Surplus Corrosive Ammo Cleaning

[Martin Luber]

Would it matter less with stainless barrels?

[Dutchman]

Windex and GI bore cleaner. Either or.

Dutch

[Adam Helmer]

I began shooting military surplus corrosive ammo in 1958 and still do so today. The Old Army Manual prescribed hot, soapy water followed by dry patches and then an oil patch. I use the same for my muzzleloaders. Windex, etc., works because it is WATER based.

Adam

[Lead Puller]

I began shooting military surplus corrosive ammo in 1958 and still do so today. The Old Army Manual prescribed hot, soapy water followed by dry patches and then an oil patch. I use the same for my muzzleloaders. Windex, etc., works because it is WATER based.

Adam

After a day at the range, I'll remove the barreled actions from my muzzleloaders and submerge them in hot soapy water. Several passes with a tight fitting patch siphons the hot soapy water through the barrel. I've never had an issue with corrosion.

[JSnover]

On the battlefield with a rifles action gummed up with mud and dirt, peeing on the action to get the gun working again was used in the heat of battle.
They were not worried too much about a bit of rust and corrosion when keeping the weapon shooting meant life or death. No firsthand knowledge, only told me by an old WWII vet, rest his soul, I sure miss the old guy.

The other version I've heard was about soldiers using urine to refill the cooling system on water-cooled machine guns.