Lewis Lead Remover vs Frontier Metal Cleaner

[JimB..]

I bought both last week, the Lewis Lead Remover on recommendations here, the Frontier just because I saw it on Amazon.

Everyone knows about the Lewis Lead Remover so I won’t describe it other than to say it did a good job on a forcing cone for me and a passable job on a bore.

Frontier metal cleaner looks like coarse steel wool but is advertised as being softer than bluing. I guess it’s maybe zinc, don’t really know. But, I wrapped a bit of it around an old undersized brush and ran it through the barrel I’d cleaned with the LLR followed by Butch’s Bore Cleaner and got out a bunch more junk. I then tried it on a model 10 that I didn’t know I owned and that was filthy. Ran it through the bore 10 times, ran a couple wet patches through, dry patch and it was perfect. Did the same with the cylinder, quick and easy all clean.

Anyone use this stuff, have any bad experiences?

Thanks
Jim

[georgerkahn]

I use both. Unaware that Amazon purveyed the Frontier, I purchase mine from Buffalo Arms. Frankly, I love the stuff, and have (to my old, weary eyes) not seen anything "bad", or harm done from using this product. I add Birchwood Casey Lead Remover Cloth to my lead removal arsenal, too. (And then, to be really OCD :) -- I use D-Lead soap on "me".) BEST!
geo 261446261447

[metricmonkeywrench]

I got turned onto the Frontier while trying to salvage a Muzzleloader’s rusted bore. From there I use it now in application to chore boy bore cleaning for leading.

Yep a couple of short strands on an old bore brush does wonders. As for bluing, I cleaned up a couple of blued rifle barrels with no harm to the barrels

[JimB..]

I was playing with it today and found that it’s magnetic. I wonder if it’s some form of stainless steel.

[Winger Ed.]

I was playing with it today and found that it’s magnetic. I wonder if it’s some form of stainless steel.

See if it rusts like those copper colored scrubbies from the grocery store.
It'll tell you if its Stainless or not.

[M-Tecs]

I was playing with it today and found that it’s magnetic. I wonder if it’s some form of stainless steel.

http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/

The coils are composed of a proprietary alloy containing stainless steel, nickel silver, monel (a corrosion resistant nickel based alloy), and zinc.

[BigAlofPa.]

I made my own from brass pipe screens and jags.

[M-Tecs]

See if it rusts like those copper colored scrubbies from the grocery store.
It'll tell you if its Stainless or not.

Actual Chore Boy brand are copper. A lot of the cheaper scrubbies are copper plated steel.

https://www.choreboyscrubbers.com/chore-boy-products/copper-scouring-pads

Chore Boy® Ultimate Copper Scrubbers are created with pure copper using the latest machine knit procedures.

Back to the difference better the Lewis Lead Remover and the Frontier Big 45 I have never compared the two in a head to head. Used the Lewis a lot in the 70's and 80's but mostly figured out the leading issues and for the limited leading I have BoreTech Eliminator coupled with Wipe Out leader remover https://sharpshootr.com/no-lead/ I have not used the Lewis, Chore Boy or the Frontier product on lead. I have used the Frontier product on Rust. It works well with no issues.

[JimB..]

http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/

The coils are composed of a proprietary alloy containing stainless steel, nickel silver, monel (a corrosion resistant nickel based alloy), and zinc.
Thanks.

So far I’m liking it, having it prompted me to clean a handful of 38 cal revolvers that I’ve acquired over the past year but never shot.

[pietro]

.

I've used Big45Frontier successfully for many years to remove external rust from blued firearms w/o getting the minute scratches I used to get when using OOOO steel wool & oil - but I've never cleaned a rifled bore with it.

With a cost of $6 for a 3-pack directly from the maker, I find it's an excellent value.


.

[Larry Gibson]

When it comes to removing lead and/or PC buildup from barrels (rifle or handgun) of 38, 9mm, 35 caliber, 375 caliber, 40/41 caliber, 44 caliber and 45 caliber I automatically reach for and use the Lewis Lead remover. All it takes is 1 -3 passes, usually just 1, and the lead/fouling is all removed. With 30 cal or smaller I use Chore Boy on a worn or 1 size under brush.

With my own cast and lubed bullets I very, very seldom need to use either. I mostly find the need to use either when I'm testing commercial cast or cast from others.

[wddodge]

I've used Frontier for quite a number of years. As several others have mentioned, I tangle a few strands in a nylon brush. A couple of passes through the bore and it's clean. Works good on shotguns too.

Denny

[RU shooter]

Or coarse bronze wool is pretty cheap
https://www.amazon.com/Homax-Bronze-Steel-Wool-Coarse/dp/B000H5QDUO

[JimB..]

Or coarse bronze wool is pretty cheap
https://www.amazon.com/Homax-Bronze-Steel-Wool-Coarse/dp/B000H5QDUO

Love bronze wool for removing rust, but I find it too fine and brittle for bore cleaning.

[Burnt Fingers]

.

I've used Big45Frontier successfully for many years to remove external rust from blued firearms w/o getting the minute scratches I used to get when using OOOO steel wool & oil - but I've never cleaned a rifled bore with it.

With a cost of $6 for a 3-pack directly from the maker, I find it's an excellent value.


.

Where did you get that price? The website shows $6 EACH.