How To Clean A Revolver: 12 Steps - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Clean a Revolver PDF download Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Video Questions & Answers Things You'll Need Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Bryan Villella

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Bryan Villella. Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. Bryan has nine years of professional experience and is an NRA and Florida State Certified “K” Instructor. He leads certified training courses necessary to get licensed through the state to work in the private security field. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 145,265 times.

Cleaning a revolver is a necessary part of gun ownership. Keeping your firearm clean improves accuracy, ensures it fires when needed, and maintains its value.[1] You can either put together your own cleaning kit or purchase one from your local gun shop.

Steps

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  1. Step 1 Make sure the gun is unloaded. 1 Make sure the gun is unloaded. With the gun pointed in a safe direction and with your finger off the trigger, hold the gun by the grip. Using your thumb, push the cylinder release to open it up. With your other hand, reach over the top of the gun and push the cylinder out. Check to see that there are no cartridges in the cylinder or the chamber. Push out and set aside any bullets.[2]
  2. Step 2 Lay the gun and supplies on a workspace with a clean, lint-free blanket. 2 Lay the gun and supplies on a workspace with a clean, lint-free blanket. Keep all of your supplies close by. You don't want to be walking around, dirtying your hands, or constantly pick up new things that may bring unwanted dirty near your gun. Wash and dry your hands once you have everything ready to work.
    • If you've never cleaned a revolver, check out this list of necessary cleaning supplies.
    • You can also purchase pre-made cleaning sets at most gun stores, usually for around $50.[3]
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  3. Step 3 (optional) Cover up the rear cylinder opening with a sock. 3 (optional) Cover up the rear cylinder opening with a sock. The rear cylinder is the part above the trigger, where the hammer hits the chamber to fire a shot. Wrap an old, long sock around this opening to prevent cleaning brushes from getting in and ruining the revolver.
  4. Step 4 Dip the right size bore brush into your cleaning solvent. 4 Dip the right size bore brush into your cleaning solvent. Bronze bristle brushes are less aggressive and are fine for removing powder residue. Steel brushes are more aggressive and can wear on the barrel, but may be useful in situations with old, caked-on, and hard deposits. Stick with bronze unless you have a reason to use steel. Nylon brushes are also available, but bronze is a good compromise in most cases.[4]
    • If you are shooting jacketed bullets, you will have some copper-colored gilding metal in the bore. To remove copper (gilding metal), you will need to use a solvent designed to remove copper. Your gun dealer can guide you in selecting this. Copper solvent will eventually dissolve the bronze bristles on your brush. In that case, you can use a steel brush (sparingly) or a nylon brush while you are using copper solvents.
    • If you are shooting non-jacketed bullets, you may have lead in the bore. Your gun dealer can guide you in selecting a product to help remove lead.[5]
  5. Step 5 Slide the brush into the barrel, letting it twist naturally with the gun. 5 Slide the brush into the barrel, letting it twist naturally with the gun. Revolvers are twisted inside, which spins the bullet for greater accuracy. You want to follow these grooves naturally with the brush to clean deep inside of them. Push all the way through the barrel, then pull the brush back through the other way. [6]
    • Keep the brush in the center of the barrel, only applying light pressure.[7]
    • Sometimes bore brushes are simply called wire brushes.
    • Give the revolver a minute to soak if the rifle is extra dirty.
  6. Step 6 Remove the brush and attach a clean lubricated patch to the patch tip. 6 Remove the brush and attach a clean lubricated patch to the patch tip. After the bore brush, get out your cleaning rod and attach a clean patch. If it isn't lubricated, dip it in cleaning solvent and run it through the barrel gently. If it comes out very dirty, get a new patch and repeat.
  7. Step 7 Use 2-3 dry cleaning patches to dry out the barrel and remove any last grime. 7 Use 2-3 dry cleaning patches to dry out the barrel and remove any last grime. Once you've finished with the solvent, get as much out of the barrel as possible. That said, remember that you still need to be gentle, going with the flow of the barrel instead of forcing it down.[8]
  8. Step 8 Remove the sock and clean the muzzle and rear cylinder. 8 Remove the sock and clean the muzzle and rear cylinder. If you don't have a cleaning kit, a rag or toothbrush with some cleaning solvent will be perfect. Lightly scrub away the outside of the revolver -- hitting the in and outside of the cylinders, the trigger, the muzzle, and rear cylinder. Pull the extractor rod out of the center of the cylinder and clean that out as well.
  9. Step 9 Use your bore brush and some solvent to clean up and down each cylinder. 9 Use your bore brush and some solvent to clean up and down each cylinder. Push all the way through, then pull the bore brush back. Make sure you go through all the way, taking your time. Hold the gun so that it rests on the muzzle, allowing the solvent to drip harmlessly to the floor. Add a little more solvent for each cylinder.[9]
  10. Step 10 Use the cleaning patches -- one with solvent, 2-3 dry -- to clean the cylinders just like the barrel. 10 Use the cleaning patches -- one with solvent, 2-3 dry -- to clean the cylinders just like the barrel. Remember to replace them, and use extra patches if they still come out dirty. When done, make sure your unlubricated patches get everything dry.
  11. Step 11 Put a small amount of gun oil on a clean cloth and wipe down all metal surfaces. 11 Put a small amount of gun oil on a clean cloth and wipe down all metal surfaces.[10] Rub down the entire exterior of the gun with a small amount of gun oil. Avoid the hand grips as well as inside the barrels and cylinders. Wipe in small circles, adding more oil when necessary.[11]
  12. Step 12 Wipe off all excess oil with another clean rag. 12 Wipe off all excess oil with another clean rag. You want it to be shiny, not oily or greasy. When done, you can finish the cleaning with a silicone gun cloth, which will leave the rifle as shiny as new.[12]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question I found a revolver; how can I find out the caliber? Community Answer Community Answer It should say the caliber on the barrel of the gun, or you can Google it by typing in the details of the gun you found. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
  • Question I just got an old S&W snub nose 38 Special, serial # R73551. What year was it made? WikiToadWatcher185 WikiToadWatcher185 Community Answer That's probably a Model 10 M&P. The "R" prefix began in 1969 at "R1xxxx" and went through to the 1980's. "R7xxxx" means it's after 1970, so it's likely '71 or '72. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need

