So my Colt SBR finally got out of jail (a million apologies for no pics). The barrel seems to have cosmoline on it, as well as surrounding areas, so was wondering the preferred initial cleaning method. Non-chrlorinated brake cleaner? Gun scrubber? Other? The wife already nixed the idea of a hot bath with dawn in the tub, so that's out. Thanks.

If it truly has cosmoline on it... best method is take it outside and boil yourself up some water and pour over any covered areas.

brake cleaner

Guessing its cosmolene, it's a light greasy feel to the barrel exterior and some has gotten onto the handguards. I figured a good soaking with a cleaner followed up by proper lubrication was in its best interest.

When we got in three Vietnam-era M16s they were packed in cosmoline. I just sprayed them all down with non chlorinated brake cleaner then lubed normally.

I have used mineral spirits on AK mags that were caked in cosomline and it worked wonders.

Back in the day, people used to bake out cosmoline with a homemade "oven" made from a steel trash can, a 100 watt incandescent light bulb, and some insulation.

Updated to add that non-chlorinated brake cleaner, with the little plastic straw attached, made short work of the packing grease. Thanks for the inputs!

The cosmoline-like preservative that is used in some new gun barrels is much lighter than the cosmo on surplus military rifles. It should come off with regular cleaning products. On the other hand, I have a yugo rifle that was thickly coated with what seemed like axle grease.