cleaning revolvers

[DLH]

What is the best way to clean the axle in the center of a double actions cylinder? I have been lube it for fears, but never cleaned it.

[bilmac]

If you're talking S&W, you don't want to mess with it too much. They can be taken apart, but if they unscrew even a little bit while you are using the gun, it will jam up really good. Best you can do is wipe it off while pushing the ejector out. Just be sure to keep your gun really clean in the area where the ejector star sits on the back of the cylinder. Get crud built up in there and your gun will stop working.

[Graybeard]

I use Q-tips.

[Rangr44]

I buy a gallon of kerosene from a Hess gas station, and fill an empty/washed 2lb plastic coffee can with some of it.

I then remove the cylinder/crane from the frame via the forwardmost RH frame screw, and give it a swim in the kero, working the ejector rod several times.
After an external oily rag wipedown and a hour/two air drying, I then apply some lube to the axle and re-instal it in the frame after the frame gets the same treatment with it's sideplate completely removed.

The kero will clean/flush & leave an oily residue inside where a rag, tool or Q-tip cannot reach.

My auto pistols & their mags have been getting the same treatment for over 35 years, after their grips are removed, w/o any issues.


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