M1 garand help

[Pirate69]

Corrosive ammo can be a problem unless proper cleaning is done fairly soon after firing. The corrosive primes generate potassium chloride when fired. KCl is soluble in water so LOTs of cold water will remove it. Less water is required if the water is hot since KCL solubility increases with temperature. So, if enough is used, either cold or hot water will do the trick. You can get a little added benefit by using an ammonia solution. The ammonia reacts with the KCl to form Ammonium Chloride. The NH4CL is actually more soluble in water than KCl and is easier to flush out.

Saw the comment on potential barrel corrosion if the ammonia solution is left in the barrel. This is a potential problem; but only under certain conditions. The solution has to be a fairly strong solution and air (oxygen) has to be present. This occurs when a strong copper bore cleaner is swabbed into a barrel and left for an extended time. Note some vendors recommend a max time of 15 minutes before removing and repeating. This is an interesting phenomenon. The strong ammonia solution is actually converted to a mild solution of nitric acid over time in the presence of oxygen. It is the formed nitric acid that is corrosive to the mild barrel steel. An ammonia solution is a very effective bore copper cleaner if used correctly. If you plug a barrel bore and fill it to the top, you can allow it to remove the copper over an extended period of time since the flooded barrel eliminates the presence of oxygen. Removal of any moisture after using and a good oil coating and you are good to go.

[Mauser48]

Clean with windex after corrosive ammo. After that just oil everything good and continue regular cleaning.

[Rich/WIS]

I've always used the el cheapo buck a gallon windshield washer fluid for cleaning my BP rifles. Works and is easy and cheap to get. BP has the same issue with corrosive salts.

[N4AUD]

I use hot water with a drop or two of detergent. The water would be fine by itself but I think the soap helps get things cleaner. No need to use any chemicals like glass cleaner.

[Scharfschuetze]

Back in the day of the 1903 Springfield and corrosive ammo, the Army used a 3% ammonia solution to remove jacket fouling. It was used, as noted above, by filling the barrel and letting it sit for a short time. While effective in removing the jacket fouling, there were reports of a ruined barrel from time to time. Of course the Army could replace a ruined barrel with a new GI barrel ricky tick, but that may not be an option anymore.

I've found that Sweet's 7.62 copper solvent to be most effective in this application. At one time there was a copper solvent made from horse excrement (lots of ammonia) that was super effective and was a la natural.

Many match shooters will use a swab with rubbing or wood alcohol when finishing up with Sweet's or other copper solvents to help neutralize the ammonia. That seems to work well, just like the Windex formula with vinegar does for the left over priming residue in your barrel.