Time to blow "Taps" for slotted patch hodlers?

[MemphisJim1]

Two years ago I moved from a long-time home to a newer one in an adjacent town. All of the firearms, ammo, and other important stuff made it just fine. Some of the small stuff, like the .22 cal. slotted cloth holders for cleaning rods are still MIA, although a few of the rods have shown up. "No sweat," says I, "I'll just go buy another one." Jags and brushes are in plentiful supply at local big box and LGS outlets. As are Otis kits, bore snakes and full blown cleaning kits, most with the slotted patch holder included. I just don't need or want another cleaning kit. All I want is a slotted patch holder. And for two years none are to be found in Memphis. Lately I came across a plastic one at an LGS so I bought it. Last Friday I found a nickel one for 99 cents on a peg at another LGS so I bought it, too. Yes, I know the big mail order catalog houses still have 'em but at what price? They're about $4-to-$5 with at least that much more for shipping and handling. While I'm all for "progress" and a "better way of doing things", I've been running patches through bores for 65+ years and some habits are just too ingrained to cast away cavalierly. Besides, saying "I'm going to run a patch" seems to have a little more heft than saying "I think I'll jag a patch down that bore." 'Nuff said.

 

[Jake in TX]

Perhaps contrary to you, I just about never use a slotted patch holder. I have always prefer a properly sized brass or plastic jag instead. I do understand your dilemma, and if that is what you want to use, that is your prerogative. Good luck in your searches. I was stationed in the Memphis area as a Navy man, 1973 and 1977 - 1980.

 

[medalguy]

I also needed a few patch holders and found them on Amazon for about 2 bucks each. They are add-on items to your weekly Amazon order so no extra shipping cost.

 

[hdwhit]

All I want is a slotted patch holder.

I was at Academy this evening buying primers and noticed they had slotted patch holders for .22 and .30 caliber hanging on the pegs with the cleaning supplies. Don't know if they have stores in your area, but it might be worth widening your search radius.

 

[MemphisJim1]

hdwhit: Academy has stores in my town and nearby in Collierville ; I've become friends with people at both stores and am told there've never been any brass patch holders in either.

Medalguy: thanks for the tip.

Jakeintx: as much as anything it's ingrained habits that die hard. Dad taught me to use many patches; the Army reinforced it. I have Otis rifle and pistol kits; rifle and pistol bore snakes, beaucoup jags of all varieties, persuasions and calibers. I still rely on patches, slotted patch holders and the "old" ways. I have become one of those old dinosaurs I used to joke about when I was younger and callower.

 

[GBExpat]

... All I want is a slotted patch holder. ...

I not only use them for cleaning, on my cleaning rod rack I keep a couple of rods loaded with clean patches so that I may quickly swab a bore after pulling the firearm out of the gunsafe and before walking out the back door to go shooting.

 

[lbs]

Maybe a brief description of how to use a slotted holder is in order. Do you wrap one side over the top?

 

[SSN Vet]

I use both...
slotted to soak the barrel and clean out the heavy stuff... then after the bronze brush, I use the jags to rub out into the corners of the rifling .

 

[sbwaters]

Fifty years ago I was taught to fold one side over the top.

Now I am rather fond of the Parker-Hale Jag with little hooks that grab the patch which you then wrap around.

 

[BCRider]

I still like and use them for their ability to lay down a good soaking of solvent so it can soak into the fouling before I run a proper fitted jag and patch to actually do the cleaning.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I used to use brass jags unitl I tired the Remington rubber bore squeegees and now I'm hooked on them. I will still occasionally push a soaked batch through to apply solvent or oil but I don't need a jag for that, just a rod.

Mike

 

[CapnMac]

For this sort of thin, I'll go to a gun show, as there's almost always a vendor who has a "one of everything" cleaning parts table. All kinds of individual bits & pieces.
Shipping & handling is whatever it cost you to bring your pocket into the show. And the beverage you need to wash the free jerky sample taste out

 

[Deanimator]

Here that stuff is in abundant supply at local gunshows, as well as the local Fin, Feather, Fur chain.

High quality coated Dewey cleaning rods are tougher to find, but still managed to get one at the Medina gun show.

 

[MemphisJim1]

Say, Glory Hallelujah! and The Sants Be Praised! My pregnant daughter came to town from Austin this past weekend for a last visit before her daughter is born. Bless her heart, she wanted to do some "Memphis" things so we visited her mother's grave at historic Elmwood Cemetery, had a BBQ lunch at Central Q on Central Ave, did the Sun Studio tour and went to the Pyramid to inspect the Bass Pro Shop and ride the 300 ft. elevator to the observation deck, I did manage to browse the gun section and found one slotted brass patch holder, which saw much action on Monday. Life is good -- again.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm stuck on them since I'm generally a "pull thru" kind of cleaner.

Todd.