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When to clean a .22 suppressor?

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/380105858/m/4730054974

February 11, 2021, 09:11 AM
mike56
When to clean a .22 suppressor?
Just looked at. lots of black flakes, cloudy. Have a morning appointment so won't start the clean up until I'm back.
Still see some caked black lead on some. It was pretty nasty when I put it all in.
February 11, 2021, 12:45 PM
mike56
Success! Pulled them out and put them in a dish of hot soapy water. Rinsed again.
Lots of black but it wiped off with a rag! A little toothbrushing in the small areas and good as new. Lubed and will shoot it tomorrow.
Guy at the dump said they would take the jar with dip in it.
February 11, 2021, 02:03 PM
imfrogman
Makes life alot easier doesn't it? My dump takes it also, I just use sharpie and write on jar what it is. I will usually use solution 3 times before dumping


NRA Life Member
February 11, 2021, 03:54 PM
mike56
Didn't even think to save it.
Guessing it's a no go for aluminum baffles?
The pilot I just soaked in hoppes. After a day or 2, the lead was visible and I just scrapped it off.
March 09, 2021, 11:32 AM
Challer
Another one here for nickel anti-seize. And tumbling internal baffles in stainless pins
March 09, 2021, 06:42 PM
Bentonville
I haven’t shot many rounds through my can. I have just recently gotten a Mark IV and have used my Obsidian 45 with it . Awesome combination. I cleaned it after just 60 rounds or so just to see how dirty it was compared to my 9mm and .45 pistols. .22s are dirty!
I used a 50/50 solution of Purple Power and water in an ultrasonic cleaner with heat for about an hour. This is the cleaning technique suggested in the Rugged Suppressor manual. I use a Harbor Freight cleaner. It worked like a charm, in my opinion. Of course, all aluminum parts such as the tube and end caps are cleaned with CLP or something that won’t etch aluminum ( no ammonia). The tube is wiped dry so no oil is inside.
This is probably more info than anyone wanted but maybe someone will benefit.
March 09, 2021, 07:16 PM
SIGfourme
Welcome Bentoville.
Are you using a fixed barrel adapter for 22?
Because 22’s run dirty- better to have a dedicated 22 can.
March 09, 2021, 09:43 PM
Bentonville
I have a fixed barrel spacer that fits over the .22 piston. The Obsidian is easy to take apart and clean and is very quiet. For now it’s not possible for me to jump through all the hoops to get a dedicated .22 can.
April 05, 2021, 08:46 PM
MikeinNC
quote:
Originally posted by mike56:
Didn't even think to save it.
Guessing it's a no go for aluminum baffles?
The pilot I just soaked in hoppes. After a day or 2, the lead was visible and I just scrapped it off.


You can’t use “The Dip” with aluminum...it destroys the baffle.



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January 04, 2022, 03:44 PM
Odd Job
I am a bit late to this party, but you may be interested in a little experiment I started pre-COVID. I fired 35,000 rounds through an ATEC CMM6 suppressor without cleaning. I did not even tap the suppressor on a hard surface.
It has picked up around 100g in mass, but still works great.

Here are the four articles documenting this experiment, on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse...sor-part-1-bertolli/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse...sor-part-2-bertolli/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse...sor-part-3-bertolli/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse...sor-part-4-bertolli/

Hope you can see those without having to sign into LinkedIn.

If not, this link might work, but it includes all my articles and you have to scroll down:

https://www.linkedin.com/today...on-bertolli-b6500522

My club has 11 of those suppressors. All I do is blow air from a compressor through each one, then I take it apart and brush each baffle with a toothbrush. That's it, doesn't have to be squeaky clean.
April 16, 2022, 07:56 AM
Clem Eastwood
I use a sonic cleaner with 50/50 distilled and simple green. on high heat. works pretty well. still have to wipe a little off, but overall loosens the stuff pretty well.
April 19, 2022, 09:12 AM
Bentonville
Exactly same as above with 9mm, 45, and .22. Harbor freight and Simple Green/Purple Power works fine.
May 23, 2022, 07:01 PM
swage
I’ve used CLR with good success on stainless baffles. Lots of info and videos online about it.
May 25, 2022, 07:12 AM
DaBigBR
quote:
Originally posted by mike56:
Are one of those sonic cleaners from Harbor Freight viable?
Doesn't it need to be water based?


I use a Harbor Freight ultrasonic with a mix of Purple Power and water. No issues.
June 14, 2022, 10:04 PM
neverenoughguns
quote:
Originally posted by DaBigBR:
quote:
Originally posted by mike56:
Are one of those sonic cleaners from Harbor Freight viable?
Doesn't it need to be water based?


I use a Harbor Freight ultrasonic with a mix of Purple Power and water. No issues.


Trying the same this evening. Mixed results so far but going to "let it ride" and see how it works out.