Cleaning a Top-break/Schofield questions

[Whiskey James SASS#85199]

Howdy All,

Just picked up a pair of 5" Schofields, Navy Arms.  The guns were clean before I put 200 rounds through them.  I pulled the cylinders off and gave em a decent cleaning.  I'm just wondering if the cylinders should always be pulled?  Also, there was some gun grease on the ejector rod.  What kind whould be good to replace what I cleaned off?

Thanks,

Whiskey James

[Montana Slim]

I pull my Smith & Wesson DA's cylinder every time...but I only shoot 100% natural & organic BP in it 

If I were using a smokeless propellant, I'd likely not clean after each firing, but when I did clean, I'd remove the cylinder.

Regards,
Slim

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I use smokeless in my top breaks (I own and shoot 5 different models, all by Uberti).

I use CLP.  Each match I run the barrel and swab the cylinder charging holes.

About every 3 matched, I pull the cylinder and take down the hinge.  The base pin and ejector assembly both get dirty.  You'll be amazed at how much junk gets down in the hinge as well.

[COLT_45_SAA]

I pull the cylinder every time with smokeless.
Then I put a lite coat of CLP around the moving parts.
The barrel block screws intially when new are a bear to get loose though.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I typically will take out the cylinder after 3-4 trips to the range and what has helped keep the cylinder from binding has been having the cylinder arbor polished.  I shoot only smokeless too, but lead bullets can discharge lots of bullet lube which can act like a magnet for powder fouling.  I use Ed's Red to clean my gun and CorrosionX to lube it as it seems to prevent too much gunk from accumulating.  I do this with all my revolvers especially my SAA pattern guns as they get gunky too if shot over 100 rounds or so.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have only shot my New Model #3 a couple of times now. Both times with Black Powder. It will never see any Smokeless as long as I own it. I am taking a bit more care with it than I am with my Colts, as it is twice as old as I am. I am planning on removing the cylinder every time I use it and completely cleaning all the soot off.

[Will Ketchum]

Good idea Driftwood.  David Chicoine said in one of his books that he ahs seen more break top original Smiths ruined by using smokless.  This doesn't mean they blew up but rather that the frame was stretched from the pressure.

WIll Ketchum