Brass vs. Plastic Gun Patch Jags (Loops)

[Marine Corps Air]

While most of the forum members may already have their own distinct preferences for cleaning equipment, I'm sharing below some information that I have recently discovered. I've been cleaning firearms for over fifty years. In the past seven years I switched back to the Outer's rifle kits. They are inexpensive and have performed well for me. I have a practice of cleaning, lubing, and applying Renaissance Wax to all of my firearms every six months. I follow the same practice after I return from the range for my "shooters". A few days ago I started work on my rifles and the first one out of the chute was my Winchester .30-.30. I screwed in the plastic gun patch jag, used two small patches, and pushed the rod down the bore. Unfortunately, when I attempted to pull the patches back through to the muzzle the tension was too high and the plastic jag snapped off where it connects to the brass rod. It was impossible to remove the end of the broken plastic jag from the rod so that I could replace it.

Long story short, I purchased a set of four brass gun jags for $9.99. They cover:

Calibers .22 - .29
Calibers .30 - .35
Calibers .35 - .44, and
Caliber .45

Brass is softer than steel, so using a brass jag will not harm a firearm. However, be careful around the muzzle crown.

I also use a Brass Rod Bore Guide.

The plastic gun patch jag was $5.34. Go figure.

This information may be beneficial to you, or not.

Update: I am never in a hurry when cleaning any of my firearms. When I punch patches (and bore brushes too) through the bore I slowly push the patches down the barrel, and then intentionally pause when the patch is about to move in to the breach to avoid damage to any components, especially the recoil shield, firing pin, extractor, etc. I reverse the process when pulling out my patches (or bore brush). I do this for all of my firearms - rifles, revolvers, and 1911s.

In my case I was very lucky. The jag snapped off in the breach as I was puling out the patch back up through the barrel, and the problem was easily corrected. Remove the brass rod - pull the patches and jag out through the breach. However, if that jag had snapped off at any point in that 24" barrel I would have had entirely different, and more complex problems. I'm sure glad that I found these brass jags.

The Good Lord always looks after fools and aviators!

Bill

 

[chief38]

I have not used plastic jags and loops for over 25 years now. The plastic ones never last too long and usually break at the threaded part.

I like the Dewey Brass loops and BEFORE I ever use them I polish off the sharp corners and burrs. I don not think I've ever broken a Brass one.

PS: I dislike Aluminum ones too.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Brass vs. Plastic Gun Patch Jags

Many thanks!! I missed the important point about polishing off any burrs. Glad that you posted this response!! I'll take of this task tomorrow morning!

Bill

The plastic ones never last too long and usually break at the threaded part.

BEFORE I ever use them I polish off the sharp corners and burrs. I don not think I've ever broken a Brass one.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Plastic will work if not over stuffed with material.
They will stand up to copper cleaners........
I do like the brass tips better but you need to clean them at the end of the job with some bore cleaners.

As for the broke tip........
you can heat up a nail or small screw driver and shove it into the plastic, to cool.
You should be able to remove it in a few minutes with a light twisting. some kroil or oil might be needed if hard set.

 

[Pocchr]

Well, I never Push the patch down the bore. Always insert the rod completely down the barrel into the chamber; attach the patch and PULL back, bore to muzzle in all my weapons whenever possible. After doing the Bore Cleaner stuff, I insert the rod completely, attach the Jig and pull back. No garbage gets in the works. Some Rifles you can do this, but then I don't have any Lever Action Rifles, so no problem.

 

[s&wchad]

I use mostly brass jags. I've gone through too many Outers/Hoppe's rods and have upgraded to an assortment by Dewey, Durango and Kleen-Bore. I also use bore guides.

The tip about using a hot screwdriver works great. I'm sure it's been done countless times!

 

[glowe]

I think there is confusion about the term "jag". To me, a jag is not a cleaning loop or visa-versa? Jags are universally used for muzzle-loading guns and are solid brass made in diameters slightly smaller than the bore. Patch wraps around the jag so you do not lose it down the barrel. Patch loops are what are shown in the OPs image and are I would recommend they never be used for Muzzle-loaders, just cartridge guns.

To me brass is ALWAYS preferred over plastic to eliminate the chance of breakage. I don't know why one needs a hot nail to remove a broken plastic loop since you can just push it out? Aren't all barrels other than muzzle-loaders open on both ends?

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Gary,

Thanks. I stand corrected.

I went back to the seller site and the plastic model is listed and described correctly by Outer's as a "loop". The other seller with the brass version incorrectly lists their product as a "jag", which according to Gary's post, is incorrect.

I'll check my cleaning rods later. However, they are brass. IIRC, the male end has external threads and is solid. The female end has internal threads. The "loop" snapped off at the threaded end when I attempted to pull it back up through the barrel of my rifle.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I don't know why one needs a hot nail to remove a broken plastic loop since you can just push it out? Aren't all barrels other than muzzle-loaders open on both ends?

I think the hot nail or screwdriver is used to get the threaded part out of the cleaning rod.

 

[MichiganScott]

Well, I never Push the patch down the bore. Always insert the rod completely down the barrel into the chamber; attach the patch and PULL back, bore to muzzle in all my weapons whenever possible. After doing the Bore Cleaner stuff, I insert the rod completely, attach the Jig and pull back. No garbage gets in the works. Some Rifles you can do this, but then I don't have any Lever Action Rifles, so no problem.

I believe I first learned of this method in the official M16 manual.

I've stopped using brass jags and have switched over to either nickle plated or stainless steel. That way I know the blue on the patches came from the barrel. With a bore guide and a stop on the rod it is almost impossible to damage a barrel.

I do wish someone made loops in stainless. Pistols are the only reason I still have brass loops in my cleaning kit.

 

[oneounceload]

I use jags and they are NOT loops. Mine are brass, round with a tiny spike in the center of the front. They do a great job when used with either Cleanzoil, Safari Charlie's, or basic CLP

 

[s&wchad]

I use jags and they are NOT loops. Mine are brass, round with a tiny spike in the center of the front. They do a great job when used with either Cleanzoil, Safari Charlie's, or basic CLP

That's what I use. This Midway/Tipton set was about $15 and handles most handguns and rifles.

 

[cmj8591]

I believe I first learned of this method in the official M16 manual.

Why wouldn't you just clean it from the breach end? When I was in the Army, if you were seen putting a cleaning rod into an M16 from the muzzle end you would have probably been given an article 15.

 

[mstem]

I've found that Pro Shot cleaning equipment is the best out there.

 

[MichiganScott]

Why wouldn't you just clean it from the breach end? When I was in the Army, if you were seen putting a cleaning rod into an M16 from the muzzle end you would have probably been given an article 15.

I misread Pocchr's post. What the M16 manual shows is to break the rifle, apply a patch to the cleaning rod's loop, drop the non-looped end down the bore from the chamber end, and finish off by pulling the rod out of the muzzle.

 

[Bill Raby]

I use the brass jags for all the guns. Works better than the loops. Last one I bought had a warning on the label saying that it causes cancer in California.

 

[stansdds]

I use the brass jags for all the guns. Works better than the loops. Last one I bought had a warning on the label saying that it causes cancer in California.

Everything causes cancer in California, I'm thinking the state sits on cursed ground.

I use brass jags or patch pullers. The plastic ones always seemed too flimsy and prone to breaking.