Lead in Cylinder Chamber Throats

nm_slim · 2025-10-02T10:38:10-0400

Living and learning… So, shot a lot of Magtech SW Long LRN ammo and old PMC wadcutters in a Ruger 327 SP101. Filthy ammo which left a lot of leading around the forcing cone and some in the bore. I used a Lewis Lead Remover to clean the bore and Birchwood Casey to clean around the forcing cone. Cleaned up well.

What alarms me now is the amount of leading in the throats of the cylinder chambers. I went after those with Kroil and JB bore cleaning paste that I applied to felt pellets and ran through the chambers. Then I used the Lewis Lead Remover. Then I cut strips of Birchwood Casey lead removal cloth and, with a wood dowel, shoved them into the chamber throats from the forcing cone facing side of the cylinder and twisted away. They came out black and slowly got lighter with each successive strip. After all that effort nothing seems to have worked! The leading is still there. The leading in the throats looks like real tight rifling that twists - see attached image.

I am going to try Chore Boy wrapped around a .22 bronze brush next.

If any of all y’all have other suggestions/ideas I am all ears. FWIW, I have a Taurus 327 that I have shot lead cast bullets, as well as FMJ, with and there has never been a problem with leading in the chambers.

Thanks for your time.

jayhdavis · 2025-10-02T11:20:17-0400

You can try Sharp Shoot R No-Lead lead remover. Don't use near brass or copper.

michael.nault65 · 2025-10-02T11:45:34-0400

It looks kind of cool :⁠-⁠)

An over size bore brush on a straight rod chucked in a hand drill ran at slow speed is what I use for stubborn throat fouling. Solvent or Kroil will help dislodge it. A tornado brush also works.

Skyhunter308 · 2025-10-02T12:37:40-0400

michael.nault65 said:
An over size bore brush on a straight rod chucked in a hand drill ran at slow speed is what I use for stubborn throat fouling. Solvent or Kroil will help dislodge it. A tornado brush also works.

In addition to the remedy in the attached quote, I've had good luck with this product cleaning cylinder chamber throats and the area around the forcing cone and the top strap on my revolvers.
I just run a wet patch into the chamber, let sit for a bit, and then run an oversize bore brush thru the chamber. Then a dry patch. Repeat as necessary.

nm_slim · 2025-10-02T14:32:41-0400

I took the gun to a local gunsmith to ask about cleaning options. He took one look at the chambers and said the ridges in the throats are from machining, not leading. I guess it makes sense; they didn't QC it too well and it's a Lipsey's exclusive so one would think they'd be on top of it. Calling Ruger to get a shipping label and send it back to get 'er worked on/new gun/whatever.

rickclark28 · 2025-10-02T15:30:06-0400

Good luck with Ruger. I took a look at my chambers just out of curiosity. All are smooth. Nothing like what you have in the pic. My SP101MC has been excellent, and I hate to see this for you. I do know Ruger has good customer service and will get you fixed.
*Let us know what they say, and any updates are welcomed.
*Just curious here on how they all missed this.
Rick

nm_slim · 2025-10-02T16:10:57-0400

Thanks. I called, got the shipping label, and am fixing to drop it off at FedEx.

Out of the four Rugers I have bought in the past nine years, two have had to go back to Ruger. They fix the problems pronto. A Colt SAA I got two years ago had to go back to Colt, and a Dan Wesson 1911 I got three years ago had to go back. Maybe it's more cost effective to do shoddy QC and hope no one notices? I dunno.

21st Century Minuteman · 2025-10-02T20:30:10-0400

I've never been aware of this problem - the rifling or whatever it is.
All my revolvers shoot filthy but they clean up okay. Seems CLP does a good job and there's a foam that works pretty good too.
I sit there and brush on them a while - rinse, repeat

ngashooter · 2025-10-03T01:37:13-0400

It’s like they never finish reamed those chamber throats. I am sure Ruger will fix it, but it should never have shipped out like that.

nm_slim · 2025-10-03T22:27:39-0400

And the gun is a Lipsey’s Exclusive, if that makes a difference, but, I guess not!

Sr40ken · 2025-10-03T21:52:04-0400

That’s some ugly machine marks! Wow.

Blacknstainless · 2025-10-03T23:00:52-0400

Not a picture of lead dude.

Sr40ken · 2025-10-04T16:09:45-0400

And if those throats aren’t finish size there’s some pressure going on beating on the cylinder when fired!

Lead in Cylinder Chamber Throats

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