Why do folks like the slotted cleaning jags?

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With a slotted tip, I can pull a patch through the barrel. With a solid jag I can only push patch through the barrel.
 
rpenmanparker said:
What’s your point. What difference does the direction make if the proficiency is poor?
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Just an observation on the difference use, not a recommendation or an indictment. Some people only like to clean one way and some others. Some will never pull a patch back through once it's been pushed the full length of the barrel. Some will push/pull a patch back and forth.
 
alfsauve said:
Just an observation on the difference use, not a recommendation or an indictment. Some people only like to clean one way and some others. Some will never pull a patch back through once it's been pushed the full length of the barrel. Some will push/pull a patch back and forth.
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Usually with a pointed jag you CAN pull the batch back through if you keep it trapped in the barrel, i.e. you don't push it all the way out the far end. Once it is loose and not pinned between the jag and the barrel, you can't pull it back out. But you knew that already.
 
John Joseph said:
I use slotted ( looped) ends on handguns and shotguns.
There is a trick to them.
Fold the patch into a triangle (or half circle if using round patches) and insert one corner into the loop about 1/4 in, then spread open the larger end, making a cone and fold it over the tip of the loop. Apply solvent and insert it from the breech until it's beyond the muzzle (or the breech end on a revolver). When you pull it back into the barrel the cone will invert and the clean side of the patch will now be on the outside as it gets pulled back. It's the same thing when cleaning after the silicon bronze brush---you use half as many patches that way.
You can apply oil to a patch placed over a wool mop. The wool fibers will press the oily patch against the sides of the bore. Jags are useful as well. It just depends on how you like to clean your guns and what you have to work with.
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That's exactly how I use my slotted jags. I thought everyone did it that way? I find it much better and easier than using the pointed jag where the patch can sometimes slip off when trying to pull it back.
 
equin said:
That's exactly how I use my slotted jags. I thought everyone did it that way? I find it much better and easier than using the pointed jag where the patch can sometimes slip off when trying to pull it back.
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Good to know. That's Why I asked the question.
 
rpenmanparker said:
Usually with a pointed jag you CAN pull the batch back through if you keep it trapped in the barrel, i.e. you don't push it all the way out the far end. .
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But then you're pulling a dirty patch back through the barrel, something the OP wants to avoid.
When I use a jag, it's a one way trip, but i get twice as much patch mileage pulling the inside out patch cone in a slotted or loop attachment back down the bore instead.

I could of course take the dirty patch off the jag at the muzzle and reinstall it clean side out at the breach end for another trip if I wanted to take the time.

When I use a mop, I cover it with a patch soaked in solvent or oil (depending on what I want to accomplish) to keep the mop clean and reusable
 
The military has nearly always used slot tips.
Mostly as they are incredibly "tolerant" of patch material and size of same. A person could use deliberately cut (uniform) patches, or just ripped up cloth or old socks with equal utility,
Also, the fact that a slot tip can be used in both push and pull configuration, which allows cleaning with less than a perfect tool set.

Now, at home, I've bags and bags of uniform patches, generally sized to fit given calibers. So, I (nearly invariably) use a push rod with a jag tip.

To each their own, in my book.
 
rpenmanparker said:
If you are rich. They aren't cheap and get filthy fast.
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Put them in a sock and tie it up. Throw them in the washer and lay out or run them through the drier to dry.
Put them in a drink bottle and with soap and water and shake up. rinse and repeat. Dry as you wish.
With the powders I use for handguns and plated or coated bullets, they barely get dirty.
Mops are the best for me.
 
I often come home from the range with several guns to clean. I use one slotted jag to quickly mop the bores of different caliber firearms and letting them sit for a bit before moving on to a more specialized brushes or pointed jags.
 
BigBlue 94 said:
Slotted jags to dip a patch in the solvent jar and soak the bore with. That way, none gets on my fingers. Brass jags to clean the bore after applying the solvent.
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Sure but the pointed tool works that way just as well for me. If you actually stick the point through the patch and secure it, it is easy to dip the patch in cleaner without getting your hands wet.
 
