Cleaning Silencer

[ittayem66]

Never clean centerfire silencers.
It makes them louder, and there is no reason to clean them.

How about Rimfire ? Should I not clean that either ?

[Coctailer]

How about Rimfire ? Should I not clean that either ?

Ya, you need to clean rimfire cans. They fill up with lead and unburnt powder.
Its best to take them apart when you are done shooting and they are still warm. Once they cool off, they get hard to take apart.

[midlandshooter]

What exactly is the silicone treatment?

You heat up the can nice and hot, and then toss it in a tub of 100% silicone oil.

[michpatriot]

Will a ultrasonic cleaner actually remove lead? That is caked on?

[midlandshooter]

Will a ultrasonic cleaner actually remove lead? That is caked on?

Not unless you're using the dip.

[balrog006]

You heat up the can nice and hot, and then toss it in a tub of 100% silicone oil.

I’m assuming it’s best to heat the can not by shooting it, since that would get it dirty

[michpatriot]

Ok thanks Midland.

[Patrick]

You heat up the can nice and hot, and then toss it in a tub of 100% silicone oil.

Nice and hot being what, 200-250F?

[postban]

Nice and hot being what, 200-250F?

I use DOT5 Brake Fluid which is silicone, also pretty easy to find.
Put just the clean/new baffles or core in a glass jar, fill DOT5 to cover them, heat to 250° for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool. Pick the baffles out, let drain onto paper towel for a few hrs, wipe off any remaining fluid, reassemble can. Keep the lid for the jar, leave DOT5 in it for next treatment or can. One 12oz bottle was enough to do my Octane 9, Spectre II, Mask HD and Outback IID. I used my little powder coating oven for heating.

It changes the way crud sticks to the baffles, appears more gritty/sandy after. Nylon brush knocks stuff right off whereas I needed scrapers/picks before.

[thedonn007]

I have cleaned my Octane 9 a few times, since I have been using it for .22lr in addition to 9 mm. I put the baffles in my ultrasonic cleaner with 50/50 water and vinegar, and clean out the tube best I can with some hopes and a nylon brush.