Water works fine for any gun. After heavy shooting I clean all my guns with hot water and dawn. I have had some of my guns for over 30 years. None of them have required more than preventative maintenance. I used to use joy before dawn got to be so popular. So many weekends I have shot 800 rounds with a shotgun or 500 rounds with a 22. When you shoot that much just a brush and rag is not going to clean your gun effectively.
By the way, no I don't use a spray bottle. I get a bucket full of hot water and dish washing liquid to soak the gun in. Then I use a hose to rinse the gun off. When I am finished washing the gun I blow dry the parts. Then I lubricate and reassemble the gun. Every time my guns are so clean they can pass a white glove inspection.
I have avoided little nasties that a lot of people experience like the gas tube blowing out on an SKS. None of my revolvers have carriage problems. The only parts that I wear out are shell stops on pump shotguns.