Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I use Bore Snakes intermittently when cleaning my revolvers. I flip back and forth between traditional methods vs Bore Snakes depending on time constraints.
Anyway, in cleaning my .357 and .38 revolvers I have found that Bore Snakes made for .357 bores really lacking when it comes to cleaning the chambers of the cylinders.
The other day I decided to buy a .40 caliber bore snake and try it on my .357 / .38 revolver cylinders. I was a bit apprehensive about getting it stuck as years ago I grabbed the wrong bore snake and got it stuck in a 30-30 barrel. It was fun getting it out. Though I did manage to do so without hurting the bore but destroyed the snake.
Side Note: put your snakes in a box and label the box by size...ahem.
So, here are two pictures each of my S&W models 36 and 19 before and after using a .40 cal. Bore Snake with no solvent.
I think that works rather well for a quick cleaning. The model 19 was dirty from shooting .38 Special.
Now I wish I would have done the same experiment using the .357 Bore Snake, taking a photo, then using the .40 Bore Snake.
Anyway, in cleaning my .357 and .38 revolvers I have found that Bore Snakes made for .357 bores really lacking when it comes to cleaning the chambers of the cylinders.
The other day I decided to buy a .40 caliber bore snake and try it on my .357 / .38 revolver cylinders. I was a bit apprehensive about getting it stuck as years ago I grabbed the wrong bore snake and got it stuck in a 30-30 barrel. It was fun getting it out. Though I did manage to do so without hurting the bore but destroyed the snake.
Side Note: put your snakes in a box and label the box by size...ahem.
So, here are two pictures each of my S&W models 36 and 19 before and after using a .40 cal. Bore Snake with no solvent.
I think that works rather well for a quick cleaning. The model 19 was dirty from shooting .38 Special.
Now I wish I would have done the same experiment using the .357 Bore Snake, taking a photo, then using the .40 Bore Snake.