[incursion]

I just got my first shotgun (Beretta 391) and was wondering what I need to clean it. I plan to get a bore snake. Should I get the one piece or the two piece Dewey coated rod? Do I need a jag? I was thinking about getting the Kleen Bore aluminum jag. Are 3" square patches big enough? Do I need a bore guide?

[kudu]

For a shotgun buy a Tico-tool made by Outers. IMO its the best bore swab out there.

www.outers-guncare.com/care/tico.html

Use it in conjunction with a Bore Snake to get the plastic deposits out of the bore.

[Fed168]

I use patches made by Southern Bloomers and they work pretty well. Second the Tico tool.

[HSMITH]

No need for a bore guide and a jag is a luxury you don't have to have.

Head down to the local second hand clothing store and buy some pre-unmade patches if the wife cannot supply enough, they know what you need just ask for cleaning rags. A couple bucks later you have 25 POUNDS plus of potential patches. Terry cloth is the best possible shotgun material for patches and wipe down there is. Save your bore snake for the days you shoot a couple shells like hunting situations and clean the bore with throwaway rags on shooting days. You will end up paying a ton for patches that SUCK if you buy them, make your own and they will fit what you want to do to your gun. Terry cloth patches can be used for months on end if washed with the clothes you change the car oil in ........

Get a couple cans of CHLORINATED brake cleaner. These are PREMIUM bore cleaner for shotguns but be fully aware that it will damage the finish of wooden stocks, camo dips, some plastics and overall are not real healthy. What it does do is shoot out the plastic fouling from the wads in a heartbeat. Chokes and barrels now take seconds to clean instead of minutes. Just step out the door for this part and right back in when done. This stuff can be had for less than a buck per can if you watch the sale ads a little. It sure beats $5+ for the stuff that says bore cleaner on it that does not work as well.

Other than the above tips cleaning and maintenance is just like any other gun. Some need a lot and some need a little, some guys just can't get it right and some guys just can't let it be............

[Dave McCracken]

The guys listed some good stuff, you may want to review the thread, "Cleaning 101..." for a little more.

Techniques and tools used are relatively unimportant. What is important is that the weapon gets clean.

[W.Va.Glassman]

HSMITH, what size do you cut your patches,12,16,20?

[HSMITH]

3"X3" for 12 gauge and 16, I use them over the top of a cotton bore swab so that the contact area is larger and they are quite tight in the bore. For 20 gauge I cut them at about 2 1/4" square, and also use them over a swab.

[Kingcreek]

incursion,
That 391 is a great shotgun (first or otherwise) and it has a chrome lined barrel which makes bore cleaning very easy whatever method you use.
I give a few pumps with the tico and call it done. I carry a boresnake in my gear kit to be left at the truck when I go to the duck or goose blind.
enjoy
I gotta get me a 20g 391 !!

[Traveler]

I prefer Shooters Choice for removal of the plastic residues in shotgun bores. It works well and does not damage wood or finishes. As mentioned earlier a Tico Tool is great.