Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns SS redhawk care questions

I just picked up a used 7.5" SS ruger redhawk from a friend... that wasn't too good at cleaning guns. This one will need some extra help over my usual routine. Questions:

1. A common stainless steel cleaner that any recomends. Hopefully from the grocery or hardware store.
2. What to use to clean the orange insert sight? can it be brightened up or will solvents make it duller yet?
3. What other front sight colors work better?
4. Anything need to be checked? It's about 15 yrs old, first owner, and not shot much.

H

What kind of dirt are you dealing with - discoloration, leading, good ol' fashion sludge?

Most of the clean up is carbon discoloration & buildup. Really bad on the cylinder face. Seems to be a lot of carbon on the front sight too.

Just - lack of cleaning shooting non-jacketed lead bullet - dirty.
H

For a cheap fix, try a (pink) pencil eraser on the cylinder face and any lead deposits on the side. Rub the eraser, wipe with a cloth, repeat.

Any gun powder cleaning solvent, such as Hoppes, should make short work of the carbon build up. Some of the dirt is probably burnt lube from the reloads.

Try a gentle cleaning with Comet all over your new gun, even inside the barrel?
Steve