Boresnakes are worthless....

[FlYFiShErMaN]

My .02,
I was issued a bore snake by the Army to use on our M4 and M9s. They are very useful in the dusty environs we are currently deploying our forces. A shaving cream brush, tooth brush and a bore snake go along way over there for the quick clean every night. Once carbon and led are applied, then I agree with most on here. Nothing beats a properly applied, rod cleaning with a brush and many patches. By "proper" I mean using a brass or nylon bore guide. Nothing else jacks up a barrel like a nicked or worn crown. I have even been known to use an expended shotgun shell, with the primer pocket drilled out to protect the crown when cleaning my M-14. When possible, I will always clean a barrel from the breech/chamber end. From the rear, you still have to worry about beating up the throat with a miss applied metal cleaning rod.

 

[JcMack]

I swallow one every six months then when the string shows itself, I give it a good pull...sure beats hydra-colon therapy...

Do you dunk it in a Martini first?

 

[pharmer]

I occasionally use a pull-through which is only .060 weedwhacker line with a knot on the end, which I keep in a small plastic zip-lock bag, and then only to pull a patch with bore cleaner or oil through the bore until I get home.

This is why I come here. A brilliant solution from a resourceful mind. As for the boresnakes, to me they are like the mops that come with a new S&W. Somewhat useful, but better alternatives abound. Joe

 

[SWID]

I only have about 20 of them. Since I can't run a patch through a revolver barrel from the breech end I use one when I think I'm finished.

They are also quite handy when you are changing from one load to another or you just want to go outside and have some fun without spending an hour smelling #9.

Bob Shelen has said that cleaning has worn out more barrels than shooting. I don't know if he's still around and too tired to Google it.

 

[cmort666]

I use nothing but Dewey coated rods, brass brushes, GI cotton patches and Shooter's Choice. I wouldn't waste my time on a boresnake.

 

[plattincreek]

I love them for when we are out in the field banging away at the P'dogs. I save the cleaning rods, brushes and solvents for when the day is done.

 

[chickenfried]

I won't comment on the boresnake since I've never used one. Some mentioned the otis kit. I don't think they're the same. I love the otis. Nice tight patch.

I wouldn't be adverse to trying a boresnake in a pinch. I'm not trying to eat off the dang thing. Just a little cleaning and wipe down, ready for the next trip.

 

[Wayne02]

The knockout system makes more sense to me than the boresnakes because it separates the brush and patch cleaning functions. One pull through brush and one pull through 'patch' snake. This lessons the potential cross-contamination from using a both a cleaning fluid and a protectant fluid on the same snake.

The boresnake has bristles at it's beginning and then the patch/rope. So you put solvent to help the bristles do its thing, then you put clp or other on the snake part to do its thing and you end up with a jacked up mess you are dragging through the bore.

I use my bore snakes dry for use after shooting and then actually clean the gun when I get time using either rods or the knockout system.