Bore-snakes any good?
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
For a quick pass at the range maybe.
But there are a lot of jobs you need a real rod & brushes for.
Like carbon fouled chambers, leaded barrels, applying copper solvent, etc.
I don't use them, and only own one .22 cal bore-snake I use occasionally for a .218 Bee lever-action I can't clean from the breech.
rc
But there are a lot of jobs you need a real rod & brushes for.
Like carbon fouled chambers, leaded barrels, applying copper solvent, etc.
I don't use them, and only own one .22 cal bore-snake I use occasionally for a .218 Bee lever-action I can't clean from the breech.
rc
wally
Member
I hate cleaning guns, for my range regulars about all they ever see is the occasional spray of brake parts cleaner where I can't wipe, and after every session a Break-Free wet rag wipe down, a patch of Hoppe's down the bore followed by a few passes of the bore snake and a few drops of oil on the moving parts. I generally don't take them apart until I start having problems.
So I'd say bore-snakes work very well for me. If you are obsessive about having clean guns, don't waste you time or money on them.
So I'd say bore-snakes work very well for me. If you are obsessive about having clean guns, don't waste you time or money on them.
Resist Evil
Member
There was a guy on one forum who posted that he used a suitably-sized rifle version to clean the barrel of his handgun. I thought that was too much of a solution for a small task.
I like them, but I don't use it for the scrubbing part of the cleaning process, but after soaking and scrubbing, it's useful for removing the loosened gunk effectively in lieu of using several patches; particularly with rifles.
I like them, but I don't use it for the scrubbing part of the cleaning process, but after soaking and scrubbing, it's useful for removing the loosened gunk effectively in lieu of using several patches; particularly with rifles.
evan price
Member
Works great for pistols that are kept clean. Bore snake the barrel and/or cylinders, give it a wipe down, and GTG.
MedWheeler
Member
They work okay. I only use them for semi-automatic firearms that cannot be cleaned from the breech end with a rod and patch. In my collection, these are all rimfires.
You can certainly clean up a lot of powder/lead fouling in a hurry in a 32-20 revolver with an 8mm rifle boresnake. I think all my boresnakes are rifle sized.. I have them in several calibers from .22 up to .45.
I like them. They don't replace standard rods and brushes completely but they are super handy and do a great job.
I prefer a "mop" rod for shotguns. http://store.safariland.com/kleen-bore/product392.html Works wonders on black powder and standard shotguns.
I like them. They don't replace standard rods and brushes completely but they are super handy and do a great job.
I prefer a "mop" rod for shotguns. http://store.safariland.com/kleen-bore/product392.html Works wonders on black powder and standard shotguns.
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They are a god send for revolver shooters who don't want to clean their barrels from the muzzle.
A common usage I've noticed is folks in high round count (300-400/day) shooting classes running a bore snake a few times through the barrel at the end of the day...we were shooting jacketed ammo..., a little lube on the rails and calling it good for the next day
A common usage I've noticed is folks in high round count (300-400/day) shooting classes running a bore snake a few times through the barrel at the end of the day...we were shooting jacketed ammo..., a little lube on the rails and calling it good for the next day
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
As others have said, a bore snake, does not replace a rod, and brush. Under most circumstances a bore snake will be vastly superior to a rod, and patch. Unless you need to check the results of cleaning a very fouled bore, or spreading the copper cleaning solution in the bore, a snake will do the job of a rod and patch faster, and better.
spm
Member
I use them as a quick-clean if I'm not somewhere I can do a proper cleaning. But I always follow it up with a more thorough job later. It's just the way I was taught.
wgaynor
Member
Had one. It broke the first time i used it Luckily, I managed to get the darn thing out. Won't buy another.
Double_J
Member
I had one for my .22 rimfires, and my sks. I used them mainly for field cleaning (aka firing 300 to 500 rounds a day) and for quick clean up before going home. I also kept a cheap rod and brush kit in the range box for when I needed to clean things a little more to keep reliability up. I no longer have either the snakes or the cheap kit due to wear and tear, and moving. I do have a nice kit that I pieced together, but it is a home only kit. I will be getting another bore snake or two for when I go out to the woods or range as they are convenient for what they are.
They are great. 
Until they break, leaving half of it in the barrel.
Then, try to drive the thing out using a wood dowel.
The dowel breaks and splinters leaving its pieces in the barrel. :banghead:
Then comes the brass rod, which bends and jams into the mess already in there.
