Basic Training. Forty years ago. Lackland AFB. Firing range.  After we qualified with our weapons we disassembled our rifles and dunked the upper receivers into a large vat and then cleaned the barrels with brushes and patches.  Does anyone remember those vats and what may have been in them?  All I can remember is that it had the consistency of kerosene or diesel fuel but it smelled like a cleaner not like a fuel.  Couldn't that method be used today with our rifles, including garands and 03's, etc?  Just curious.

I do exactly that with my rifles, just on a smaller scale.

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=7&t=275844

QUIBB I have a very large plastic wallpaper pan that would be perfect for dunking rifle barrels, etc.  What solution do you use?  Why wouldn't a good parts cleaner work?  It's relatively inexpensive in bulk quantities and safe to use in the shop.  Are bore cleaners available in large quantities without it costing an arm and a leg?

See my link for an update.