Gun cleaning solvent ok to use on polymer part of the pistol?

Question

Gun cleaning solvent ok to use on polymer part of the pistol?

Answer 1

I have used hoppe's #9 cleaning solvent on all of my polymer pistols. Meaning I use a Q-tip to clean the dirty area and immediately wipe it off. I have never left it on long enough to do any damage and I have had a few of my handguns for a few years with no issues for using the solvent each cleaning session.

It would be a good idea though to test in a small area just in case....Different solvents do different things. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 2

some one posted a similar question about a day or too ago about what to use on his glock. try to see if you could find it and see the answers.

i honestly do not know if the solvents would harm or damage the polymer, but i would play it safe and assume it does. anyways, the polymer frames do not really get all that dirty, a simply wipe down with warm soapy water should be enough. if there is some debris in the frame, i say blow it out with compressed air, like from the duster cans or is you have an air compressor available, should be enough.

you may want to try a bit of the solvent on a small part to see how it behaves. their may no be a problem, but after many cleanings a problem could arise. remember, i am not sure, for all i know the solvents could be completely harmless. if you just clean the gun after each use, thus not giving the residue and such any time to settle, the use will not be needed at all for the polymer frame parts.

as for the slide a.d barrel assembly, the solvents are obviously what its meant for. lastly, do not forget to apply some lubrication on all moving parts especially where metal touches metal, and the slide rails. some drops in the trigger mechanism, and work it in, you should be set. hope this helps

Answer 3

I use Hoppes # 9 on my Glocks and it doesn't cause any problems I can see or feel.

The polymer is pretty tough stuff.

Glocks in particular can suffer from over lubrication if you get gun oil in the firing pin channel. This should be dry all the time.

Just figured I'd throw that in in case you were asking about Glocks in particular.

Good luck

Thurman

Answer 4

Test it on a small area. Ive had some solvents soften polymer on guns.

Answer 5

hoppes #9 works fine for me

Answer 6

Solvent doesn't usually bother the polymer. But as stated test a spot first. I don't know if this helps but a bought some replacement grips that were are moade of a polymer for my mkii. The little instruction book said the solvent wouldn't bother it.

Answer 7

Polymer-safe degreaser on a patch or Q-tip works very well.  As someone else has stated, test a small area for any side effects.  I would not be using bore cleaner ANYWHERE outside of a bore.  That is a bad habit.  Bore cleaner can slowly damage other areas over time on the molecular level (meaning that what you do not see can hurt you) and by the time you realize it you are screwed.