cleaning the barrel of an M1A

[rampro6698]

I am wanting to purchase an M1A rifle, but I am a little concerned about having to clean it from the muzzle end due to the design of the rifle. I generally clean my bolt guns and AR's after 50-100 rounds of shooting. It seems it would be pretty likely to damage the muzzle/crown even with some kind of muzzle guide if you are cleaning the gun that much over its life from the muzzle. I know the muzzle guides are suppossed to protect the crown, etc. but there has to be some risk of damaging the lands over time with each cleaning. Bore cleaning is not brain surgery, it can be a little forceful at times. Any thoughts??

I guess it is not that big of a deal since so many people shoot and love these rifles (especially Highpower NRA shooters).

Steve

 

[General Geoff]

I clean it from the chamber to the muzzle, with a bore snake. Works fine.

 

[Deanimator]

I have a Garand. I know lots of people with M1As and Garands. If you use a bore guide, you won't have any problems.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

On the M1A, there is a flash hider there, and that acts as a bore guide. On the M1, I use a bore guide.

 

[rampro6698]

I use a bore snake often on my rifles as well, but how do you really clean with that. I mean, put a wet patch of copper remover, followed by multiple strokes with a bore brush, followed by a dry patch, etc?

Steve

 

[General Geoff]

I simply don't worry about a perfectly spotless bore. Swab some hoppe's #9 in there, followed by one swipe with the bore snake. Follow by a liberal spraying of CLP, and one more swipe with the snake. I've been using that procedure on my M1A since I purchased it, and it keeps the bore clean and shiny enough for my purposes.

Also keep in mind that I only clean the bore once every ~500rds or so.

 

[Slamfire]

I shot out a couple of match M1a barrels in NRA Highpower competition. Have not shot out a Match Garand Barrel yet, but might be getting close.

I cleaned my barrels out after every 88 round match. I used a standard muzzle guide

http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/product376.html

with the M1a and M1. That is also how every other match shooter cleaned his rifle, unless they purchased a speciality plastic guide. No one I ever met used a snake.

I have used Dewey one piece cleaning rods, other manufacturers one piece rods, and if you take care not to rub the muzzle, you will not damage the muzzle for the accuracy life of your barrel.

 

[glockman19]

I clean it from the chamber to the muzzle, with a bore snake. Works fine.

This is what I do too

 

[chestnut ridge]

Home-made muzzle guide for M1-A. Cut the crimp from a fired 12 ga
plastic shotshell. Punch out the primer, and drill out the primer pocket
to fit over your cleaning rod. I use a special short cleaning rod made
just for the M1-A, and leave the case on the rod. The short rod
eliminates bent brushes caused by hitting the bolt and having it
spring forward. The shotshell fits tightly over the flash hider.

 

[geekWithA.45]

I use an otis cleaning kit on my m1a, which is a boresnake like breech to muzzle affair.