Do you just clean the breach area where it surrounds the flash hider (in my case an A2) or do  you just immerse the entire suppressor in some kind of solvent.  Yeah I know I can read the directions but I haven't had a chance to go pick it up yet

Quoted: Do you just clean the breach area where it surrounds the flash hider (in my case an A2) or do  you just immerse the entire suppressor in some kind of solvent.  Yeah I know I can read the directions but I haven't had a chance to go pick it up yet

Tell us more about what kind of can you have if you really expect an honest answer to your question.

Gemtech HALO

There is really no need to clean a Centerfire rifle suppressor. We don't clean our factory demo units and they have probably seen more rounds than almost any can in civilian hands.

The ONLY portion that I clean, when needed, is the mounting area. Go to Home Depot and buy a 3/4" steel bristle plumber's brush. Use this to clean any carbon build-up in the mount area. This prevents binding in the mating surfaces.

Any further cleaning is really not necessary, but instructions are provided in your Technical Manual that was supplied with the suppressor. Immersion cleaning is only necessary after exposure to salt water, or heavy deposits from blowing dust, sand.

Any other questions, just call.

Owen
Gemtech Sales
(208) 939-7222

I have heard that ultrasonic cleaning is bad for cans any truth to this??? I dont have one yet but am in the market for my first.

Ultrasonic is supposed to be bad for aluminum.

I wait about 3000-4000 rounds fired then get some of those cute little corks from Michaels plug one end and fill it with Kroil, leave it set about 24 hours, then drain it out, hit it with some compressed air and let it dry a couple hours, good to go. I got 2 AAC suppressors, one for my P22 one for my Krink, if my moneys good this year, so far, no I hope to get the Evolution 9 on the HK tactical platform

Quoted: Ultrasonic is supposed to be bad for aluminum.

Two points here. First off, to cavitate, the cleaning medium must be water based. Water will, over time, corrode aluminum. Anodized aluminum has far greater corrosion resistance, but in firearm usage, there are powder residues which, when mixed with water, are weak acids, including nitric acid.

Second, one of the standard tests for ultrasonic cleaner operation is to place a 1-inch square of aluminum foil in the tank and turn it on for a certain period of time (60 seconds, as I recall). At the end of this interval, there are supposed to be at least 11 holes in the foil sample.

I do wish one could get cavitation in organic solvents. That would make weapon cleaning a dream.

Philip H. Dater

1.  READ YOUR MANUAL


/I did.

Quoted: Quoted: Ultrasonic is supposed to be bad for aluminum. Two points here. First off, to cavitate, the cleaning medium must be water based. Water will, over time, corrode aluminum. Anodized aluminum has far greater corrosion resistance, but in firearm usage, there are powder residues which, when mixed with water, are weak acids, including nitric acid. Second, one of the standard tests for ultrasonic cleaner operation is to place a 1-inch square of aluminum foil in the tank and turn it on for a certain period of time (60 seconds, as I recall). At the end of this interval, there are supposed to be at least 11 holes in the foil sample. I do wish one could get cavitation in organic solvents. That would make weapon cleaning a dream. Philip H. Dater

Hmm. I'm gonna have to try that. I use an ultrasonic cleaner all the time, I haven't found any extra holes yet.

I guess I should tag this thread. I've got one centerfire suppressor and four rimfire, and I've never quite gotten around to cleaning any of them.  

Quoted: I guess I should tag this thread. I've got one centerfire suppressor and four rimfire, and I've never quite gotten around to cleaning any of them.

Me neither. Someone once told me: "Cleaning a suppressor is like cleaning your car's muffler. When was the last time you did that?"

I guess when buildup gets too bad

My original concern was in relation to the mounting area in the breech of the suppressor with the build up of carbon fouling I figured you would have to clean it periodically so it slid on and off the muzzle  (In my case HALO over A2).  Or I figured If enough rounds were fired without some maintenance it would also be harder to remove.  I realize that the baffles would need little to no maintenance.

Each manufacturer will recommend a cleaning solvent, use what they recommend. If you have not picked it up, check the manufacturer web page, it will sometimes be found under the FAQ's, this will give you a jump on your reading and give you more time to shoot.