figure 200 minimum....more like 250 if you want to just strip the pistol and do it in one shot.

They clean superbly, I mean they absolutely rock.....but don't chintz out and start off with an inferior product (just like with a gun) get a good one.

Buy once, cry once.

[44fred]

Please be specific about the cleaners. I'm starting to look into the cleaners as well. I picked up a sonic cleaner a while back but haven't used it for gun parts yet (haven't shot much lately).

[cowboy777]

Get the Hornady Hot Tub!!!

[dpop24]

I have the Lyman and use it for stainless parts. I accidentally used the wrong cleaner on some blued parts and stripped the bluing off! What are you guys using for cleaning solution on blued guns and parts?

[5ZS]

Guns's do not have to be squeaky clean like that.

I advice against using it on slides becasue you just do not know if you have completely dried the part where your sights and slide come together. So, that part will be susceptible to rust. Example: http://www.tacti-cool.com/gunsmithin...smith-wesson-s

[Onlyincali]

interesting. Never thought of the rust issues

[punisheryayarea]

Guns's do not have to be squeaky clean like that.

I advise against using it on slides becasue you just do not know if you have completely dried the part where your sights and slide come together. So, that part will be susceptible to rust. Example: http://www.tacti-cool.com/gunsmithin...smith-wesson-s

This is why you break down the slide completely before giving it the bath. Just make sure you lube with a 3in1 like slip2000 ect. after its done. Giving it the bath will strip all protectants you may have put on thus making it susceptible to rust.

[LCU1670]

I have used mine for years. I use a little dishwashing soap in mine (heat on, degas), then when all guns done, drain it and refill it with ultrasonic oil from brownells and redo all weapons, drip dry and reassemble.

[geeknow]

"you get what you pay for" is also true with ultrasonic cleaners. what makes a good ultrasonic cleaner is the transducer (the doo-hickey that causes the vibrations). The good ultrasonic cleaners have a sufficiently powerful transducer to provide for equal distribution of the vibrations throughout the tank. The cheapos have a small transducer that only works when the parts you're cleaning are situated directly above it.

a decent ultrasonic tank for pistols will run you ~800, for rifles ~1500.

[Speedpower]

I use WD40 with my Ultrasonic cleaner, it cleans the gun good and don't have to worry about rust

[boltstop]

Be careful with sights. The ultrasonic will remove the dots which is especially annoying if they are night sights.

[Sunday]

Guns don't have to be that clean. Messing with a gun to much is akin to masturbating.

[geoint]

I had never seriously considered an ultrasonic cleaner til I got my suppressors. It is unbelievable how much crap gets pushed out of a barrel (and onto the baffles) when you shoot suppressed. I spent almost 3 hours cleaning my Octane 9 HD 2 last time I took it out (almost all of that time devoted to the baffles), and that was only like with 100 rounds through it.


*Obviously I cant take my cans to California. Im leaving all my non-CA friendly items in Arizona in a big fat safe. Considering that I wont need to clean my cans in CA, I probably wont buy a sonic cleaner. If I make enough trips to Arizona to play with my 'big boy toys' then I might buy one and leave it in the safe over there.

[five.five-six]

This is why you break down the slide completely before giving it the bath. Just make sure you lube with a 3in1 like slip2000 ect. after its done. Giving it the bath will strip all protectants you may have put on thus making it susceptible to rust.

That's not the only reason. It's questionable if having the parts of your gun in contact with each other while they are vibrating at an ultrasonic rate for extended periods of time.