Stupid?
Mind you, when it comes to cleaning and preservation of our firearms, there will never be a STUPID question. Even if the subject has been debated on an on, there will always be a newbie needing some good answers to the problem and this can raise new answers to the question.
But now, let's kill the dragon: corrosive ammo are only so due to the nature and chemical composition of their PRIMERS.
They contain some reactants, namely potassium chlorate and perchlorates which generate minute amounts of potassium and sodium chloride. These, mixed with the porous combustion residue, are very hygroscopic and they will absorb and retain ambient humidity. This salt brine in contact with your barrel's surface, will begin to corrode it immediately if the air is humid.
Now, because these salts are
very water-soluble, they can be flushed very quickly from the metal just by a good drenching with very hot (boiling) water.
Hot is good because it augments the solubility of the salts AND heats the metal to promote quick evaporation of the remaining water. Regular cleaning and lubrication AFTER this step will insure the metal is protected.
The salts do NOT need to be neutralized by any chemical reaction.
Some say ammonia contained in Windex helps. Yes, it is true: it helps get any oily residue out that could protect salts from the water.
But remember that ammonia is also a strong alkaline corrosive. It reacts with almost any metal if left in contact long enough. It also dissolves copper, which is why you find it in copper-cutting solutions for cleaning barrels.
So, any way you do, FIRST flush these salts out then clean and oil that gun, that's all it needs.
Good luck!
PP.
