Jags and slotted tips?

[Remander]

Jags are the larger bullet-shaped cleaning pieces, right? Made for running a patch down the bore during cleaning?

What do I do with the slotted tip piece that comes in the kit that I would not do with a jag?

New to bore cleaning, so please edumacate me on what to do or not do with these two pieces.

Any danger the slotted tips could scratch the bore?

Thanks

 

[sm]

Slotted tips seem to be the "generic" ...meaning one doesn't have a jag. Go slow and paying attention I doubt you'd scratch with a metal much the less the plastic slot tips.

One trick, punch hole in patch.insert slot tip, insert a corner of patch and when pulled makes a tight fit ( may take a bit of practice, but old T shirts are cheap to learn on).

I often use a nylon bush with patch over it...I really need to put my jags in one place...found a 45 ACP one in my medicine cabinet...12 bore in the utensil drawer with the big spoons.

Thats why I don't clean...often...got to look for stuff...rather shoot instead...

 

[TarpleyG]

I use the slotted tips to run a final, wet patch through the bore before putting it away. Make sure it is a thin coat or make sure you swab the bore again before you shoot. Don't want any pressure build-up from too much oil in there.

GT

 

[RobW]

Jags are made according to different calibers and provide a tight fit in the bore with a patch, thus cleaning the grooves very good.

But the jag has to stay INSIDE the barrel/chamber. If it exits, it's impossible to make a "backstroke" with the patch on (it just falls off).

With the slotted tip, you can go back and forth, but it isn't a tight fit.

As TarplayG suggested, jags for thorough cleaning, slotted for oiling.

 

[kmays]

I have some of those brass caliber specific jags with the point on the end.

I absolutely hate them. They are way too tight, even with the patch trimmed way down to the smallest possible size. And half the time the patch falls off the jag before I even enter the bore.

They might be good for something but I will never buy another one. I'd rather use a slotted jag. That way I can double up on the patches if necessary, and they stay on the damn thing until I am ready to remove them.

 

[Remander]

Followup Question: When using the slotted tips, how do you usually place a patch on it? And do you use just one patch at a time?

Do you usually just stick a corner of a patch in the slot and pull it midway through (like a bowtie), poke hole in patch and slide tip thru or some other configuration?

 

[kmays]

Sticking it through like a bowtie will work, but a better way seems to be inserting one corner of the patch through the slot, and winding the rest of the patch around the jag. This way no metal should be able to contact the bore.

 

[Zip06]

For me, the Jag is the only way to go. True, you cannot get a return stroke with it but why would you want to drag all that crud back through the barrel?

 

[DMK]

I always use a patch "bowtied" in the slotted tip to "swab" the barrel with bore cleaner, copper cutter or oil.

The jag fits tighter so I use it to push all the junk out of the muzzle after brushing. I also use it to wipe dry after bore cleaning or dousing the barrel with ammonia and water when neutralize corrosive salts.

 

[kmays]

For me, the Jag is the only way to go. True, you cannot get a return stroke with it but why would you want to drag all that crud back through the barrel?

Because some solvents like Sweet's need you to scrub the patch back and forth in the barrel for about 60 seconds.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I absolutely hate them. They are way too tight, even with the patch trimmed way down to the smallest possible size. And half the time the patch falls off the jag before I even enter the bore.

I think jags are larger today than they used to be.

Instead of gun cleaning patches, I'm now using squares of slightly scratchy cloth from a fabric store. It's thinner than regular patch cotton, and I can cut it to the best size for any caliber. At $3 and change a yard, it's quite a bit less expensive than patches. Patches are fine for oiling the bore, but this stuff cleans it faster and easier.

 

[Zip06]

Kmays - For scrubbing with Sweets, I dip the bore brush into the Sweets and back and forth in the bore. I use the Jag to push/clean the crud and to lubricate.

 

[Mannlicher]

Remander,

I just cut patches from old teeshirts. Like many have said, I use the slotted tips for putting a wet patch through the bore, a brass bristle brush, and then a jag for cleaning. I then use a dry patch on the jag until the patches come out clean. The last pass is a lightly oiled patch on the slotted tip.

 

[sm]

Standing Wolf makes a good point the jag sizes, and inexpensive patches.

Hence the reason I use the nylon bushes for a better fit. That and I've given away many of mine to new shooters...err and I misplace them.

Another trick is --I buy the nylon round utility brushes from NAPA and a craft store. .25 - .50 a pc, long enough for a pistol bbl and being nylon ,copper cleaners don't "eat up" as happens with brass (jags and bushes).

These are black nylon, total brush length is ~ 3" ,total length of brush is ~ 8". Patches go onto end and I can change up with ease since I have more than one in use. I put into a glass of dishwashing detergent, simple green when finished...rinse, air dry.

Getting to where I dislike all the fancy gun cleaning stuff and boasted wonder products. We didn't always have, don't think we need them now. I feel people better off spending the money on training and shooting than wonder products. IMO.

Heck I've used Olive Oil to lube a 1911-just to to upset folks and prove a point.

Mineral spirits, lighter fluid, machine oil, utility brush, wooden dowels strip of rawhide leather to pull through...my favorite cleaning tool...pipe cleaners.

Best.

 

[Teufelhunden]

Not that jags and tips don't have their place as well, but for 90% of my cleaning, I've been very happy with a bore-snake. Using it gets rid of the possiblility of rattling a steel eyelet down your bore.

That doesn't really answer your question, but I suppose it gives an alternative

-Teuf