using a tumbler to clean a suppressor

[Matt85]

so i recently bought a Lyman 1200 tumber for cleaning brass and i had an idea. would i be able to also clean my gemtech outback .22 suppressor in the tumbler? im currently using the Lyman green media and it doesnt seem too coarse but id hate to ruin my expensive toy. my suppressor gets dirty very fast and is extremely tough to clean out properly but it seems like the tumbler would do a pretty good job assuming it didnt hurt the suppressor.

thoughts?

thanks
-Matt

[pdawg_shooter]

I think an ultra-sonic cleaner would work well. Got mine from Harbor Freight. Took a neighbors nasty old 1911A1 that he hadn't cleaned in years, disassembled it, dropped it in the cleaner and covered it with mineral spirits. Set the cleaner for 360 seconds. Had to repeat the cycle once, but it came out CLEAN! A little grease in the pressure points, Break Free CLP every where else and the job was done. Took me longer to disassemble the 45 then it did to clean it.

[Matt85]

an ultra sonic cleaner isn't a bad idea but Im curious if the equipment I already have would work and if any one has used it for such a task? I suppose I can shoot an email to gemtech and ask them if it would be safe. it doesn't seem like it should hurt the suppressor but im not sure how soft the aluminum is.

-matt

[Matt85]

as an update, i contacted Gemtech and they said the tumbler wouldnt hurt the suppressor but they also said they have tried it before and it didnt work very well. i suppose ill give it a shot and see what happens.

-matt

[schutzen]

If you are going to clean a suppressor with an ultra-sonic cleaner, make sure you have no aluminum parts. An ultra-sonic cleaner can pit aluminum.

[Artful]

Generally vibratory tumblers don't do much at all.
Not enough force, generally the buildup is too dense/tough.
Some have tried brass or SS pins in rotary tumbler with good results.
http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=99718
http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71295

Ultrasonic cleaners can be an issue with damage to aluminum parts and finishes.
http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=109409

[Matt85]

using SS would worry me cause the baffles are aluminum but brass might not be as rough. any idea where to get some brass media?

thanks
-Matt

[eljefe]

I sell Tactical Solutions supressors, and they advise a soak in mineral
spirits and then compressed air to clean their unit.