XD Talk

KI4LIV · 05-09-2006, 06:42 PM

I have been firing metal framed pistols for many years.. S&W, Beretta, etc etc... I just purchased my first polymer-frame gun yesterday, and want to be sure I don't commit a cardinal sin!

Something that I learned about 10 years ago was to use automotive brake-parts-cleaner spray to "rinse away" cleaner and gunk when I was done scrubbing everything down, of course followed by a mild lubrication afterwards.

Am I correct in assuming that this is a definate no-go when it comes to polymer framed pistols? At least when it comes to the frame?

Is there anything that I could use that would accomplish the same thing without destroying the frame?

Any feedback would be appreciated, as I pick my XD-45 up on Thursday!

Thanks!

Jon / KI4LIV

jednp · 05-09-2006, 06:57 PM

Well, birchwood casey makes a product called Gun Scrubber, and they have a synthetic safe version of it. That's the only polymer frame safe cleaner I'm aware of, but that's not to say there aren't others. Only thing I hate about it is it seems to run out fast, and that gets expensive. I may just use too much but who knows. Simple green works good for cleaning the frame. I just mixed a solution of water and simple green, soaked my frame in it and scrubbed it with a toothbrush then rinsed it with really hot water. I then blew as much water out as I could with compressed air and put it in the oven at about 100 degrees for maybe 20 minutes to make sure the water was evaporated. I don't do this every time I clean though, maybe once every few trips to the range.

Mike Wood · 05-09-2006, 10:22 PM

I had the exact same question to a guy I know that has been shooting XDs for awhile in competition. He told me he scrubs the heavy crap off with a toothbrush wet with Breakfree then blasts the hell out of it with BRAKE CLEANER followed up with a coat of BC Sheath.

He said he hasn't encountered any problems with the frame yet.....

Odin · 05-10-2006, 12:05 AM

Brake cleaner works fine. I wouldn't use anything with acytone in it. It could melt the plastic. Brake cleaner is faster then brushing cleaner on and it dries faster too. Just wipe down the gun with a light coat of oil when done. And lube all moving parts, brake cleaner strips all the oil out of the gun.

the yetty · 05-10-2006, 04:33 PM

I had a the same question when i got my xd, so i went over to a buddies house and he showed me his cleaning process he also used brake cleaner. no ill affects.

BUT.......
word of warning to those of you that use brake cleaner and not gun scrubber, break cleaner will affect the grips and certain other parts of some guns. I watch in horror as the brake cleaner melted the grip on my buddies Ruger Mark II. Gun Scrubber is synthetic safe and can be used on plactics and all sorts of coatings, but it is expensive and it does run out very quickly (kinda wonder why the big can).

on a side note, does anyone have an opinion on oil vs grease and what do you think a decent oil would be, i have been useing remington and i think it sucks, but i don't know of a decent replacement.

also, being new to the xd, how should i oil the firing pin area, i notice an oil hole, but i am always afraid of over oiling that area because i don't want a lot of build up.

any thoughts / suggestions?

**Old School** · 05-10-2006, 04:57 PM

Go with a safe product; one that won't affect the plastic on the frame or your sights. Blue Wonder's Fast Blast is an excellent product for spraying down the insides.

I still don't see why folks use Brake Cleaner on their guns, when less caustic/as affective products exist. Cost? Not sure.

OS

xd4life · 05-10-2006, 07:51 PM

+1 on the Blue Wonder products.

This past weekend I completly disassembled my XD the slide and frame. Removed all springs, pins and part's and cleaned them with the fast blast as the direstions say. Then followed up with their Disotech XFR oil. Used the bore scrubber on the barrel and followed p with the Armadillo. I got a kit that has all of the products for like $20 at a local gun store. I've been really happy with the results.

If you take your gun completly down. PLEASE be careful. It really not that hard as Ajames has great directions on his website. But there are small parts that will roll away.

Mike Wood · 05-11-2006, 01:34 AM

I inquired to Springfield Armory (Tom Macke) about the BC "Gun Scrubber" as this is one of the better working "blaster type" cleaners and he told me that is the ONE to stay away from but most of the others would be OK........I want to find one that I can just hang the frame upside down and blast most of the crap out of it.

This gun is considerably more of a bitch to completely disassemble than a 1911. And I'm at the point now in my life where I just want to shoot (not clean) and these Glock guys with there once a year cleaning are making me jealous. I will start using my XD 9mm tactical in competition tomorrow and for the 1st time in years I will be using factory ammo because it's so cheap. I hope its similar to the Glocks where its very tolerant to crud.

KI4LIV · 05-11-2006, 05:51 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I just picked up my XD45 today, as well as an XDS9 that they had used for a great price! Time to give them both a good cleaning tonight as I fed them both 2 boxes of WWB each!