Cleaning the Carrier Block

[King Medallion]

OK, last week I was shooting the Presidio with black powder, and of course cleaned with soap n water as soon as I got home. Now, I notice the carrier block is real dirty, which tells me the brass wasn't sealing very well, correct? Today I'm breaking down the c\action for a more thorough cleaning and the block is really dirty. Scrubbing with warm water and copper brush, it's clean, but now tarnished. Question is, can I ultrasound it to get it looking new again, or perhaps wet tumble it with SS pins, or is it just going to be tarnished forever. Or is there some soap or compound to use?
Thanks,
King.

[pinto beans]

Hey Mr King,

This is an interesting question as even smokeless shooting over a period of time has caused my carrier block to start to tarnish.  I did a little research and found this on Popular Mechanics site:

"o clean away the tarnish, make this safe, nontoxic cleaning solution: squeeze the juice of one lemon into a small bowl. Then, add two teaspoons of baking soda and mix to form a thick poultice. Use a super-soft micro-fiber cloth to rub the cleaning solution onto the tarnished brass piece. Force the solution into small spaces, holes, and crevices with a cotton swab or your fingertips.

Wait about ten minutes, then rinse and dry the piece. If there's still some residual tarnish, repeat the poultice treatment. Once all the tarnish is gone, apply a light coating of mineral oil to the brass and then buff it with a clean micro-fiber cloth until it shines. And to deter the brass from tarnishing again, repeat the oil and buffing process every six months."

I DO NOT know if this works or is so much snake oil but I am finding myself in need of polishing my block as well.  There are products out there that are supposed to be for such but the ones I have seen have some harsh chemicals in them so I wouldn't use myself.  I will say I am sorry ahead of time as this may be of No help at all but figured to pass along what I have found so far.

Let us know how things go and hope you find a recipe to get er clean again!!

P.B.

[King Medallion]

Open to any and all suggestions.  Thanks Pinto.

[Buckaroo Lou]

Brasso won't do it?

[King Medallion]

Might. Don't have any. On the list! Thank you!

[Slamfire]

  King, i'v had really good luck with NU FINISH Polish, it is a " auto polish". I use it to hand clean & polish dirty brass cases, it is a "POLISH not a WAX". Test it on a brass soot'd or dull case, wipe on wet let dry 1-2 min. wipe off = clean & shiny.

  coffee's ready,  Hootmix.

[Roosterman]

I like tarnish.

[King Medallion]

I do to, and now it is. This thing was beyond just tarnished. I'm thinking I may try to anneal this 50/95 brass, because it obviously is getting too much blow by. Or is that normal for 50/95? Don't have that problem with the 45/60 or 45/75.
Took the gun apart yesterday and gave it a good cleaning. But I couldn't get the pin out that hold the bolt in. The gunsmithing video I was watching said it should practically fall out, and it did not. Of course it was a 73 he was working on, bud said the 76 is exactly the same take down.

Anyway, did a good cleaning, polished a spot or two and got her all back together. seemed alot smoother to cycle and trigger pull was better. guess I better load up some more ammo now.

[Slamfire]

 Annealing is a good thing, nice color .

  coffee's ready,  Hootmix.

[Roosterman]

I had one of my 76's apart a couple weeks ago, the pin holding the bolt fell out too.

[King Medallion]

Mine is in there tight, even tapped it a few times with a punch. Didn't budge.

[Montana Slim]

The somewhat tarnished look adds to authenticity 😆 I've been congratulated for shooting "original" 1866 rifle paired with 1860 Colt's 😁 Of course their genuine Uberti with a lot of use. To clean my lever rifles after black powder, I place a fired cartridge brass from the day's event into the chamber, then use jag & damp patches from the muzzle (using a brass guard). If I absolutely had to make a carrier bright. I'd put into a vibratory tub with polishing media.

Regards,
Slim

[Coffinmaker]

. Hey There Slim 

PLUS ONE for Montana Slim.  When My Carrier Blocks pick up a bit of schmutz,  I just throw the carrier in the Vinegar Water with the cases.  When dry I toss it in the Vibrator with Lizard Litter.  Any tarnish/staining after that is declared "Patina" to be bragged on.

Of course, I don't have OCD about real shiny new looking brass either.  A little staining just gives it character.

OOPSies:  Near forgot, you ask in the land of the Poster Child for Annealing??  Silly Shooter.  The answer is a definite YES to both questions.  Yes, your bottle neck rifle cases aren't expanding to seal the chamber.  There shouldn't be much if any schmutz on yer Carrier Block.  YES, ANNEALING is the answer and will eliminate the problem You Betcha.  Burma Shave