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How to properly clean a Full auto MG34 after shooting corrosive ammo?


duza9999

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Good evening everybody, recently I picked up a Premay sample MG34, and I've put about 100 rounds through it of non corrosive PPU. However for the first time I may be going to a MG shoot (over at the Hernando club's shooting range (a bit above Tampa)  on Sunday).

 

As such I'm considering bringing the 34 but as for ammo, I've got about 750 rounds of Romanian 8mm and 900 rounds of 50's Yugoslavian production.

I've never dealt with cleaning a gun after shooting corrosive ammo, and while I see many video's online on cleaning mosin's, 98k's, ect, I've not seen anything specific as to cleaning 34's after running corrosive ammo.

 

I'm wondering if the "hive" has any tips or tricks on area's to focus on (I.E. is it just the bolt, booster, barrel, firing pin) or is it everything including deep inside the trigger group, ect.

Equally is it just boiling hot soapy water, with a bore swab until clean, then a generous layer of oil, or are there different methods I should be looking at? 

 

Any guidance would be most appreciated!

With regards-Mat

Edited by duza9999
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Just wanted to make sure that you know, the Sub gun match will be just that (sub guns / pistol calibers only). 


That being said, I think people will spray them down with windex (inside and out). That’ll hold them over until they can get home and give them a thorough cleaning. That’s what I’ve heard, at least. 
 

Hopefully, you can make it to the match. 

Edited by KickStand
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23 minutes ago, KickStand said:

Just wanted to make sure that you know, the Sub gun match will be just that (sub guns / pistol calibers only). 

Ah, I wasn't really thinking of competing, I thought there was going to be a general shoot after the match.

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Pretty much anywhere the propellant gasses can go they will carry the corrosive primer salts with them. Fortunately, it doesn't hurt to get the gun and it's parts wet, just don't soak the wood parts.

One of the old fashioned ways was to heat up a 55 gallon drum full of water for cleaning. Rifles and whatnot would be stripped and dunked sufficiently to dissolve the corrosive salts. The weapon could then be cleaned with the usual powder solvents.

A bathtub full of hot soapy water is perfect except for the reaction you'll get from the wife. Make sure you place a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub and have the Ajax ready for when you're done. That, or have your pen ready to sign the divorce papers.

Dawn is the ideal soap to use for cleaning up the mess the ammo makes. Once you're satisfied with the initial scrubbing of the receiver, bore and bolt parts rinse everything well with the hottest water you can stand. Gloves may help in this step. The hotter the water the faster it will evaporate from the metal.

Use an old towel to dry off the parts. Do not use the wife's guest towels or you'll definitely be using that pen. And, to avoid running out of ink in that pen don't use the wife's oven. Instead take her hair dryer outside and plug it into an extension cord. Put your pile of parts in a cardboard box and cut a hole to stick the nose of the dryer into. Make sure you keep the dryer out of the dirt or you'll be sleeping with the dog and using it to heat the doghouse.

If you've made it this far without your wife chasing you around the house you're pretty much home free. Once all the moisture has been removed from all the parts you can apply a liberal coat of your favorite preservative oil. Periodically check the firearm to ensure that it still has a protective coating and that no spots of rust have started to develop.

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40 Plus years ago, Spraying the gun down with Carb or brake cleaner to kill the corrosive  primers followed by spray oil. The carb cleaner strips everything out of the gun. The spray oil coats the gun to prevent rust from starting. This is what was done 40 years ago. 

Currently, I do the same thing with added cleaning. I clean the gun with Hoppes #9 the next day. Hoppes kills corrosive primer residue. I usually do not remove the trigger group.

Good luck with the muzzle booster cleaning.

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I've had great luck with rubbing alcohol on everything after shooting. Don't think you'd have to get into the trigger group, but it's not too bad to get into so wouldn't hurt. I only have a semi auto, but most items are the same. There's a million ways to do this as you can see above, pick something with stuff you like using and make sure you wipe everything down well before reoiling.

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