1st 22 cal Supressor Cleaning

[clayshooter99]

Well this has been an experience so far and not done yet!!! I am cleaning the unit that has had about 300-500 22lr thru it last summer and fall and was never cleaned then. I am soaking for a few days to see how that goes but I only have a few different solvents right now that do not seem to be doing much good at all. Anyway, once it is cleaned I want to try and use the best ammo possible. Wondering what ammo is the cleanest and leaves the least lead in the baffles. Do the copper wash/plated ammo such as CCI Mini-mags or some of the copper Federal's or Winchesters do any better? So far I have just put lead round nose thru it being Federal automatch, some Federal match ammo and some Lapua. I guess I never expected that much buildup inside the unit.

 

[Goodcat]

I put anything through mine and wet tumble the aluminum baffles (issues doing this are rumors) every 400 rounds or so. Copper washed or any coating leaves less lead.

 

[ol' poke]

It's .22, so naturally dirty. I shoot Lapua through mine, but it's only slightly cleaner than CCI. IMO, subsonic ammo seems to be dirtier yet. I don't feel there is enough "oomph" to burn as completely as ss ammo. Any jacketed ammo will be cleaner yet.
I assume your suppressor has aluminum baffles? Mine does, and I just soak in in Hoppe's overnight and then scrub. Some of the heavier leading gets a razor blade to flake it off, but go gently as you don't want to scratch the aluminum. When finished, I just have some black staining. Shoot another 3-400 rounds and repeat.

 

[HK Guy]

Cleaning? Mehhhh..... I've got an old school sealed 22 can, never have cleaned it. I used to stress about it and was thinking of having it jail broke. Anymore I just shoot it and don't worry. If it plugs up I'll buy a newer, lighter, smaller and user serviceable can.

As far as ammo. I only shoot copper jacked (washed) ammo in the hopes that it would cut down in leading. Does it help? I don't know as 22 ammo is all sorts of dirty, but that is what I do.

 

[KokomoDave]

I use DOT 5 brake fluid in my suppressor to clean it. Outside of course. I store it in an old pickle jar. I pretreated my internals with Frog Lube and a commercial heatgun. Works well so far.
I'd avoid using the 'dip' unless you are extremely distressed with the baffles being clogged. It's nasty juju and not to be taken lightly.

 

[dudley0]

I put mine in a sonic bath every once in a while. I have SS baffles tho. If you do as well I can loan you the cleaner to test and see if it is worth it for you. I can't remember the last time I cleaned mine. They take a lot of rounds.

 

[Rookie]

Soda blasting?