Bore Snakes

Guns.com Vault
Gather App
R

reedybart

Member
Joined
May 30, 2025
Messages
124
Reaction score
72
I posted on Rimfire Central & got a slew of responses all over the board. What is you'als consensus do bore snakes wear out???
 
Eventually. But I’ve been using them for well over 10 years and haven’t worn one out yet. When they get several uses, I just drop them in a bucket with grease cutter (Simple Green/water mix), rinse and dry. Good to go next time. Of course, I have multiples of each used, so no waiting while a popular/common one may be drying.
 
I use them and so far they work very well.

I'd expect any cleaning tool that includes the brush may wear out over time. Guess I'll find out when the barrels aren't sparkling clean.
 
I know a lot of people like and use them but it just seems to me that you're dragging debris and fouling back through the chamber and barrel over again with each pass .....almost like reusing toilet paper I think !
As you might have guessed I am not a fan of them .
If I just want a quick cleaning I'll use a patch on a pull through and replace with a fresh patch after each pass.
While they seem to be quite popular they're not for me.
 
I use them in the field and also as a first pass when cleaning after shooting, then use the patch or long Q tip swabs. Works well.
 
Ceapea said:
Eventually. But I’ve been using them for well over 10 years and haven’t worn one out yet. When they get several uses, I just drop them in a bucket with grease cutter (Simple Green/water mix), rinse and dry. Good to go next time. Of course, I have multiples of each used, so no waiting while a popular/common one may be drying.
Click to expand...
 
As field expedient cleaning tool, on a rifle with a chrome lined bore, and where accuracy isn't the primary concern, they work fine.

For anything else and any other purpose, use a well made cleaning rod, jag and brush.
 
Empe said:
I know a lot of people like and use them but it just seems to me that you're dragging debris and fouling back through the chamber and barrel over again with each pass .....almost like reusing toilet paper I think !
As you might have guessed I am not a fan of them .
If I just want a quick cleaning I'll use a patch on a pull through and replace with a fresh patch after each pass.
While they seem to be quite popular they're not for me.
Click to expand...
Use a bore snake and follow with a patch. You won’t find anything to worry about.

They work very well.
 
Ceapea said:
Eventually. But I’ve been using them for well over 10 years and haven’t worn one out yet. When they get several uses, I just drop them in a bucket with grease cutter (Simple Green/water mix), rinse and dry. Good to go next time. Of course, I have multiples of each used, so no waiting while a popular/common one may be drying.
Click to expand...
I also have multiples of each.

In my range bag and cleaning area.
 
There's a couple of firearms I use them on, the M-1 Garand and the M-1 Carbine. That's because I prefer not to clean from the muzzle. If the crown is worn by cleaning rod action, accuracy will suffer. At first I used snakes on my Chicom SKS, but with partial disassembly, it is easy to clean the rifle via the chamber end.
 
I use them for quick cleaning, or when in the field and just want to run something through the bore after exposure to weather or what not. I don’t consider them a replacement for rods patches and jags. I find them to work great on shotguns.
 
I've used one for my shotgun. I watched a very serious cowboy action competitor use them on the spot to field clean his lever gun and sixguns after shooting black powder.
 
Been using them since they came out and don't see any appreciable difference in performance, rust prevention or obvious cleanliness in any of my guns. Yeah, I'm old and lazy and don't "detail" my guns after each shooting session like I used to.
 
I like them for .17 and .22 RF. Rods that small with tight-fitting patches can flex and rub against the bore. I probably clean more often than necessary, but starting a match with a clean bore gives me another point of consistency.
 
For some sort of rare in-the-field dire situation, a bore snake might be useful, but it's hard to imagine anyone with quality cleaning equipment (Dewey rods, brushes, jags, etc.) using such a contrivance as a bore snake for routine cleaning.
 
I love bore snakes. Sometimes I do a quick lazy cleaning with one a 22. Otherwise I usually use solvent, bronze brushes and a few patches to get the wet gooey stuff out. Then rather than run 15 patches through until one “comes out clean” I run the snake through twice. Especially with pistols or revolvers. I figure there is about 50 times more surface area on a bore snake than on an individual patch. The bore snakes don’t get overly saturated that way and as somebody said you can clean them. (Hint. Don’t run them through the washer and dryer. At least while the wife is home)

It makes sense to my simple brain and I’m gonna keep using them.
 
:unsure: so you're shooting lead and copper-jacket lead down a barrel @ 900fps+, and you're telling me that a dirty bore snake is going to ruin the bore!
Are we thinking the bore snakes are getting metal shavings embedded in them? If so your firearms have bigger problems.

I like my snakes very much, and clean them after a few cleaning sessions. I also patch the barrels with a CLP until I get a clean patch(usually 2-4 patches). YMMV.

Haven't worn out any of mine yet.
 
You buy a certain caliber bore snake for $15 and have it for a long time. I have had mine in 45 caliber for at least 10 years. Probably 15. The brush isn’t great but I use a separate brush on a cleaning rod and am not concerned about the brush imbedded in the bore snake.

Also I am a tight wad and usually cut patches out of old tshirts. I still think a bore snake is worth the $. Of course I don’t rely on it alone and have all the other stuff too.

It’s funny that a bore snake can cause so much controversy. 😂
 
We use them at the range following morning shooting - promptly - just to get rid of junk in the magazine well, on the loading ramp, and in the bore before we head for home. More thorough cleaning follows once we get home.
 
I replaced my bore snakes after 15 years.
Pretty much the only thing that has cleaned my bores in 20 years have been my snakes. I run them through at the range before I leave and my bores are all bright and shiny. I don't try to fix what ain't broke. What ever works for others is great. I don't decide what is best for them
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
S&W model 1&1/2
Replies
23
Views
659
darrickducky
D
Model29-26.5
Snap caps??? Snake oil? Or?
2
Replies
53
Views
2K
BLACKHAWKNJ
B
kamloops67
Angry visitor at the creek today
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
Glenn R. McMannly
Glenn R. McMannly
J
Angel pierced her left ear!
Replies
14
Views
570
Greyman50
Greyman50
rwsmith
Strange news about a snake bite.
3 4 5
Replies
144
Views
8K
eveled
eveled

Latest posts

Back
Top