I Would like to hear what is popular in cleaning equipment.
Do bore snakes work?? I still use a one piece rod with brush and patch attachments.
Asking because I need to buy new/clean supply for both riffle and handgun.
Hoppe's still works for me too but let me know what you are willing to share.
Thanx

I don't clean after each shooting but I do run a RamRodz, soaked in Ballistol through the barrel, around the feed ramp, etc. Seems to make major cleanings easier. It takes about one minute per gun for this quick "touch up".

I've gone back to rods,bore brushes,brass brushes and patches (though a chunk of wadded up paper towel works too) and whatever solvent I have on the shelf.Soaking really crudded up stuff for several days in a sealed container of ATF and acetone seems to work too

I use bore snakes on all my rifles, but for my revolvers i use a rod with bronze wire brush followed by rod with oiled mop. Tooth brush for forcing cones and other hard to reach areas. I like Birchwood Casey's gun oil and Rem oil. Light coat of oil on all exterior for rust prevention in gun safe. Sometimes I use Ren wax for long-time storage, but I usually only use Ren wax on knife blades that are not stainless steel.

There is a myriad of cleaning fluids and tools out there. I use a brass rod, copper brush, cotton patches, Hoppes #9, and SLIP 2000 lubricants. I hesitate to say that one brand works better compared to another as I have not tried ALL of them. I can only tell you what works for me.

I have a few caveats here. The first, I don't use stainless steel brushes to clean my firearms. These type brushes may harm cylinder chambers and/or the bore of the firearm. Second, I only use products that are specifically formulated to clean/lubricate firearms. Others may have had good fortune when cleaning with other compounds. I am happy for them. These may or may not work for their intended purpose short or long term. I'm no SME. No big deal if all you do is shoot on the square range. If, however, you carry a weapon as part of your job description or otherwise go in harm's way, a malfunction as a result of improper or inadequate lubrication could be a show-stopper. Lastly, I try to minimize exposure to products that are petroleum based or otherwise contain chemicals "known to cause cancer in the state of California" (or Pennsylvania). Those warnings on the bottle are what we in LE call "clues".

I don't get my shorts in a knot by insisting on a specific brand of cleaner, lubricant, cotton patch, or bore brush to complete my mission, which has changed dramatically since September 2017. This works for me. My recommendations here are not "the" way, they are "a" way. Try different products and have at it.

HTH

JPJ

I myself also use Ramrodz (wooden sticks with caliber specific sized cotton on end) because they are very convenient. I pick up a few bags in 22 cal. then use them in larger bores with a shotgun sized patch. I shoot registered trap every week so I always have a good supply of shotgun size patches.Works perfect with some Ballistol soaked on first one down bore or cylinder chambers. Then a few runs with dry end or patch. Then a wipe down with some rem oil before going back into safe. Some that I do not shoot often get a good application of renaissance wax before being put away.

See now that's funny; I grew up using gasoline to degrease everything and then clean your hands after working on a car.

I am learning. First I've heard of Ramrodz. I still like rod and brush over bore snakes but maybe that's because I did it that way forever. Even have the free ones Smith used to give you.

I like to carry a bore snake when hunting in the field for that rare time your bore "might" get full of mud, snow, water, what have you. Ever wonder when you lean your rifle against a tree if that little fleck of bark went down the barrel? Otherwise, I clean with a standard rod, brush and patches.

__________________
Some collect art; I shoot it!

Snakes are a quick and easy "cleaning in the field" and they are easy to carry.
Rods, brushes and slotted tips are needed for more detailed cleaning .
I keep both around.
You can do a lot of cleaning with good old WD40 or Kroil .
My favorite heavy duty cleaner is a home brew called Ed's Red Bore Cleaner (search the term for recipe ).
The new Hoppe's Elite Bore Cleaner has pleasant smell....but it's pricey, my wife doesn't mind the smell ...if that's an issue.
Letting any bore cleaner , WD40 , Ed's Red, Kroil or any penetrating oil , soak long enough to get under the fouling is the secrete to cleaning.

I sometimes question the value of these horribly expensive cleaners...are they really worth it ?
Gary

I'm not particularly picky about the products I use.

I use a rod that breaks down and fits inside the handle. I use cotton patches (I tried synthetic ones...didn't like them). I use Break Free CLP for cleaning and Gun Butter oil for lube. I'm not attached to either product; they're just what I have on hand.

I may be overly cautious, but I use gloves and safety glasses when cleaning my guns.

I haven't tried snakes, but I can see their utility for quick field cleaning. I may give them a try some day.

