Cleaning semi-autos: Rod or bore snake?

[tarbo]

Probably a pretty newbie question, but I'm looking at getting a cleaning kit before heading out to the range in order to break in the new P22. Is it simply personal preference, or have you folks had better luck with one versus the other?

[grousemaster]

Probably a pretty newbie question, but I'm looking at getting a cleaning kit before heading out to the range in order to break in the new P22. Is it simply personal preference, or have you folks had better luck with one versus the other?

A bore snake doesn't glean a bore very good. It's fine for the range or hunting trips, etc.....but you need a brush and solvent to get the lead out

[wrench]

I use a rod and patches, brushes, etc on long guns, and bigger bore pistols. I've got to admit, though, that 99% of the time I use a boresnake on .22's. They just don't get that dirty.

[gman1868]

I use a brush when it's dirty. But first I use some foaming bore cleaner (I like Birchwood Casey) to let it do most of the work to remove the fouling.

[Thunder71]

I use a bore snake almost exclusively, my barrels are always super shiny and clean when done.

[EJSG19]

Probably a pretty newbie question, but I'm looking at getting a cleaning kit before heading out to the range in order to break in the new P22. Is it simply personal preference, or have you folks had better luck with one versus the other?

for me .22 LR guns fall into their own category. If I EVER clean the bore, its just a bore snake. My .22's simply shoot great, with very little cleaning, and they function fine. The action needs more attention than the bore.

All centerfire guns get the full treatment with a rod, brushes, patches, patch jag, etc. But I clean these bores by visual inspection and patch inspection.

You'll find your comfort zone when it comes to cleaning, and it probably won't agree with 70% of the people who give you cleaning advice. Main thing is you keep your guns in top condition, and top shooting condition. For most guys, how you get there is a little different.

[MNBlackjack]

I use a rod most of the time. When I used to shoot my ARs a lot I would use a bore snake at the range.

[rukwikenuf]

snake on my pistols, and a snake first followed by rod on my rifle. the way i see it, if the bore snake isn't getting enough fouling out from the barrel of a 1911, it's not really going to affect the accuracy THAT much. i say that because a 45acp is a round that isn't famous for it's ballistic superiority.

[snlit3]

I use a bore snake almost exclusively, my barrels are always super shiny and clean when done.

I agree. I can't spot anything but shiny cleanliness after using bore cleaner and a bore snake.

[jgalt]

I use a bore snake almost exclusively, my barrels are always super shiny and clean when done.

I agree. I can't spot anything but shiny cleanliness after using bore cleaner and a bore snake.

So, if after using the bore snake, you were to put some clp on a patch and run it through the barrel on a rod, do you think it would come out clean?

I'm not questioning the use of a bore snake - I use 'em myself. Rather, I'm questioning whether or not assuming a "shiny & clean" barrel in any way equals a clean barrel...

[XDM45]

I use a bore snake exclusively on my pistols. It just doesn't make sense to me to use a rod and patch since it gets clean-dirty-clean-dirty-clean-dirty when you go in and out several times. It's the same reason I don't take a bath and I only shower instead. It makes no sense to me to sit in clean-getting-dirty water versus showering where the dirty water goes down the drain and I'm not sitting in it.

Using a bore snake, it's a one-pass-through. I also don't use super cheap ammo (Wolf, Tula, etc) and I clean after every range trip[ as well, so my guns don't get or stay that dirty anyway. It works for me. YMMV.

[Pezhead]

I've cleaned my guns and you can keep running a patch and almost always find a trace of grey on it.
Everyone is going to have an opinion, just like the _______ vs____________debate.
I own both and they both come in handy.

[ex-LT]

I've started using this on my handguns and hunting rifles. I use a combination of rod and bore snake on my shotguns.



Otis Technology

[Thunder71]

I'm not questioning the use of a bore snake - I use 'em myself. Rather, I'm questioning whether or not assuming a "shiny & clean" barrel in any way equals a clean barrel...

Until someone proves vastly different, I'll go with it.

[jgalt]

I'm not questioning the use of a bore snake - I use 'em myself. Rather, I'm questioning whether or not assuming a "shiny & clean" barrel in any way equals a clean barrel...

Until someone proves vastly different, I'll go with it.

There is a difference between "clean" and "clean enough". Don't be surprised when some of us refuse to conflate the two...

Now, if "clean enough" is all you need that is certainly fine - it is for me on a couple of my guns. Just don't try to convince us that the two are the same. Some of us know better...