About after how many cleanings do I toss out my bore brush and start using a new one? Between all of our 9mm's I have used the same bore brush over a dozen times. I clean it off after each use by spaying a bunch of M-Pro 7 cleaner on it and scraping it back and forth on my rag towel. I was just curious. Thanks.

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M&P15 Sport,9Pro,9c,Shield9,45

Just replace it when it is no longer tight inside the barrel. It should last a pretty long time.

If you used Frog Lube you would not need a bore brush. Give it a try.

You said what, about not useing a bore brush to clean your barrel. Frog lube will not stop lead and copper buildup in a barrel. You can over use a brush, but you still need to use it to get the buildup out from time to time. If you run a patch down the barrel until it comes out clean, and then chase it with a brush, then run a patch down it, tell me it comes out clean! You will have a dirty patch every time. But a brush can wear out a barrel over a long time. But rounds fired through it will wear it out faster than the brush ever will.

Use a high quality brush like Otis and it will last you nearly forever.

I'm using Kleen Bore products and have been very happy with them. Thanks.

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M&P15 Sport,9Pro,9c,Shield9,45

I've been using brushes in my barrels well over 50+ years and have NEVER wore out a barrel. The steel in a barrel is WAY harder than a brass bore brush. I have old "pass me down" weapons that shoot just as good as they ever shot and they have had brushes used on them for ever and still shoot good as new.

And NO,you can't over use a brush either. You use it until the gunk stops coming out on the patch.

The Otis cleaning kits are one of the best going for "do all" kits.I have one for 5.56 & 45 cal. One for 5.56 & 9mm and one that ranges from 17-12 guage. I like the kits because they fix in a range bag.

I purchase bronze brushes by the dozen. They are not expensive and will not ruin the barrel. Take a brush in your hand and run your finger over the bristles as to push them down. They should spring right back up if the brush is good. If not, discard the brush for a new one. Most of the time, the tip of the brush will be missing bristles. I am an advocate of MPRO7 and I run the cleaner through the barrel and see what is the color of the patch. Then I wait a few minutes and run the bronze brush, if powder residue, three times completely through and back. Then I run a clean patch and see what is the color of the patch. Remember if the patch is blue or green, you have copper in the barrel and when you use a copper solvent, you must use a nylon brush or the copper solvent will destroy the bronze brush. After you are finished with the brushes, soak them in the lacquer thinner and rinsh them off with water and dry them. They will last a lot longer but continulously check them for wear and missing bristles.

Nick

Thanks for the advice. I typically use Break-Free CLP in my bore and will sometimes use Hoppes #9 if it has been a while since it has been cleaned or if I have shot a bunch. I love to use M-Pro 7 on the rest of the gun and the outer part of the barrel. What I have been doing lately is to spray some M-Pro 7 on the bore brush when I am done using it and then while still attached to the rod use my rag towel to scrape the brush on the towel back towards me. I will do it a couple of times and this seems to perk the bristles back up while cleaning the gunk off of the brush.

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M&P15 Sport,9Pro,9c,Shield9,45

Two tips.

One, rinse the bronze brush off thoroughly when done. Most bore cleaners will attack bronze.

Two, stay the heck away from the stainless steel brushes - they're too tough for the bore.

I start out with a new brush on my 45-- when it gets worn go to the 44-38-9mm-380-32- 25-22 & then recycle it with worn out brass. A 5 gallon bucket will bring $100.

And here I thought only cheap Yankees did that kind of thing...