Getting the lead out

[azgoldust]

I recently purchased a used 1911a1 45 auto for a good price with the idea
of working it over.
on home inspection I found that the barrel is badly leaded.
the barrel was originally parkerized inside and out, bad for leading.
on one of the other forums I had herd about a 50-50 mix of
white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide and I will give it a try.
Like to hear your thoughts.

 

[chipswarf]

I have not dealt with a parkerized bore, but otherwise had good results using Ed's Red ( http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=9 ) to soak the bore and following with a jag covered with soft patching and a small square of aluminum window screening. You'll want a reduced diameter jag, of course, and can fit the assembly to the bore by using a number of patches. The aluminum is much softer than the brass screens of the old Lewis Lead Remover, so it conforms quite well to the rifled bore when backed by the soft patching. Give it all a good wetting with Ed's Red.

It's best to hold the barrel with a soft jawed vise and work from the chamber end. Push or tap the rod through.

My understanding is that the oxides forming on clean aluminum surfaces are amorphous, not crystalline, and do not share the abrasive properties of the crystalline form. Search the Cast Boolits forum ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php ) for more discussions.

Mark

 

[ScrapMetal]

I'm a fan of using the Lewis lead remover kit for heavy leading - http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleani...ead-remover/lewis-lead-remover-prod21587.aspx

It's what I've used for all my "cowboy" type guns where I'm flinging nothin' but lead.

-Ron

 

[azgoldust]

Well I guess there is no hope for this barrel ever shooting lead bullets again.
After the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide treatment, the barrel started showing
pits on the outside of the bbl. on looking closer it looks like the bbl was made using the investment
casting method, the mild solution started to remove the softer metals in the casting mix.
the piece of 4340 steel in another test showed no effects at all.
so its off to the barrel store. to get a new barrel for my Rock Island 1911 A1.
Thank you all for the replys
AZ

 

[swampdoctor]

Waaay baaack when we could still find thermostats with mercury in them from old mobile homes, we just plugged both ends of a barrel with some mercury inside. Sloshed it back and forth several times and let it stand over night. In the morning a tight fitting bronze brush got out most of the lead in a couple of passes. I have always had my doubts about the extreme toxicity of mercury. But be carefull anyway.

 

[Gman45acp]

I use a Lewis lead remover and they work great, They will remove all the lead and time spent will only bea few minutes, Forget the solvent mess and get a lewis

 

[firebricker]

The Eds Red home made solvent works very well. As does the other methods mentioned but I would also recommend getting some copper chore boy dish pads (make sure they are copper not plated steel) cut some off and wrap around a regular bore brush. Another reason I like Eds Red is I mix it by the gallon and store in mason jars so you can field strip your pistol and soak the whole barrel. One warnings with E.R. do not store it in plastic it will take awhile but will it through plastic.

Eds Red- equal parts lamp grade kerosine, ATF fluid, acetone and mineral spirits. FB

 

[owl]

Just as another option, Google "electrochemical bore cleaner". Trivial to build, and might help.

 

[ScrapMetal]

Just as another option, Google "electrochemical bore cleaner". Trivial to build, and might help.

That's a good point. For many years I used an Outer's Foul-out system that worked very well. I think I either need to resurrect the old system or buy a new one....

Here's what the latest version looks like:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/243419/outers-foul-out-3-bore-cleaning-system

-Ron

 

[tpic402]

I have used a smaller than caliber jag with a patch on it and some "chore boy" copper scouring pad cut up on the end of it. Got the idea fro the lewis lead removal kit.