Brake Cleaner for a PM9

[qmdv]

I read the info about how to treat a new Kahr. I copied this from that post. Go to Napa and look for NAPA brand BRAKLEEN CRC non cholorinated brake cleaner # 091314CA. or my preference is #M brand part # 8180 at Good stuff, won't harm anything on your kahr or polymer guns. If u like the gun brand spray cleaners, that is fine. they will all do the same job, some are just alot lower in price.

When they posted #M brand I think they meant 3M. Must have hit the shift key when typing. Well I drove up to Medford, OR from where I live in way Nor Cal. About 1 hr 15 minutes drive up I-5 to look for said brake cleaner. No 3M 8180 to be found anywhere. Went to a NAPA store and found and purchased CRC 091314. The did not have the CRC 091314CA. They said that the CA stood for California. They also said that the California stuff did not have the really good cleaning stuff in it cus it was a gross polluter. He said that the product without the CA sold Oregon was much better for cleaning brakes.

My question is am I safe to use the Oregon product on my PM9 or should I run down to Mt Shasta and get the product with the CA at the end. I am concerned that maybe the good chemicals for cleaning brakes they took out to make it California legal may be the bad chemicles that will attack the polymer frame. I love the PM9 and will not want to do anything to damage it.

Tim

[zamboni]

You are good to go with about any brake cleaner... As long as it is non chlorinated.

[leftysixty]

Yes! NON-CHLORINATED ONLY!!

[qmdv]

You are good to go with about any brake cleaner... As long as it is non chlorinated.

Well I read everything on the can of brake cleaner I purchased in Medford, OR and non-chlorinated is not written on the can. While trying to find it yesterday in Yreka, CA near where I live, I noticed that every can of brake cleaner in four auto parts stores had non-chlorinated in big letters. I think I will conclude that California requires all brake cleaner sold in California be non chlorinated for pollution reasons.

tim

[Bawanna]

There's really not that much on a PM9 that warrants brake cleaner any how far as I'm concerned.

Once one assures that the striker channel is clean and free of any junk and I think for the most part they are shipped out clean now days, a little blast now and then is all one needs.

I've never used it on any of mine. It's not a bad thing to do for sure but I'm not sure it's even really needed.

[muggsy]

I believe that because of the EPA all brake cleaner sold today is non-chlorinated. Brake cleaner will remove paint, so be careful not to get any on the sights or the bar dot will disappear.

[b4uqzme]

Just for clarity:

http://crcindustries.com/auto/crc-brakleen-brake-parts-cleaner

There is still chlorinated brake cleaner available. Brakleen offers theirs in a red can and it is not labeled "chlorinated". It may not be available everywhere (like CA). While their non-chlorinated products are clearly labeled so. There are other brands too but I didn't check how they are labeled. So my best advice: make sure it clearly says "non-chlorinated" on the label if that is what you want.

[jeepster09]

I believe that because of the EPA all brake cleaner sold today is non-chlorinated. Brake cleaner will remove paint, so be careful not to get any on the sights or the bar dot will disappear.

All my local stores sell both.

[340pd]

I have a can of Gun Scrubber that is labeled synthetic safe. I use it to clean striker channels and the trigger systems on a few guns. Never had any problems with respect it harming paint, wood, or polymer frames. At the rate I use it, I would expect it to last for years.

[sharpetop]

I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner on all of my guns. Just avoid getting it on wood grips, stocks or painted surfaces. It definately strips all the lubricants and any powder residue that may be on the gun.

[Barth]

I'm a big fan of Ballistol.
Use that on all my guns.

Full Disclosure:
Did break in my MK40 Elite on Militec 1.

[muggsy]

In addition to the differences between chlorinated and non-chlorinated brake cleaner found in this link, non-chlorinated brake cleaner won't attack plastic parts.

https://www.berrymanproducts.com/solution-central/difference-between-regular-brake-cleaner-and-non-chlorinated-brake-cleaner/

[marshal kane]

I've used brake cleaner on metallic parts e.g. reloading dies, barrels, etc. but not on polymers. I think I'll just stay with that.

[RWW84]

I used to use brake cleaner to clean out the striker channels on my two Kahrs, but switched to Hornady One Shot with a quick follow-up blast of compressed air. It cleans and quickly evaporates just as good as the brake cleaner, but leaves a dry lube behind. It works great and has never gunked up either pistol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DJK11]

CRC Electronics spray cleaner. I can clean 4 pistols with a can, safe on all plastics.

[WMD]

I have a can of Gun Scrubber that is labeled synthetic safe. I use it to clean striker channels and the trigger systems on a few guns. Never had any problems with respect it harming paint, wood, or polymer frames. At the rate I use it, I would expect it to last for years.

I am also a fan of Gun Scrubber. I have been using it for decades. That stuff really gets the crap out and does not leave any residue. You will need to lightly oil after its use. It removes all oil as well as powder, etc.

[qmdv]

I have figured out that the reason to go with brake cleaner instead of gun scrubber is the hug saving you get. Well after further review I do not think that saving a couple of bucks and getting a few more ounces is worth it. I did buy gun scrubber and am glad I did.

tim

[OvalNut]

I had light primer strikes on my PM9 and thankfully my gunsmith was at the range at the time it happened. I showed him the gun, and he politely pointed out how I had quite overly lubricated the slide to the point that the striker channel was full of Rand CPL. Completely my bad. The firing pin was hydrostatically locked up. Way bad for my EDC gun!

He took the slide apart and gave all the parts an ultrasonic bath in solvent then reassembled it and returned it to me, and all is very well again. He pointed out to me though, beyond how to more sparingly lubricate going forward, that the clean out hole in the slide is there to accommodate cleaners and that non-chlorinated brake cleaner is his go to. A shot with the striker in the resting position, followed by a shot with the striker pulled back. Just beware that the cleaner shoots out the firing pin channel on the second shot. Then, lightly lubricate the contact areas. It's all good.

I've shot and cleaned it twice since then. Perfect performance. Bang. Bang.


Tim

[SmokyT]

CRC Electronics spray cleaner. I can clean 4 pistols with a can, safe on all plastics.

Yes, besides non-chlorinated break cleaner, I have also tried CRC QD Electronic Cleaner on my polymer guns. It is clearly labeled "Plastic Safe" and works fairly well. I think it also stinks less than break cleaner or gunscubber.

[getsome]

Yes, besides non-chlorinated break cleaner, I have also tried CRC QD Electronic Cleaner on my polymer guns. It is clearly labeled "Plastic Safe" and works fairly well. I think it also stinks less than break cleaner or gunscubber.

+1 on the electronic cleaner which is basically alcohol...cleans great with no smell and won't harm painted rear sights.....NC brake cleaner is pretty harsh stuff but the CRC electronic spray cleaner does the same thing without damage to anything plastic, painted or to finished wood stocks