  • Revolver
  • Bore brushes
  • Gun cleaning patches
  • Gun Solvent
  • Gun oil
  • 2-3 Clean rags
  • Silicon gun rag

Tips

  • Ideally, a gun should be cleaned after every use. This will ensure it provides you with peak performance when needed and it will not be unduly affected by debris causing wear and tea on the gun.[13] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Some solvents should not be mixed, though you can do this occasionally. For example, Hoppes #9 is a great powder and powder residue solvent, but it is not designed for copper or lead. Sweet's 7.62 Bore Solvent is useful for copper. If you intend to use more than one solvent on the same firearm on the same cleaning, check with your gun dealer, or be sure to remove all the residue of one before using another. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 4
  • Cleaning a pistol or revolver can be accomplished with very few pieces of equipment. An “Outer’s” kit has more than everything you need. The solvents and oils make a mess and so a designated area the size of a card table and covered with butcher’s paper and an old one color bed sheet are almost perfect. Cheap ammunition, like cheap gasoline, gets things dirty more quickly. Powder and lead residue require solvents to dissolve buildup. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, even when you don't think it is loaded Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 0
  • Never handle any firearm when impaired due to drugs, alcohol, sedatives or pain medication, or when not completely mentally alert and of sound mind and thinking. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0
  • There is not a safety on your revolver, so do not put your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to fire. Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 3
  • Always assume the gun is loaded unless you have just inspected it. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. ↑ Bryan Villella. Lead Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ http://www.survivopedia.com/how-to-clean-a-revolver/#
  3. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/08/19/how-to-correctly-clean-gun/
  4. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/08/19/how-to-correctly-clean-gun/
  5. ↑ https://www.theboxotruth.com/threads/educational-zone-46-cleaning-and-lubricating-a-revolver.334/
  6. ↑ http://www.howtocleanthings.com/sports/how-to-clean-a-revolver/
  7. ↑ https://www.theboxotruth.com/threads/educational-zone-46-cleaning-and-lubricating-a-revolver.334/
  8. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/08/19/how-to-correctly-clean-gun/
  9. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/08/19/how-to-correctly-clean-gun
More References (5)
  1. ↑ Bryan Villella. Lead Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ http://www.howtocleanthings.com/sports/how-to-clean-a-revolver/
  3. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/08/19/how-to-correctly-clean-gun/
  4. ↑ Bryan Villella. Lead Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview
  5. Videos provided by hickok45

About This Article

Bryan Villella Co-authored by: Bryan Villella Lead Firearms Instructor This article was co-authored by Bryan Villella. Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. Bryan has nine years of professional experience and is an NRA and Florida State Certified “K” Instructor. He leads certified training courses necessary to get licensed through the state to work in the private security field. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely. This article has been viewed 145,265 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 17 Updated: March 9, 2026 Views: 145,265 Categories: Handguns Pistols and Revolvers In other languages Spanish Portuguese French
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Reader Success Stories

  • David Wood

    David Wood

    Apr 23, 2017

    "I inherited a S & W 32 Long from my father-in-law. I need to clean it and this video showed me what I need and..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Bryan Villella Co-authored by: Bryan Villella Lead Firearms Instructor Co-authors: 17 Updated: March 9, 2026 Views: 145,265 100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote David Wood

David Wood

Apr 23, 2017

"I inherited a S & W 32 Long from my father-in-law. I need to clean it and this video showed me what I need and..." more Peter Reiss

Peter Reiss

Jun 27, 2021

"Excellent review. Never thought of the sock in these past 60 years!" P. T.

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