I would like to try some better bronze bore brushes, though. I can't remember what brand I use (Kleen Bore...?), but I do get the occasional stray strand coming off. I think I remember a post that said Brownell's brand brushes were good in that regard.

I use bore snakes for field expedient cleaning. I much prefer a good cleaning rod with needed brushes, swabs, patches, etc for serious cleaning. I typically clean after every shooting session. Probably not necessary, just force of habit.

I bought a hoppes 9mm cleaning kit and a spray can if ballistol. I use a small cat litter tub to clean in.

You'll love a bore snake until the paracord pulls out of the snake and leaves it trapped halfway down the bore. I still use 'em, but be prepared for it to happen. I replace mine regularly . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Bore snakes are for Field cleaning or a quick clean when a gun will be shot again very soon. They do NOT do a thorough enough job IMHO. They are way better than nothing and do clean about 70% or so, but for a "proper cleaning" when you are to store your gun back in the safe, they lack thoroughness. If you doubt what I am saying, use a Bore Snake, and then clean the same gun once again with a rod, bronze bore brush, 100% cotton patches and a good solvent. When you see what still comes out you will "get it".

We all have our favorite cleaning tools, brushes and solvents but since you asked, mine are:

Brownell's 100% cotton patches bought in bulk.

Brownell's Bronze Bore Brushes bought in a dozen pack.

Dewey Stainless cleaning rods with brass jags and loops.

Rig #2 Oil, Hoppes #9 (if really dirty), or Remoil to clean.

A good Bore Light to see inside barrel and cylinders.

A good rubber "bar mat" to hold all solvents and oils and so your guns don't get scratched.

I DO use Bore Snakes while in the Hunting Cabin and intend on going out into the Field once again either later that day or the next day. Also when hunting not many shots are actually fired so the gun is not that dirty.

After being into this hobby a while you will quickly find it is way smarter and less expensive to buy cleaning supplies in large containers, bulk bags of 1,000 patches, and bulk packs of brushes. They do not go bad and buying in bulk will save you lots of money. ALSO..... IMO the carded bore brushes like Hoppes, Outers, etc. are not even close to the Brownell's quality Bronze & Nylon ones. HINT: instead of using pistol length brushes on Revolver Cylinders, use the Rifle length ones. You get about 40% more cleaning with each stroke of the bore rod due to the longer length. Just be aware not to use rifle brushes on revolver barrels because they usually will not fully make it through the barrel and so they will bend if reversed within the barrel.

I find USGI .30 rifle chamber brushes useful for cleaning cylinder chambers.

Google "stuck bore snake". You get 69,300 hits, mostly for smaller diameter bores.

I'll stick with one piece rods and solvents. I've started using the newer solvents like Wipe-Out. You apply, walk off, and patch out the mess after letting sit over night. Depending on how dirty your gun is, you may either be done or have to reapply. Sure beats using a brush and working on your Popeye arms.

Like chief38, I buy my patches in bulk from Brownell's. They have patches in 12 different sizes. You can find one that will fit any bore size just right.

Although I have no use for cleaning in the field, I have an Otis kit just in case I get the oddball "Oops!", and have to remove a snow or mud plug.

I am new to the forum, but I did a search and found this thread and wanted to ask a quick question.

I bought cleaning patches at Bass Pro a few weeks ago when my supply of Outer's patches ran out. The patches from Bass Pro are called "Range Maxx." I used them for the first time today, and small threads come off the patches and can lodge in tight places in my guns. I definitely do not like this. The Outer's patches never did that.

My question is for those of you who have used the Brownell's patches, do you have any issues like that? I bought quite a few patches at Bass Pro, but I suspect I am going to have to throw them out. I will have to order more (can't find Outer's locally) and am trying to decide whether to order Outer's or Brownell's.

Thanks for your help!

Hmm. Like they unravel? I only use patches in my barrel. Otherwise, I use a brush and cleaner elsewhere. Maybe they're catching on things and coming apart? I'd imagine my hoppes ones would too, they're cut from cloth with nothing to stop fraying.

Thanks NewToGuns17.

The patches have loose threads at the edges when they are taken out of the package. I admit I use the patches in several areas besides the bore, but the loose threads are not due to hanging on sharp edges, etc.

Cut your own patches from old shirts, etc.

Gun cleaning products are constantly undergoing change so I can't recommend any specific product as being the most popular. Suffice to say, in my experience, all these products work if they are specific to gun cleaning. I will recommend staying away from steel cleaning rods and go with those made of softer metals or carbon. Also, for rifles, a bore guide specific to your rifle is a handy tool to have. I clean after every range session and I'm still using cleaning rods, brushes, solvents, and gun oils but then I'm also a very senior shooter.