I pour a bit of solvent on the bristle part of the bore snake and pull it through the barrel a half dozen times. Then I finish up with a few patches on a jag. The bore snakes clean up well in the washing machine in one of those washing machine bags.
 
rpenmanparker said:
Sure but the pointed tool works that way just as well for me. If you actually stick the point through the patch and secure it, it is easy to dip the patch in cleaner without getting your hands wet.
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Maybe I should have said the tiny 1/2" mouthed container I have... using the pointy jag, the patch stays in the container, even pierced with the tip. In a bigger mouthed jar, the mouth probably wouldn't pull the patch off.

I even have a few brass slotted tips from my grandpa's collection.
 
Slotted jag to dip a patch in the solvent and wipe through. I will run the bristle brush until I reach my psychological level of cleaning happiness. I use cut pieces of paper towels over worn out bristle brushes, to remove the residue. Worn out 22lr brushes are a favorite and work well in calibers 30 and under. That removes the solvent. I also use 45 cal worn out brushes and paper towel patches to clean out the chamber residue. If I want tight, I wrap a linen patch around the appropriate worn out bristle brush. I do this when using JB bore paste. The slotted jag is my primary jag.
 
Jag for me. I place the patch over the bottle of Hoppes 9, tip it over to get some on the patch, and run it on thru. Been doing it this way for years and it works.
 
Muzzleloaders and shotguns excluded, I like slotted. I dip right into the jug. I dont lose patches in the barrel. What's the theory, the solid jag is bore specific, therefore the patch hugs the bore closer? So. With slotted just add another patch if it feels loose. I always "felt" the solid jags only pushed up against the rifling while the slotted with a couple patches got it all.

At the end of the cleaning session, if you pulled out a white patch, then your jag is the right jag. Regardless of style.
 
Slamfire said:
Slotted jag to dip a patch in the solvent and wipe through. I will run the bristle brush until I reach my psychological level of cleaning happiness. I use cut pieces of paper towels over worn out bristle brushes, to remove the residue. Worn out 22lr brushes are a favorite and work well in calibers 30 and under. That removes the solvent. I also use 45 cal worn out brushes and paper towel patches to clean out the chamber residue. If I want tight, I wrap a linen patch around the appropriate worn out bristle brush. I do this when using JB bore paste. The slotted jag is my primary jag.
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Given the frequency that you shoot, you would have probably wear out a barrel by cleaning using the pointed jag if you clean after you shoot each session.:uhoh: Thanks for the tips above as I have quite a few worn out bore brushes that I am too cheap to throw out.
 
i never use slotted. always the wrap around knurled ones or the spear tip ones. i prefer the latter. however, i don't really demand a tight fit. the chemicals are doing the work for me. the linen just deposits the chems and then wipes them out.
 
boom boom said:
Given the frequency that you shoot, you would have probably wear out a barrel by cleaning using the pointed jag if you clean after you shoot each session.:uhoh: Thanks for the tips above as I have quite a few worn out bore brushes that I am too cheap to throw out.
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Help me here. Are you joking? I don’t see a smilie emoji. How is a cloth swab going to wear out a steel barrel no matter how tightly it is pressed against the sides?
 
rpenmanparker said:
Help me here. Are you joking? I don’t see a smilie emoji. How is a cloth swab going to wear out a steel barrel no matter how tightly it is pressed against the sides?
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Joking with a grain of truth (not for Slamfire). Slamfire mentioned that he used the slot tip instead of the pointed jags so it was a joke considering the number of rounds that he fires on a regular basis.

In reality, many barrels have been worn out by overcleaning than by firing especially old military rifles--some are oval at the bore because of it. Usually it is because no bore centering device at the muzzle or breech has been used with the cleaning rod and the rod rubs the bore during cleaning. Multipiece cleaning rods are worse at doing that for obvious reasons.
 
boom boom said:
Joking with a grain of truth (not for Slamfire). Slamfire mentioned that he used the slot tip instead of the pointed jags so it was a joke considering the number of rounds that he fires on a regular basis.

In reality, many barrels have been worn out by overcleaning than by firing especially old military rifles--some are oval at the bore because of it. Usually it is because no bore centering device at the muzzle or breech has been used with the cleaning rod and the rod rubs the bore during cleaning. Multipiece cleaning rods are worse at doing that for obvious reasons.
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Indeed. I have taken to using only one piece rods no matter what length the barrel. And Inthink the pointer jafs center better than the slotted.
 
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