M1 Carbine-All WWII Original?

[dbuffington]

The harsher solvents can bleach the patina out of Parkerizing by removing the old oil and linseed oil stains. They will not harm any metal parts.

Indeed, while cleaning around the heavily gunked rear sight, I found that a relatively mild cleaner (Hoppes Elite) slightly bleached the Parkerizing. I've used the Elite cleaner on dozens of guns, and I've never seen that happen before. Thanks!

[USGI]

The harsher solvents can bleach the patina out of Parkerizing by removing the old oil and linseed oil stains.

Good point! - Been there and done that. - Bob

[INLAND44]

Many owners of old guns will not clean them at all because they don't even want to lose 'closet dust'. I'm not in that camp yet, but I sure do remember cleaning a carbine barrel one day that had about 50% Park, kind of spotty, and my shock when I saw how bad it looked after blasting it with brake cleaner. In some cases, 'squeaky clean' is not the best idea.

[ABPOS]

So is brake cleaner as bad as gun scrubber? I have a bolt I want to clean up and I'm trying decide if I want to break it down, or just give it a rinse. Not a carbine bolt though. A .22 Win 67.

[emmagee1917]

They all contain mixtures of Tetrachloroethylene , perchloroethylene , and dichloromethane . Prety much the same stuff , although brands will vary on the mix and strength . Difference is brake cleaner doesn't say "gun" on it , so it's much cheeper.
Chris

[ABPOS]

Yeah, but should I not use it on an old bolt from a winny 67? I should probably just tear it apart. I have a good video for it. Sorry for the off topic. I was wanting to be lazy and take the easy way out.

[emmagee1917]

I have used brake cleaner on my guns for 30-40 years now . Never a problem . However , my guns are "Old School " wood and steel. No plastics on them and I don't let it get on the wood . Mostly use it in the bores prior to the Outer's foul-outs and to remove solvents prior to oiling . Good on assembled trigger groups and bolts , too. I use cheep "Part's Master " brand mostly as it's weaker . I save the more expensive " Berryman 's " for real cruddy multi thousand round belt fed cleanings. Does not seem to harm park or blued finishes themselves , but does remove cosmoline quite well.
Chris

[ABPOS]

Great. That helps me a ton!!!

[imarangemaster]

I have used brake cleaner on really fouled M1 Carbine and AR-15 bolts/carriers. If you soak it and use an empty case with its rim hooked under the extractor, you can work the ejector to help free it up. Dis-assembly, however, is the best bet.