Collective wisdom on cleaning rods, etc?

S

SpyGuy

New member
OK, time to kick the hornets nest... ;)

After reading lots of posts and advertisements (here and elsewhere), there seems to be little--if any--consensus on cleaning rods. Even reputable manufacturers offer multiple choices of rod materials as if they can't decide which is the best!

I've read that stainless steel is good because it's strong and doesn't pick up abrasive particles. I've read that SS is bad because it's too hard on the bores.

I've read that aluminum and plastic-coated steel are good because they are soft and won't hurt the bores. I've read that these "soft" rods will embed with abrasives over time and act like sandpaper.

I've read that brass is a compromise between the two(?). But a compromise could mean it's bad in both aspects.

Then there are the bore snakes. Some have recommended removing the bronze brushes that are built into these.

Speaking of brushes, there are phosphor-bronze, nylon, brass, and stainless. There are also the bottle-brush style and the "cyclone" style.

I've read that you should always clean from the breech. But I've also read that you should clean after every shooting. Since cleaning from the breech can mean a complicated and time-consuming disassembly/reassembly, are these two recommendations practical. I've sure many people ignore one or the other (or both).

Some rods have brass cones that can help center the rod and protect the crown when cleaning from the muzzle (which we're not supposed to do anyway).

Am I the only one confused here by this mess? One would think that if there was truely a "best" way, that the "bad" products would disappear from the market. Are consumers and manufacturers both ignorant? Or do people just agree to disagree?

I've long wondered about these issues. But the reason I'm asking now is that I will soon be receiving my first "serious" (i.e., non-.22LR) rifle, a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch in stainless and I want to amke sure I'm doing things right when it comes to cleaning.

I currently have two Kleen-Bore "Deluxe" stainless rods: a short rod for pistols and a 22-inch one-piece rod which I use for my 10/22 rifles. I have an assortment of jags and brushes in both the bristle and cyclone variety. I have also just recently purchased two bore snakes: one for the .22 and one for the 12ga.

Recommendations?
 
Recommendation: don't worry about it too much.

Most will suggest a one-piece rod because when/if you clean from the muzzle end you'll risk nicking the crown if you're using a screw-together rod.

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to clean the Mini-14 from the muzzle end though, with the rifle upside-down (to keep gunk out of the gas system). I'm sure someone who actually owns one will have something more definite to say about the process though...
 
While I like a teflon-coated rod, I've found it's easy enough to clean rods made of other materials.

For instance, say you have a jointed aluminum rod. Why not check the joints, and file or stone as necessary? Why not periodically take steel wool, and remove any grit that has accumulated?

If I have to clean a semi-auto from the muzzle end, I just run the rod down the barrel and then screw on a tip with a patch. Next step? Pull. The patch doesn't have to be all slobbered up with cleaning fluid, dripping and sopping all over the innards.

Dunno. I just take care of my cleaning equipment like I do all my other tools...

Art

"Life is more fun if you make molehills out of mountains."
 
If you've got the jointed aluminum rods, give 'em to someone you don't like.

I like Dewey (coated) and Pro-Shot (stainless)...

For a mini-14, just use a bore snake or something similar.
 
What to do...?

As the saying goes "Opinions are like a$$holes: everyone's got one and they all stink."

I've heard a number of opposing opinions from a number of 'experts'.

I have concluded that whatever you use, you must simply be prudent and careful and take sufficient care of your equipment and tools to notice any damage or negative affects. And be willing to forgive yourself for mistakes and fix them and go on with life.

Firearms have been used for hundreds of years without the high-tech tools and chemicals we have today, but are also more advanced than ever, as are the associated tools and chemicals. I think we are all still learning. I finally just picked an expert that I like and I follow his advice.

If anything, if you screw it up, you have an excuse to go buy another!
 
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I was told not to use Stainless brushes on carbon steel barrels which is supposedly what Glocks are made out of. So i use a brass brush.

For my AR-15, I use a bore snake. Cut cleaing time in half, simple to use and washable. Besides, what sort of cleaning brushes are harder then the steel that makes up a barrel? Thats the theory I use anyway.

Some one already said it though. Opinions are like azzholes, everyone's got one and they all stink.

Depending on what article you read or who you talk to will determine which item is good and which item is bad.
 
What ever you use, keep it clean. Clean it before, during and after use.

The wear you get from a SS rod is a burnishing of the lands. If the bore is dirty, the dirt/oil make a lapping paste.

Use the previous patch to wipe the rod down, then wipe it dry with a clean towel.

Better yet, after each trip down the bore, blast out the crud with Crud Cutter or similar product. I've used carb cleaner. Blow it dry with compressed air, then clean the brush (really important) with the blaster and go about it again.
 
I prefer any rods & brushed made of softer material than the barrel itself. Even use a bore guide on rifles if you can.

I once had the opportunity to look down the bore of someone's rifle that he used a stainless rod to "bang away at" when cleaning. The first third of the bore was ruined with little semicircular gouges hacked into the barrel from the careless cleaning. Needless to say, it didn't shoot all that well.
 
What I have found works good

Brownells sells a one piece graphite rifle cleaning rod--can't be beat. Bore snakes work good for most of the time. Never use a stainless steel brush on a bore you care about. Use Shooters Choice (and their lead remover) and Kroil and let it soak in the bore for a few minutes only. You can soak in Kroil as long as you want. For a really clean bore, clean it again the next day. Keep your bronze brushes clean or most bore solvents will eat them up; I use Brake Cleaner to clean them during gun cleaning. Nylon bristles are actually very abrasive and can trap grit. Use a bore guide and do what Keith J said.

Regards.
 
Lots of opinions, I'll throw in mine. I have a few rifles, including a mini 14, that must be cleaned from the muzzle. I use a one piece, stainless steel rod with nylon muzzle guide/protector. Like Art described, I pull patches through, chamber to muzzle and wipe the rod clean after each pass. I don't use a brush of any sort in the bore, just a series of patches, first soked with Butch's Bore Shine, dry, CLP, dry, repeat until clean.

If I can clean from ther breach (bolt, single shot, lever, etc) I do, there is less chance of damaging the muzzle's crown.

I do use a bronze brush to clean the chamber, and this is done from the breach. A short, bent cleaning rod can help here.
 
For .30 cal rifles, I use a Swiss army sectional cleaning rod. Works
wonderfully, cannot damage the bore (at each section, there's a
thicker piece of brass mounted so the steel can't touch the barrel.
The brushes are very dense, the last section of the rod where the
brushes are screwed on turns freely, and you can use that last section
as patchholder to push through patches. Replace one of the grease cans
with CLP or some solvent, however, unless you're running on an AR
which needs CLP (or LAW).

A SIG 510 has to be greased, though.
 
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