[Skunkabilly]

Anything wrong with cleaning with lots of those little takedown rods? Thinking on getting an extension for my handlebar Kleenbore kit so I can do my long guns.

Or am I better off with my Boresnake?

[Badger Arms]

I used those alumium sectional rods for years. At an auction about 5 years ago, they had a lot of gun stuff that included about 5 single-piece Dewey rods. I don't see any reason NOT to use takedown rods or Bore Snakes, but I don't need to worry about it as I am well equiped. The only advantage I can see to using the bore-snake is on rifles with no access to the rear such as the M-1 and M-14 rifles. I've heard the crap about speed, ease, blah, blah, blah. Fact is, it only takes me 5 minutes to clean the bore anyhow. How could 2 minutes help me and justify buying more crap that I might not like?

[Steve Smith]

If you like your barrel, forget the multi-piece rods and use a one piece coated rod. Just my opinion.

[echo3mike]

If you're serious about your rifle, you need to get a one piece rod. The sectional rods can and will ding your rifling when they bend (and they will bend) and have this nasty tendency to trap grit in the section ends.


If you've got a standard M1A / AR or some POS SKS plinker, I guess you could use the issue cleaning rods (sectional), but if you're looking to keep and maintain accuracy, it's best to go with a one piece.


Trust us...

S.

[dfariswheel]

High grade one piece rods are the best, and have much less chance of damaging the muzzle.

However, if you must use a sectional rod, the correct method is to PULL it through the bore, don't push it.

When I clean I pull all rods, one piece or sectional, and I always use a bore guide to protect the muzzle.

[Skunkabilly]

So for my future AR or my current M1A, I have nothing to worry about, unless I invest in some fancy super duper mega accurate barrel?

[Steve Smith]

What part of "if you like your barrel" don't you understand?

If all you want is a bullet hose, clean it with a diamond hone.

Buttstock cleaning kits are really only good for one thing. Emergencies. Treat your gun the best as you can when you have the opportunity. It will reward you.

[Redlg155]

or some POS SKS plinker, I guess you could use the issue cleaning rods

Ahhh...both my AK and my SKS have a solid one peice rod.

Yes, there can be damage done to a bore if a sectional..actually any cleaning rod is used incorrectly. At the same time I would say a good 90 percent of the military uses standard issue sectional rods to clean their weapons. These rifles still shoot just fine in the accuracy department. My only guess is that the M16 flash supressor offers some degree of protection to the crown of the muzzle. Still, I could see where ill fitting or bent rods could cause problems. I've seen soldiers chuck a cleaning rod in a drill trying to clean for inspections, so nothing surprises me except for the durability of the weapons.

To alleviate any worry I'd suggest getting the 1 peice rods.

Good Shooting
RED

[Skunkabilly]

What's out there besides the Deweys? Just wanna see my options.

[Smokey Joe]

According to my reading, the benchresters--certainly among the most fussy and exacting of shooters when it comes to care of their weapons (no insult intended)--use a Dewey or similar, almost to a man. The few who don't use a one-piece coated rod, use a one-piece steel non-coated rod. They also always use a bore guide to get the cleaning rod through the action, and a muzzle protector for the other end.

Deweys are the most easily available, in my area. Any other one-piece coated rod would work just as well. Brownells, Midway, or any other catalogue supplier will have 'em if you can't get one locally.

A fancy super duper mega-accurate bbl is a good thing if you have one. If you have an "ordinary" bbl, it still deserves the best treatment you can give it, IMHO.

[echo3mike]

Bore Tech has a good one, too. Used one (with a muzzle guide) on an M1A. A muzzle guide is an abso-friggin'-lute must for any rifle that needs to be cleaned from the muzzle (like the M1 or the M1A).


And to add more feul to the fire... (http://www.snipercountry.com/boretech.htm) , here's a write up on the Bore Tech rods, plus some of the arguments for a one piece coated rod. Also has arguments for the use of a bore guide...not that an argument is needed, since these are another must have item. Enjoy!

S.


No bust on SKS rifles intended...just needed an example. S.

[Steve Smith]

The argument for coated vs. non-coated is an old one...as old as the Dewey anyway. That's a gut check each person has to make. Sinclair sells several brands.

[Skunkabilly]

So I'll probably buy some full length coated ones for cleaning at home, either Dewey or Kleen-bore.

Will I be gaining anything from going to the coated takedown rods over the bare rods for cleaning at the range?

[Steve Smith]

Again, every time you have the opportunity to take the best care of your rifle, take it. Bring your good one piece rod to the range with you, if you feel the need to clean there. Do be sure to wipe the rod after every pass, and be careful of where you lay it so it doesn't get filthy or bent. The only other rod you should need is a buttstock cleaning kit for the really bad days of sticking your muzzle in the dirt when out on a walk.