Cut to fit cleaning patches

[Apple a Day]

I was in the store the other day, low on cleaning patches. The only thing they had were 'cut to fit' patches. This got me thinking:
Is there a rule for the perfect size cleaning patch for a particular bore? If so, then somebody clue me in. I usually just get the generic range which includes the caliber which I am cleaning.
Not a crucial, Earth-shattering question but I am always lookin' for a better method.

 

[J Miller]

I suspect the "general rule" for cleaning patches has nothing to do with reality.
I find that if I buy commercial patches for .45 they are so small they do a good job on .38's.
So I end up buying 12 guage patches for my .45's.
I want my patches to be a snug fit. Not tight enough to jam up in the barrel, but snug enough to clean good.
Lately I have found supplies of military patches that seem to be better sized, barring those I use old tee shirts and cut 2"x2" patches for my .45's. Or just buy the next size up from what the label says.

 

[444]

I try to use the largest patch that will fit in the bore without having to force it. To be honest with you, most of the time I use pieces of paper towel that I rip to the size I want.

 

[10-Ring]

I buy patches that are snug & cut down to the size I need. Since the largest I use will be for my 12ga., Ihvae patches for that & a pair of scissors in my cleaning kit.

 

[V-fib]

Cut up white cotton undershirts, longjohns, make really nice cleaning patches

 

[TheActor]

Old t-shirts cut to pieces have worked fine for years here.

 

[Apple a Day]

Thanks for the replies. The only problem with using dissected T-shirts is that I have to get to the old ones before my wife throws them out. My standards for work-shirts and around-the-house T-shirts are a smidgen lower than hers. I will try putting in a standing referral request with the mrs. to put them in a "cut for gun cleaning" pile rather than the garbage.

 

[Mal H]

Visit your local fabric store (Minn. Fabrics, Ben Franklin, etc.) and look in the remnants bin. You'll find enough cloth to make patches to last for years usually for around a buck or so. You'll know the right cloth when you see it, cotton, muslin, etc. will do fine. If you have access to one, a big paper cutter is ideal for making the proper sized patches.

 

[Sven]

Mal: thanks for the tip!

 

[sonoranjack]

I use paper towels also. I rip them into a big square & fold the square over until I get the size I want. I push the patch down the barrel it comes out dirty. Then I uinfold to a clean side & fold over the dirty side. I keep doing this until the clean side stays clean.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Yup paper towels also.

 

[cobb]

A good show on the History Channel, several old T-shirts, and a good sissors and I am again set for patches for 3-4 months. I can't really explain the sizes I cut, but I do end up with them sorted into 3 containers, small, medium, and large. So I guess you could say I cut generic size patches and fold to fit or double up if needed, cotton T-shirts vary alot in thickness.
My wife just throws any unwanted cloths on the tool cabinet outside my loading room, and I sort them for cleaning patches, garage rags, or I trash them.

 

[Frohickey]

I end up having a pair of scissors and a swath of cloth or old-tshirt in my range bag. I cut the patches as I am cleaning the gun. This way, I can customize each patch for whatever I am cleaning, be it the bore, the cylinder, the chamber, inside the mag well, etc.

Polyester or rayon does not make for a good patch.

 

[longeyes]

Here's another vote for paper towels. Glad to find out I'm not alone on that one.

 

[Apple a Day]

Thanks a ton for all the info and suggestions. I am already working on a soon to be cut up for patches pile

 

[CWL]

Regular paper towels are 'linty'.

I do use the blue paper 'shop towels' though. They're tougher and don't drop lint into the bore.