The only gun of mine that I use brake cleaner on is my little Mk2 target pistol in SS, and even then I use the non clorinated kind. The only reason I do this is to remove the caked up behind all the moving parts greasing lead shavings target ammo seems to produce, after many bricks through the gun. Just to much of a head ache taking all the pins and mechanisms out and back in that tiny frame. The only "strong" solvent I use in my Encore is windshield washer fluid. Since that and a little bore brushing does the trick for me no sense upping the solvent annty.