I take the vent liner out when I clean my flintlocks, and then apply a little anti seize to the threads when I put it back. I also pull the lock and wipe the stock out real good with some Murphy's Oil soap and water (which you can use to flush the barrel free of fowling with,as well ). I do not pull the tang. I do clean the locking point on the tangwith Q-tips and solvent to make sure there is no fowling in there.

I actually have a brush and I take the whole lock to the kitchen sink and mix up dish water and soap, then scrub the thing all nice and clean. After that I spray it off with some brake cleaner and wipe it all dry. Use Q-tips on the back side and clean around the springs and such to make sure all the fowling is gone. Then I give the back side of the lock a spray of heavy duty automotive Silicone spray (NAPA and Wal Mart carries it and its cheap). After I have the barrel clean, I put the rifle back together and wipe it all down with Sheath...