Somebody asked me recently for the recipe for Ed's Red gun cleaner. We have been making it for years, it works great and is a modern adaptation of a recipe found in Hatcher's Notebook. It does not specifically remove copper fouling, but does such a good job of removing everything that the copper and lead sticks to in the bore, a quick swab with Sweets 7.62 or JB bore bright is all that is needed.
I make it up by the gallon and soak my pistols in it for long periods with no harm. Google "Ed's Red" and you will find lots of info, but here it is in a nutshell.
1 quart of cheap Automatic Transmission Fluid (gives the distinctive red color, and is essentially hydraulic fluid, leaves a light coating of non-sticky lubrication behind)
1 quart of Mineral Spirits, Alaphatic or Odorless.
1 quart of Kerosene, usually found in the Camping / Sporting goods section of your local box store.
1 quart of Acetone, which is actually optional, it makes the cleaner a bit faster acting, but evaporates quickly and gives it a bit more odor. I have always included it.
DISCLAIMER: There are all sorts of finishes / materials used on modern firearms, test first to see if this cleaner is compatible with your parts. No cleaner is totally safe on wood, treat your wood good! Gentle cleaner, and a little lemon oil or furniture polish is what I use.
Step 1: Re-read above disclaimer.
Step 2: Buy a small Gallon gas can, Like they sell for Weed Whackers or Chainsaws. Write on it in big letters BORE CLEANER so you don't use it in the above tools.
Step 3: Mix the above ingredients in equal parts.
Step 4: Enjoy a great firearm/ tool/ part/ shop cleaner for about $20 bucks a gallon.
I bought a 9x13; brownie pan at wally world that came with a plastic cover. I can put a fully disassembled 1911 in the pan, fill her up until all the parts are submerged, and let them soak for a bit.
After the parts have soaked for a bit I don a pair of nitrile gloves, and fish out the parts, give them a quick wipe down, usually that is all that is needed, maybe a stubborn piece of gunk needs a tooth brush or a q-tip. Any solution left behind will provide a light lubrication and does not get sticky like WD-40 or some others.
After all the parts are out of the solution, I put a funnel in the gas can, throw a paper coffee filter in the funnel and pour it back into the can, it continues to work for a very long time, my current batch has been in use for nearly 2 years. When it gets too dirty for your liking it still works great on car parts, rusted bolts, etc. I wipe down the cast iron tables on my Table saw, Belt/Disc sander and drill press after use with a few drops, works great at removing that pitch / glue that blades and router bits accumulate over time, and keeps them from rusting, also great on hand tools and pliers.
Has not harmed the paint, on sights or the Fiber Optic inserts after days of soaking, I of course remove the wood grips. I fill a squeeze bottle with the unused, clean solution and keep it in my range bag works great on a patch, or to wipe down a gun after shooting.
Give it a try! You'll thank me.
