Angling cleaning rods into semi-auto chambers: VZ-58 (7.62x39).

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It seems a bit easier when bending the rods to go into the chamber of my AKMs.

Most of the time I generally avoid going into the muzzle on any gun.

Do many of you buy a Bore Snake, to avoid bending even the short segments of a normal rod, then struggling to grip the rod and pull back out?

I've never been tempted to use something (Snake)-- even if it were to wear yoga pants-- which might need to be freq. cleaned in the washing machine (ehhh..No?).
 
I only use Bore Snakes for light routine cleaning. And yes, I've washed them (by hand). For heavy cleaning, I've never avoided going in through the muzzle if it wasn't possible to go straight in through the breech end. I'm careful and I use a fiberglass rod with brass connector, and I've never damaged a muzzle crown. So, sorry, but it just sounds to me like you're making extra work for yourself by being too strictly "proper".

Ever wonder that the cleaning rods in old military rifles are all steel? ;)
 
I don't and never will use a boresnake and am sure not bending any of my cleaning rods. I have a Kleenbore polished stainless rod than included a brass bore guide that fit 22 up to about a 69 caliber. Use a bore guide and you won't damage your barrel.
 
I have an aversion to using bore-snakes or any cloth rope pulled through a rifled bore. From what I've found, that cloth rope will collect all sorts of debris in the weave of the rope. So, then the impregnated glass crystals used in the primer mix gets pulled through the bore over and over again.
What I do prefer, and mostly on .22 rimfire bores, is a cut length of weed-whacker line with a brass keeper on one end. Then a couple of felt cylinders, diameter dedicated to bore size, soaked in the preferred solvent, and all the crapola in the bore gets pulled out the muzzle end:
BSiQfEql.jpg
 
I have an aversion to using bore-snakes or any cloth rope pulled through a rifled bore. From what I've found, that cloth rope will collect all sorts of debris in the weave of the rope. So, then the impregnated glass crystals used in the primer mix gets pulled through the bore over and over again.
What I do prefer, and mostly on .22 rimfire bores, is a cut length of weed-whacker line with a brass keeper on one end. Then a couple of felt cylinders, diameter dedicated to bore size, soaked in the preferred solvent, and all the crapola in the bore gets pulled out the muzzle end:
View attachment 951537

That's a pretty cool setup!

Where do you get the brass keepers and what tool do you use to crimp them on?

And I don't believe I've seed the felt cylinders before. Probably just never noticed them.
 
That's a pretty cool setup!

Where do you get the brass keepers and what tool do you use to crimp them on?

And I don't believe I've seed the felt cylinders before. Probably just never noticed them.

The brass keepers are made from brass 0.187 (3/16 ths) round stock. Drill and then tap a through hole #5-40 in my lathe and then just thread the weed-whacker line through that, then melt the end into a mushroom head that pokes out.
The felt plugs are available from both Brownells and Amazon. Just much easier & quicker to pull through a .22 rimfire bore for me.
Weed-Whacker line does come in diameters bigger, almost 0.120 (1/8) or so, so there's no reason why a setup like this could not be used on centerfire calibers also.
Some of these synthetic solvents available these days to a darn good job without the need to scrub a bore. At least that's what I've found.
 
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I have an aversion to using bore-snakes or any cloth rope pulled through a rifled bore. From what I've found, that cloth rope will collect all sorts of debris in the weave of the rope. So, then the impregnated glass crystals used in the primer mix gets pulled through the bore over and over again.
What I do prefer, and mostly on .22 rimfire bores, is a cut length of weed-whacker line with a brass keeper on one end. Then a couple of felt cylinders, diameter dedicated to bore size, soaked in the preferred solvent, and all the crapola in the bore gets pulled out the muzzle end:
View attachment 951537

I, like @SGW Gunsmith prefer pull through types. I use Patchworm pull through cleaners they work great and come with a pack of different caliber bushings that one can use round cut patches over to apply cleaner then pull through with dry patches. They are a great company and their prices are affordable.

I have their "tactical field kit" which includes all the caliber buttons that the patch circles utilize, and the plastic kit comes with small amounts of patch circles pre-soaked in cleaner as well as some dry. This goes with me in my range bag along with additional bulk patches and cleaner. I have several of their "weed wacker lines of differing lengths, they are cheap and easy to have around.
 
The brass keepers are made from brass 0.187 (3/16 ths) round stock. Drill and then tap a through hole #5-40 in my lathe and then just thread the weed-whacker line through that, then melt the end into a mushroom head that pokes out.
The felt plugs are available from both Brownells and Amazon. Just much easier & quicker to pull through a .22 rimfire bore for me.
Weed-Whacker line does come in diameters bigger, almost 0.120 (1/8) or so, so there's no reason why a setup like this could not be used on centerfire calibers also.
Some of these synthetic solvents available these days to a darn good job without the need to scrub a bore. At least that's what I've found.

Hmmm...I was thinking of the melt trick.

I had looked up some brass tubing for that, and then went back after reading what size you used. McMaster-Carr has brass tubing in the following that ought to work:

260 brass (soft), 3/16" outside diameter:

7782T381 (1 foot/$4.15): Inside diameter 0.124", wall thickness 0.032"
7782T591 (1 foot/$4.87): Inside diameter 0.09", wall thickness 0.049"

And a search of Amazon for "felt cleaning pellets" found a variety of those, as well.

Thanks! I'm going to give this a shot!
 
Stick your rod down the muzzle, THEN attach your brush or looped tip with patch and pull it through the barrel to the muzzle; and repeat as necessary
 
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