Then try from the other direction, using a steel rod and a big hammer. Which works, but scores the barrel.
Then the trip to the gunsmith who wants $400 to replace the barrel.
So hang the gun on the wall and buy a new gun for $800. Go out and shoot the new gun. Clean it with a bore snake.
Which breaks off in the barrel....
Jim
Until they break, leaving half of it in the barrel.
Then, try to drive the thing out using a wood dowel.
The dowel breaks and splinters leaving its pieces in the barrel. :banghead:
Then comes the brass rod, which bends and jams into the mess already in there.
Then try from the other direction, using a steel rod and a big hammer. Which works, but scores the barrel.
Then the trip to the gunsmith who wants $400 to replace the barrel.
So hang the gun on the wall and buy a new gun for $800. Go out and shoot the new gun. Clean it with a bore snake.
Which breaks off in the barrel....
Jim
mljdeckard
Member
Depends on the gun.
I use one on my SKS, because I clean it intermittently. I really just hose out the grime and knock off the dust. I use them on range-use M-16s, because the armorer is much more concerned with how the bore looks rather than how the gun functions. (My buddies love me because I bring the cleaning tools. Boresnakes included.) For automatic handguns, I'm not too concerned with deep cleaning, because I don't shoot plain lead bullets.
But for any rifle which I really worry about its accuracy, I want to clean with a lot more care and precision. I suppose the same would go to any such revolvers, if I had any.
I use one on my SKS, because I clean it intermittently. I really just hose out the grime and knock off the dust. I use them on range-use M-16s, because the armorer is much more concerned with how the bore looks rather than how the gun functions. (My buddies love me because I bring the cleaning tools. Boresnakes included.) For automatic handguns, I'm not too concerned with deep cleaning, because I don't shoot plain lead bullets.
But for any rifle which I really worry about its accuracy, I want to clean with a lot more care and precision. I suppose the same would go to any such revolvers, if I had any.
mljdeckard
Member
And about post #16, you have to watch that. If a boresnake frays AT ALL anywhere, chuck it. I've never snapped one, but I don't try to keep them forever either.
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dmazur
Member
^ Finally. The truth about Bore-snakes (post #16).
I had quite a few of them, for both rifle and pistol.
I found out they didn't magically clean themselves and were so difficult to clean (with the cute little embedded wirework) it was more work, total, than just using disposable patches with a rod.
When I read of some horror stories of the difficulty of removing one after the string breaks, I tossed them. Without regret.
For the "portability" aspect, I found a multi-section rod that is only 8-1/2" long when broken down. This fits easily in my range bag and I find a quick pass with a patch is relatively easy following a shooting session.
Of course, I have full-length (one piece) cleaning rods for serious work.
I had quite a few of them, for both rifle and pistol.
I found out they didn't magically clean themselves and were so difficult to clean (with the cute little embedded wirework) it was more work, total, than just using disposable patches with a rod.
When I read of some horror stories of the difficulty of removing one after the string breaks, I tossed them. Without regret.
For the "portability" aspect, I found a multi-section rod that is only 8-1/2" long when broken down. This fits easily in my range bag and I find a quick pass with a patch is relatively easy following a shooting session.
Of course, I have full-length (one piece) cleaning rods for serious work.
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Lj1941
Member
OK for handguns
I use them regularly with my handguns.I shoot a lot of cast and less jacketed.A couple of passes with "ED'S RED" and I am good to go. I use the normal patch routine for the rifles mainly because I lack any 22 & 30 caliber Bore Snakes.
I use them regularly with my handguns.I shoot a lot of cast and less jacketed.A couple of passes with "ED'S RED" and I am good to go. I use the normal patch routine for the rifles mainly because I lack any 22 & 30 caliber Bore Snakes.
mljdeckard
Member
I should also follow-up, if I think it's worth using a cleaning rod, it's worth using a one-piece rod.
Byrd666
Member
For me, it's a wonderful tool. Being a one handed shooter/individual due to my left side being paralyzed, it makes cleaning the barrels on my pistols almost a pleasant experience. Now granted, I almost soak them in Hoppes gun cleaner before I run it through. Haven't tried one on my AR or AK yet. I will after I can find some affordable ammunition for both.
MaterDei
Member
I've got a bunch of snakes and use them almost exclusively for cleaning my bores. I can't imagine one properly sized breaking off in the bore.
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