Which do you Prefer and why???
i have a 9mm shield and want to know what the best cleaning method would be

ROD! IMHO, a bore snake becomes a cloth sanding strip because the residue from expended primers is extremely hard and abrasive. The same is true from some powders. Combine that with most users not cleaning the bore snake correctly and frequently enough the use of a bore snake becomes a huge HONE on the rifling and accelerates the wearing out of a barrel. And another factor against bore snakes; a bore snake stuck in a rifle barrel is far more difficult to remove and when done almost always causes damage to the rifling. IMHO, the only real use for a bore snake is in a smooth bore shotgun barrel.

To be fair; So will a rod if used incorrectly. But, it is far simpler to wipe the cleaning rod off between strokes down a barrel

I tend to use a bore snake on my 17 caliber rifle and a rod for everything else.

thanks for the input im new to shooting and want to learn the right way to do things

I have and use both...Boresnake for expedient use on the range, rods for serious cleaning. And Big Cholla is correct...clean your boresnake!

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No good deed goes unpunished.

I actually use neither. I use a flexible rod, it's actually a cable with fittings so that standard brushes and jags can be used. I have an Otis brand but there may be others. I feed the cable in from the muzzle, attach whatever attachment to the cable after it comes out the breech and pull it through. (pushing doesn't work very well). I don't like pushing bore and chamber residue back into the action.

I like Dewey's cleaning rods...protective coating and ball-bearing rod rotation makes things go well. I always use a bore guide for rifles and clean from the action end, pushing debris out the muzzle.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Only used one once, a .22 caliber used on a .22lr rifle. Maybe I'm too old fashioned but it didn't feel right to me and it hit the trash can. I feel as in most things there really is no quick and easy methods to do things, if your going to do it do it right. As usual results do vary and I could be dead wrong!

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Stay safe people!

I prefer both in my rifles. Using the bore snake first pulls the heavy stuff out from the chamber to the muzzle and out, as opposed to pushing it back into the action. Then use rod/patches to clean whats left.

In pistols I use the rod, chamber to muzzle.

I use Otis multi-cal cleaning kits (and buy whatever size brushes I need that are not in the kit) rather than a boresnake. I rarely, if ever, use a rod.

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Thread Killer.

I don't use a bore snake but I see their utility for field cleaning. For a thorough cleaning I use a one piece rod and a button style jag that makes one trip through the bore.

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Quando omni flunkus moritati.

Bore snakes have their uses, but serious cleaning isn't one of them.

Expedient field use, sure, but not a real cleaning.

Some good answers above and we all have our choices. Since I never let mu guns get THAT dirty the snake does fine. Cleaning from the breech end is ALWAYS a better choice. JMHO-- all I know is when my son-in-law went over to the sand box a few years ago in his first package I included a hand full of snakes, wasn't long before they were an issued item.

I use a bore-snake at the range when the barrel is still warm. Just make 2-3 passes with it. Then when I get home I use patches and a standard cleaning rod.

P.s. thanks for the information about cleaning a bore-snake, I had no idea they could do damage to the barrel.

I really do not shoot rifles that much. As far as .22's and shotguns I much preferr a bore snake. Regarding centerfire rifles, I've never used a bore snake but only rods. Will continue to use rods because that's what I have.

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Forum consigliere

Go to Otis Technology and explore the website of Otis Technology to get a good overview of gun cleaning products.

What Bkreutz said is spot on about the proper way to clean a firearm.

I have a Boresnake for field use, good for quick wiping of the gun barrel after hunting in the rain.

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

As others have said, I too, use the snake at the range for initial primary cleaning. When home, taking the time to clean, and lube the firearm properly occurs at the bench, with rod and patches and jags.

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Stand your ground, 1775

Always use a rod

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Can my S&W Mdl 10 shoot +P

Rifles should be cleaned from the breech end, not the muzzle end. Bold guns are cleaned with a rod, the M1 gets a snake. I've used both on revolvers, but the snake seems to make quicker work of it.

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Common sense isn't so common.

I'm a snake guy. I pull them through my rifles and pistols. They are quick and easy and get most of the **** out of the barrel from the breech. Every third or so range trip I'll do a good cleaning with a rod. Now realize for me a range trip might be 100 rounds per caliber/weapon. 300 to 400 rounds between a real cleanings with a snake as a maintenance cleaning, works for me. I'm not shooting dinner at 300 yards, I'm shooting paper or whatever at 25 to 100 yards. And my snakes get a good wash every 3 or 4 uses.

How do you wash a boresnake? Thanks!

Bore Snakes are great for a quick superficial field cleaning - but when the gun is gotten home it should be properly cleaned with a rod, bronze brush, cotton patches and solvent.

If you THINK a gun is really clean after using a Bore Snake, just see for yourself what comes out after a conventional cleaning (after the Bore Snake is used). Bore Snakes have their purpose but it should not be confused with a final cleaning before storing the gun - just my opinion of course.............

We use a bore snake on our shotguns at the range if we run more than like 50 rounds thru one. I just bought one for my .35 Rem Marlin. I'm sure I'll use it at some point. If it wasn't 50% off I wouldn't have thrown it in my cart.

Never tried to use one on any of my handguns. I'm a beast of habit and have always used a rod on them. I use care and have not issues.

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paws for friendship

Put them in a lingerie bag and throw them in the washer.

Works for me, anyway.

May want to do that while the wife is out of the house, though - just in case she doesn't approve.

Beemer, I only have 2 and when they need cleaning I put them in a bucket with a little dish washing soap and hot water and jump in by hand.