I need to do a thorough cleaning of the chambers on the cylinder of my .38 Model 36. Will a regular bronze .40/.41/10mm bore brush work as well as one of Brownell's chamber brushes?

Maybe, maybe not. Even a bronze brush that was originally the right size for the application will wear out quickly. Try the brushes you have and see how well they clean. A worn .44 brush would probably be perfect and offer more resistance.

The Brownell's brushes you are looking at are stainless steel? I dunno about that, I stick to bronze brushes.

No. Recommend Brownells (Hoppes) tornado spiral brush for cleaning chambers.
The lead/carbon residue comes flying out in a few passes; won't scratch.
From some posts I've read, you'd think chamber residue is impossible to remove; it's easy with the right brush.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0...search=tornado

__________________
Science plus Art

Don't use stainless steel brushes in bores or chambers.
These are for use on guns so badly neglected, you have nothing to lose.

The Brownell's BRONZE chamber brushes work faster and better then over-caliber bore brushes.
The chamber brushes are not only over-size, they're also made of a much stiffer bristle than bore brushes.
These make short work of cleaning fouling from chambers, and there's no risk of damaging a chamber.

I tried some of the chamber brushes from Brownells, and while they performed as advertised they also shed bristles like crazy. Nothing like stepping on one that was down in the carpet with your bare feet either. They are the only product that I ever bought from Brownells that I have been disappointed with.

I guess I have the dissenting opinion. I use Brownell's bronze brushes but a .40 bore brush ("special line") for .38/.357 chambers. They are a tighter fit than the proper "chamber" brush. I quit using "chamber" brushes because the .45 chamber brushes are always .44/.45 brushes and too loose to be effective in .45 chambers. I just started using bore brushes, .475/.480 for .45's. What you need to "reasonably" clean chambers is probably proportional to how many rds you shoot between cleanings. What makes "short work of cleaning" after 50 rds doesn't after 1000+ rds. I prefer my bore brush, piece of cleaning rod, solvent and drill motor.

I have used stainless chamber brushes for 20 years without any trouble.They work great and I don't think I have ever scratched a gun with them.

I too use the Brownell's "chamber" brushes and YES they do shed very quickly. I called them up to let them know and they sent me a few replacements at no charge. A very nice gesture indeed, but they still shed and only last 2 times. Even though their life expectancy is short, they do work very well. And yes I have also stepped on a few of the bristles in the shop. OUCH!

Guess what? Me too!

The best part is you don't need solvent when cleaning the chambers. Then I wash the brush in soapy water to reuse it again in the future.

Of course someone with destroy their cylinder with one so the advise is to use it with care. I brush my chambers 2-3 times and go to the next hole. Clean and quick!

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

I used the .410 Tornado brush as a .38 chamber brush for a long time.
I lost my little outfit of a .410 Tornado with thread adapter turned down to enter the chamber on a S&W factory aluminum rod and have not replaced it. I went with the six in one nylon cylinder brush for quick cleanup between IDPA match stages. But I think the Tornado was better.

I agree with TNDave, Ive used stainless chamber brushes in my PPC revolvers for years, and no additional wear. You just cant go crazy, a couple times in and out and the chamber is clean. One gun is 20 years old and still mics out fine. Bob

I use a .375 rifle brush to clean the chambers on my .38's and .357's