My Springfield is a mess
 

About a year ago my house was broken into and my Springfield Xd 40 was stolen along with the wifes jewelry. Yesterday I received a call from the local PD and it was recovered. Problem is the thug put it to his head and pulled the trigger. Detective says it a real mess but if I want it,come on down. Other than complet disassemble and good scrubbing with solvent is there anything else that would be better for cleaning it up. Plan is to clean it up and trade it for something else as the Xd has already been replaced and I really don't need two. Thanks

I cleaned up a S&W Model 36 revolver that had been used the same way.

Looked and worked fine once I was done.

Easiest way is to clear it, strip it down, and throw it into a parts washer or ultrasonic cleaner.

Cheapest way is a good spraying with a hose, followed by application of a can of carb cleaner and a toothbrush. Best do that outside where the wife or the kids will not see the runoff.

Don't forget to lube everything well when you are done and function test it before you carry it again or sell it.

And these days, I would probably wear gloves, goggles, and a mask when cleaning it.

HTH.

TR

Thanks Reaper, I had thought of using carb cleaner. The parts washer is good. I can get my hands on one,just not sure the neighbor would want it used for that. Naturally I would replace the solution. Never hurts to ask. Thanks again

At least you know it works well..... :D I would not worry too much about the leftover particles, unless it's fresh nothing is still alive. If you're a bit paranoid just drop it in a bowl of water with a capful of bleach for 1 minute....;)

Everything they said,,

ALSO,, I would get a release from the LEO's in the form of a statement that the pistol is free and clear of any crime investigation. The next time a LGS goes to record it in a sale could boomerang back at you.. Weapons that are recorded as crime evidence get recorded in the FBI(and probable now in NSA, homeland security, CIA, & TSA) and of course in the local state crime data base.

Just a CYA..

Why WOULD you want to get rid of it..?? It already has one bad-guy to it's credit!! Hold onto that one. :lifter

The beauty of an Ultrasonic is you can but a plastic bag filled with cleaning solution and parts into it and not contaminate the water or solvent in the tank!!

Sort of like buying a new car. Looks good,rides good,smells real good. But you just don't know how reliable it is until you get a few trips under it. I'll get it cleaned up and flip that coin then. I had that gun for a long time. It literally went everywhere I went.

Excellent, honesty have considered that end of it. Just figured get it back ,clean it up and move on. I'm thinking with a statement like that attached to the gun, the value probably just hit rock bottom. Definitely have to think on this. Told PD I would be back in town first week of March. The detective was shocked when I told him I wanted it back. He said in 25 years no one has ever want a gun back that has been involved in a suicide. I guess it would be different if some innocent person or child was involved. But a know thug (as it was put to me.) I want my gun backand now with documentatiion . Thanks.

Did you receive an insurance settlement for the theft? That might also be a complicating factor. Otherwise - a pair of rubber gloves, a suitable brush, and a large pan of hot soapy water to get the big chunks off. Finish with the ultrasonic cleaner - both cycles - the cleaning solution and then the lubricant solution. The lubricant cycle will ensure all moisture is displaced. The nice thing about XDs there's not usually a big rust problem, even following extended abuse.

What about Hydrogen Peroxide.? It works great for removing bits of flesh and blood on a baseball bat... Does H2O2 affect metal?

I did file an insurance claim through State Farm. The adjuster said that if it was recovered I could buy it back. The price would be based on the condition. At that time I was hoping it would show up in a pawn shop somewhere. I'm shooting for a pre-cleaning price. No pun intended

And carpet! :munchin

Glad to hear it's recovered...and that society does not have to worry about your

An insurance company should have no interest in firearms, their business is insurance, not resale of property. If you stress the fact of it's ghastly grisly haunted history and lack of knowledge that it was used in other crimes, it should lower the price that they'll buy it for. If your wife has reservations about a haunted pistol being in the house. Do you have a picture that they could see of the uncleaned pistol?

You know someone on the forum might have interest in it...If I shot .40 I'd take it.