Brake cleaner isn't the safest component to get in contact with your hand, wooden furniture, plastics, and paint.
I am trying to find a product that will dissolve/help remove carbon deposits quickly but is safe to use. I've soaked my Glock barrel in Slip 2k Carbon Cutter for 24 hours and the carbon deposits literally drop to the bottom of the jar. My bore then looks as clean as it came from the dealer.
However, it's kind of hard to soak my rifle barrels in a jar of carbon cutter... and it's a PITA to scrub the bore repeatedly using Simple Green. I've tried Ed's Red, Brake Cleaner, Kerosene, penetrant oil, etc... and the hard stuff that is stuck to chrome lined components doesn't come off fast. The powder/black residue that is stuck to the inside of the bolt carrier comes off with CLP. But the hard stuff is like the substance stuck to the inside of the barrel extension (similar to the carbon buildup on AK piston tops).
I've learned to just leave the hard stuff on there but I'm not too thrilled about it collecting in the bore (if it does collect in the bore).