Maintenance Series: Cleaning Revolvers

In this Brownells video, Steve demonstrates a straightforward, effective method for cleaning your revolver after a day at the range—whether it's a double-action or single-action model. Using a Smith & Wesson K-frame as his example, he walks viewers through a practical field strip, barrel and cylinder cleaning techniques (including his go-to drill brush trick), light lubrication, and proper reassembly—without requiring a full disassembly.

What You Will Learn

Viewers will learn a quick and reliable revolver cleaning routine that helps maintain performance and extend firearm life. 

Benefit

Whether you're new to revolvers or a longtime shooter, Steve's tips—like using bronze wool for stubborn fouling or placing the revolver in a vise for easy access—will make your cleaning sessions faster, safer, and more effective.

Introduction

Hi, it's Steve with Brownells. In this video, I’m walking you through how to clean your revolver after a day at the range. Whether you’re shooting a double-action or single-action revolver, these steps will help you keep your firearm in top shape without needing to do a full disassembly.

Removing the Grips and Setting Up

The first thing I like to do is remove the grips. The reason is simple – you don’t want oils or cleaning solvents creeping under the grip panels where they can damage the material or leave residue. We're not doing a full teardown here, just a field strip and basic cleaning.

I’m working with a Smith & Wesson K-frame. To remove the cylinder, I take out the forward side plate screw. Make sure you have a cleaning mat or something similar under your work area to catch any oils and avoid damaging surfaces.

Barrel Cleaning Made Easy

With the cylinder out, I place the revolver upside down in a vise. This way, all the solvent drips down and away from the internal parts of the gun.

I use Hoppes No. 9 as my go-to solvent. It works every time. I apply some to a mop and run it through the barrel. Be sure to use a pistol-length rod and mop so you don’t risk hitting the back of your vise or table.

After letting the solvent sit for a moment, I take a brush, add a little more solvent, and scrub the bore. Even though I shoot powder-coated bullets in this gun, which don’t lead the barrel much, I still want to make sure it’s clean.

I finish with another pass of the mop and then inspect the barrel. Around the forcing cone area, I take a smaller brush to scrub out any carbon buildup. If it’s heavy, let it soak a bit longer and use a stiffer brush if needed. Once it’s clean, I wipe everything down.

Cleaning the Cylinder

Now comes the fun part – the cylinder. I place it in the vise to give me both hands free. I apply solvent to each chamber, or as Smith & Wesson calls them, charge holes.

Here’s a trick I’ve been using for 30 years: use a brush in a power drill to quickly clean the chambers. It might sound intense, but if done correctly with a nylon or brass brush, it’s safe and very effective. Just a few seconds per chamber and they’ll shine.

If you're dealing with stubborn fouling, especially from shooting .38s in a .357, wrap some bronze wool around the brush. It helps remove carbon without being overly abrasive.

For those who don’t want to use a drill, you can get a hand crank-style cleaning rod that allows you to rotate the brush manually.

Final Cylinder Touches

Once the chambers are clean, I wipe off any remaining solvent and check under the extractor star. If there's powder or debris there, I clean it out.

I also check the face of the cylinder. If there’s a lot of lead buildup, I go after it with steel wool, but in this case, it looks fine. A light wipe with an oily cloth is usually enough for a clean cylinder.

Light Lubrication and Reassembly

You don’t need a lot of oil. Just a drop or two applied where the cylinder rotates and where it interfaces with the frame is enough. Too much oil attracts gunk, so wipe away the excess.

Then I reassemble the revolver by sliding the cylinder back into the frame and tightening the yoke screw. Always check for function after reassembly.

Single-Action Revolver Notes

Cleaning a single-action revolver is similar. You’ll want to remove the grips first. This particular one has a locking base pin, so I loosen that, press the base pin latch, and pull the cylinder out. Once it’s out, follow the same cleaning process as with a double-action revolver.

Wrapping Up

Once you get used to the routine, you can finish cleaning your revolver in about 15 minutes. That means you’ll be ready for your next range trip without worrying about buildup or wear.

If you have any questions or comments about revolver cleaning, drop them below. We’re always happy to help.

Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time.

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