Stripping metal figs is way simple: acetone (nail polish remover).
Plastics you have to be careful with because the plastic can break down, get soft or even melt depending on what you use: metals don't.
You CAN use simple green, Pine Sol, CSC on metals too...but why?
If acetone didn't melt plastics I'd use it for stripping everything because it's lightning fast. Unfortunately, acetone does eat plastic like a fat man at a cook-out. Green stuff ends up like goo as well.
So toss your metal figs in a old jar and pour in some acetone. Let it set for maybe 5 min or more. Swish around. The bulk of the paint will be loose by now. Use a old toothbrush and scrub the paint off. Most figs will be stripped by now.
One caveat: some figs are painted badly and gunked on so thick that it takes longer. I had a set of scout snipers that I swear they must have used testors paints on. Even in acetone it took a day of soaking and multiple scrubbings to get clean.
As always, your mileage may vary.
Cheers!
[P.S. If you use your Mom's or sisters nail polish remover (which is what acetone is), you should replace it. Best if you ask to get some of your own. Thankfully my wife paints minis as well and gets the BIG BOTTLE of it because she knows she'll use an ounce of it, and I'll use half the bottle on figs. As always, if you use somebodies stuff, be sure to replace it and ask permission before using somebodies stuff...and all that.]