Range Rod?

[jimmyj]

Hi:
A fellow shooter at the range had a metal rod in his gun box that he refered to as a "Range Rod".
Its purpose was in case of a "Squid" load or a stuck case, the rod was used to clear the bore.
Is this a commerical item, or a home made item?
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[JayCeeNC]

Usually homemade out of brass.
Also known as a "Dammit Stick."

 

[Crazy K38]

or the oh you mother bleeper stick

 

[Centerfire]

Squib Rods.

Brownells have them to cover the handgun calibers - in a kit or individually.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1251/Product/SQUIB_ROD

 

[Alk8944]

As Centerfire said, it is typically referred to as a "Squib rod". to push out bullets if you have one that squibs.

A "Range rod" is something different and for a totally different purpose, to check for gross timing errors in a revolver that are significant enough to cause the gun to spit lead due to mis-alignment of the barrel and charge holes.

 

[NFrameFred]

I have even seen guys who make a difference in having an additional rod referred to as a "match" rod. Their "range" rod verified alignment/timing to a standard, looser degree and the "match" rod was machined to tighter tolerances, showing any slight variation in barrel/chamber alignment. As has been said, it identifies out of time cylinders and verifies adjustments.

I had a brass "range" rod machined for my PPC guns with a stainless steel "handle"/weight on one end that doubles as the rod used to drive out the (hopefully) infrequent suib.

 

[Evil Dog]

I keep a piece of oak dowel in the bottom of my range bag for "just in case". Haven't had to use it very often (maybe 3 times in the last 5 years) but it beats having to head for home to clear a squib load.

 

[zercool]

A Darn-It Stick is an "always" for my range bag. Lowe's or your local hardware store should have 3-foot pieces of 3/16" brass rod for about $3-4. I rounded off one end with a Dremel and grinding wheel and use it for my rifles. 3/16 will work on .22 and up.

 

[bettis1]

The DeJammer, designed by Mas Ayoob is one of the best.

http://ayoob.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Ayoob&Product_Code=DJ



It also is effective for use with Kubotan techniques.

Bob

 

[oldRoger]

Alk8984 and Nframefred have the correct definition IMO.
A Range Rod or a Match Rod is a precision turned rod designed for checking tolerances. Probably not the best thing to use for barrel clearing since you may damage it.
I like wood dowels, cheap, available in all sizes, and very unlikely to cause damage. Many carry a stiff cleaning rod with an assortment of brass or plastic jags, this also works.