Revolver bbl cleaning: breach-to-muzzle or vice versa?

[SFShep]

Just purchased my first S&W revolver, a model 442 2.5" bbl model. Getting ready to bring it to the range and try it out. Though, this being my first revolver, one thing I was wondering:

Is it okay to clean the barrel muzzle-to-breech using a standard metal cleaning rod? Or should it be done backwards breech-to muzzle using a flexible cleaning rod like the one pictured here?

Or does it even matter?

 

[rwsmith]

Take your pick....

Some swear by the flexible 'bore snake' and others despise them for different reasons. As long as you don't bung up the crown of the barrel, a standard rod is fine. Some people will tell you that you have to have a rod coated with something so as not to scratch the barrel or mess up the grooves and lands, but me personally, I can't see messing up a barrel with a cleaning rod unless you really try. If you have some precision barrel it may be justified, but not normally.

 

[Bob T]

I picked up a pair of brass cleaning rods at Brownell's a few years back and really love them.

 

[Rpg]

Revolvers are cleaned muzzle to 'breach'.

Don't fiddle with trying to do things backwards.

 

[SFShep]

Revolvers are cleaned muzzle to 'breach'.

Don't fiddle with trying to do things backwards.

Yeah I tried to fix that typo after I opened the thread. But unlike the body of the thread, I can't edit the title once it's posted.

 

[SFShep]

Some swear by the flexible 'bore snake' and others despise them for different reasons. As long as you don't bung up the crown of the barrel, a standard rod is fine. Some people will tell you that you have to have a rod coated with something so as not to scratch the barrel or mess up the grooves and lands, but me personally, I can't see messing up a barrel with a cleaning rod unless you really try. If you have some precision barrel it may be justified, but not normally.

Yeah I've heard the Bore Snake is like the "fast food approach" to cleaning a barrel. But the flexible rod in the picture actually isn't a Bore Snake in the traditional sense. It's a metal cable wrapped in a soft rubbery material that has a "female" screw end for screwing a bore bristle brush into and pulling it out through the barrel. It's made by Otis Gun Parts.

It's what I use for my Mini-14 which can't be cleaned breech-to-muzzle with a solid rod.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Cleaning from breach to muzzle is best because it avoids buggering up the crown. However, a false crown will help prevent that. Or a bore snake or similar device. Or just being real careful to not bugger up the crown while cleaning from the muzzle end. All that being said it isnt' that easy to really mess up a crown with a brass or aluminum rod.

 

[MichiganScott]

I usually find it easiest to simply use my fingers to guide the rod and protect the crown. I tried muzzle guides years ago and found that they are simply too much trouble in most cases.

http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/cleaning-rods-amp-accessories/muzzle-guides/coated-rod-muzzle-guide-prod18695.aspx

 

[shocker]

I have a plastic cleaning rod that came with my Glock, has a slot for patches and a threaded end for a brush. Long enough for 4-5" barrels. Removes all anxiety about cleaning from the muzzle. Won't fit in a 22 bore so for that I use an aluminum rod muzzle end with care.

From which end should chambers be cleaned?

 

[Hapworth]

The flexible cables (not to be confused with bore snakes) are nice for long guns; for revolvers they're unneeded but if you like them there's no reason not to use it.

Short barrels to me are easier to clean with brass rods.

Either way, what matters most is a quality cleaner and careful work.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have been cleaning my (many) revolvers muzzle in since I got my first one in 1972 and have experienced no problems. Of course you go slow and easy.