I bought a bore snake for my M&p 9, am I supposed to run it through dry or should I spray bore cleaner in the barrel first? Thanks.

You'll probably get a few different answers, but what I generally do is squirt some CLP on the brass area, then another squirt further back on the weave, and pull it through 3 times.

I have bore snakes for every caliber i shoot, but I only use them as a final pass after a proper cleaning with a brush and patches.

I spray the inside of the barrel with CLP and let it soak for several minutes, and then pull the snake through about 8 times. I don't spray anything on the snake.

I'll stick to a rod and patches. It's always worked. Dragging dirty boresnakes thru the bore seems counter-productive to me.

Boresnakes are machine washable. Simple answer to the dirty concern.

I spray a real cleaner (no CLPs for my firearms, ever) on the bristles and run it through a couple times if I need a field expedient wipeout after leaving the range. They are all that I use on my shotgun and AR barrels, for lots of reasons. Pistols tend to get a more thorough cleaning once I am out of the field expedient need setting. On the other hand, most people clean way too much. On an AR, I use paper towels to wipe out the majority of crud, use a patch or two with cleaner to get more, dry patches, lube, drive on.

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NHI, 10-8.

I use Boresnakes for most of my guns, including my MilSurps. I just dip them in Hoppes #9 and run them through until the bore looks clean and shiny.

I've rarely had to do more than that for the bore. I clean the rest of the gun with Hoppes and lubricate as recommended with oil and grease.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I run a bore brush with some Hoppes #9 through the bore, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it a few times with the bore brush, then use the bore snake for the final pass. It works for me.

I use the boresnakes at the range as soon as I am done shooting. I pull it through dry 3 or 4 times to get the majority of the crud out before i pack up for the day.
At home I still use a rod and a jag or brush, but since I started using the snakes at the range, cleaning takes much less time at home.

For a quick clean, it can't be beat, but if you need to depend on your gun (ie duty or SD gun, not a range toy) then I would reccomend pulling it apart and giving it a proper cleaning with more than just a snake.

I wash my BoreSnakes using a 2 liter soda bottle, little Dawn dishwashing soap, cold water-cap on, agitate by shaking. Cold water rinse and sun dry.

FWIW I do remove the bristle brush on .17 cal before using- I believed the early horror stories of stuck .17 cal 'Snakes.

My primary use is field expedient when high volume of fire necessary to keep from getting over run by suicidal colony varmints [that would be prairie dogs to the city boys].

Best.

Good idea, I will have to try that...

Thanks for all of your replies.

GREAT IDEA! Gotta go dig a 2 liter soda bottle out of my recycle bin.

Another "thank you!" here - don't know why I never thought of this method, as it's really similar to the way I clean the cones of my BP guns (only there I use hot water).

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Now go make God proud...

That's exactly how I use a Boresnake too, amazing how easily the crud comes out when the barrel is still warm from firing. I often don't need to use more than Q-tips, solvent, and a cleaning swab at home to fully clean the barrel out, then I finish with my non-range Boresnake.

Nice method Old Unk! I keep a 2nd 'clean' Boresnake for a cleaned barrel and one nasty one for dirty barrels, but believe they could both use a bath with your recipe here. Thanks for sharing!

I bought a Boresnake for my Ruger22/45. I am glad I bought just for .22. (I only did it, because these are so hard to reassemble) Don't have it (the gun) any more! Give me traditional cleaning methods! Bob

I've just thrown my boresnakes in the washer, works great.. just don't let the wife know!

I use them for all my long guns and pistol barrels but find that the old rod/brushes/patches are faster and easier for revolvers.

Great tip on the 2 liter "washing machine" - easier than the rear chewing if I get caught using THE washing machine!

I keep two. #1 is used only with bore cleaner. #2 only with gun oil as a final pass. When one, or the other , gets dirty I wash it.
A good rod and bronze brush are necessary for serious cleaning. The snakes are for quickies.
Gary