The one main reason I use a soap and water bath is because I am cheap! That's right, save a buck anywhere I can. And I can do a soap and water bath and have that barrel and breech threads almost spotless. Just a few simple cleaners after that and I am done.

I never thought of the steel wool pad.. I just use that plastic because it does not scratch the gun, is easy to clean and rinse out. And then the lid goes back on the plastic coffee can until the next time I need it.