Cleaning issues.

[Chaindog7777]

I am VERY thorough in cleaning my guns, I was just wanting to compare data with other shooters who use Wolf ammunition. Is it just me or is Wolf pistol ammo much dirtier than the rifle ammo? Also has anyone else experienced discoloration in the barrel bushing and barrel? I clean it until the patch comes out plain and white. Wolf ammo works well in my pistol, very accurate at 30 yards, not too bad of recoil, it's just dirty as hades on a crutch. Which it's no problem cleaning it perse I would just like to know if there is any type of solvent I could use that is available at Wal-mart besides Outers that will bust through the gunk easier? Also how do I disassemble the magazine to clean it? And someone also told me it was bad to disassemble the gun each time to clean it, which I think is crap it's relaxing to me to take it apart clean it then put it back together. Thanks for the input.

[Dean Hoffmann]

Chaindog777: I shot a box or two of Wolf some time ago, and I agree with you it really cruds up your gun. I didn't have any discoloration problems. I've found that Shooter's Choice really does a fine job on fouling which may be what you're seeing as discoloration. As to the magazine, it depends on the brand how you disassemble it. Wilson Combats remove the base plate and the whole thing comes apart, Kimbers, again depending on which model you have, you just need to depress the rear of the follower so that the front edge will clear the front edge of the mag, and then sort of wiggle the spring and follower side to side to get the spring out of the mag . I hope this is helpful. Dean

[jsmosby]

I haven't had any problems with any factory loaded rounds I've put through my SA MilSpec. (I haven't shot any reloads at this time.) It's my impression that Wolf is dirtier than others I've used. I guess that it is due to the metal casing not being as malleable as a brass casing, not providing as tight of a gas tight seal and allowing more blowback. Whatever the case, I just bought 1k of Wolf and Iamb going to have fun at a much reduced price! Like yourself I enjoy cleaning my guns and do it often. It gives me an opportunity to inspect the components and assure they'll be at the top of their game the next time I want to shoot. BTW, my understanding is that Wolf is no longer using the polymer case sealant that was causing some cleaning "challenges".

[BGregory]

Wolf is a dirty ammo. I've also shot some American made stuff that is just as bad. Most people have issue with the steel cases Wolf uses. I believe that they just recently changed from a lacquer coating on the case to a different kind, but haven't a clue to what it is.

As for Wal-Mart solvents, Hoppe's #9 is a good choice. I also like Hoppe's Copper Solvent as I shoot a lot of copper plated bullets and see more copper fouling from them than I would factory ammo. Run a couple of patches with just gun oil on them and then let the barrel sit. It helps loosen the powder crud and makes cleaning easier. Best time to do that is right after finishing shooting, while the barrel is still warm.

I usually do a basic field strip and clean (barrel - slide - receiver) after each session. After about 500 rounds, I strip the entire pistol and do a more thorough cleaning.

[Chaindog7777]

Okay! Thanks yall, that is what I was needing. I appreciate your attention on this matter. Thanks a million.

[bodiebill]

I have been using Winchester white box from Wal-mart. It is reasonably clean and accurate, best price anywhere.
the Wolf ammo that I have used is dirty.
I reload with Unique and would like to find something just as accurate but cleaner.
Any reload tips???
Bill

[Teufelhunden82]

no reloading tips here but I definitely agree on the Walmart Winchester white box!! It's pretty much all I use, until I can find similar ammo for less. Hasn't happened yet!

[1911Sooner]

I don't know if you guys have an Academy Sports and Outdoors or not but they sell Cci blazer 9mm for $3.86 per box.

[chuckshoun]

Wolf ammo eats guns. Use it with that thought in mind. It's the Russians' way of getting even with us (for whatever you think they are getting even for).

[TheProf-TX]

Wolf ammo eats guns. Use it with that thought in mind. It's the Russians' way of getting even with us (for whatever you think they are getting even for).

Agreed - I only use it in my Colt AR15 for plinking and even then I clean it ASAP icluding the gas tube.

[Dean Hoffmann]

I've heard of two instances lately in which broken extractors were blamed on steel cased ammo. While I didn't see either of them, the logic sounds right. The steel case, because it does not contract as a brass case does after firing, hangs a bit longer in the chamber and puts more stress on the extractor. The same is true of aluminum cases, but in that case the extractor just tends to tear through the rim. If there is the slightest irregularity in the chamber, it is probably enough to make either of these casings hang just enough to cause problems.

[usajeep1]

Bodiebill, I load .45acp and Unique with excellent success. For CCW, I use 7.7gr unique behind a 185gr. Hornady XTP/JHP. VERY devastating. This round travels at about 1050fps, and is around 19,000 psi. It is a hard load though IMO. For range shooting, I use 6.0gr of Unique behind both 185gr and 200gr Hornady XYP/JHP(850-900fps). I like the 200gr bullet better for seating purposes (it is longer), but for CCW you just cannot beat the accuracy and the ballistics of the 185gr... Try them out for yourself and see what you think...jeep...

[ray]

I noticed that the residue appeared dirty and gummy - at the same time I have reservations about running steel cases through the weapon.

The difference in cost just did not seem worthwhile - especially if you buy ammo 500 rounds at a time.

- ray

[jsmosby]

I don't understand the big deal about "dirty" ammunition. I shoot Wolf or any other off-the-shelf round I can get at a cheap price. At this moment containing expenses and having a great time at the range is my priority; and I am! I've got about 850 rounds through my SA MilSpec now without any problems other than a slide stop adjustment that some of you helped me correct. If I need to replace an extractor after I burn-up the 1k rounds of Wolf I just purchased, so what? That's easy. The gun is over the top fun and a cheap keeper at that.

[Dean Hoffmann]

I think that the objection to dirty ammo, at least in my case, has more to do with residue trapping grit and grit subsequently grinding away at the moving parts of the weapon. I don't know of any study that has documented this, but I was taught in the military that dirty guns fail. My observation of the residue from Wolf and some others is that the residue is about as gritty as toothpaste, and I wouldn't want to grease my gun with tooth paste and promote premature wear. IMHO, there is enough junk trapped in the gummy residue of Wolf to cause this, and so I stay away from Wolf, plus there have been an inordinate number of broken extractors that reportedly occurred while firing steel cased ammo. I just looked through a few ads, online and in mailings, and Wolf .45 230gr FMJ is between $6.99 and $8.00 for a 50 rd box. I routinely buy Remington or Speer on sale for about $7.50 and occasionally Sellier & Bellot for less than that and they are all much cleaner than Wolf, and are brass cased. You just have to shop around. I am basically a cheapskate where practice ammo is concerned, but not to the point of using rounds that can be detrimental to my weapon in the long run, and certainly not in my self defense ammo.