M14 Forum

charlie98

I hate cleaning weapons... probably some sort of neurological issue left over from Basic Training.

Following the discussion on Sweet's 7.62 bore cleaner (and I think I'm in trouble with my M1's bore... ) I've often wondered about the best way to clean a bore...

For general cleaning duties on a rifle barrel, not benchrest stuff, mind you, just a general utility weapon like my Socom16 and AR... what is the best way to clean the bore without harming it? That is, using an appropriate cleaner and which...? Nylon or bronze bristle bore brush?

I've always used bronze and have never even considered nylon.. but maybe I'm missing something.

NE450N02

I always use a Bronze brush with regular bore cleaners.

I apply copper specific bore cleaners woth either a patch or a nylon brush.

However, IF you think your barrel is severely fouled then get some J&B bore paste or some Remclean.

NOTHING gets a barrel as clean as these 2 products, IMHO of course...

ps. I have done some cleaning tests with the use of a bore scope....

oakfloor

I have tossed all my brushes, except my M1A chamber brush and now use "Wipout" foaming bore cleaner. Every one of my shooting buddys who tries it have also done the same. Never have I got my rifle so clean before, I used this on all my "really clean" rifles and after about 30+ patches, they came out white. Now it only take a few passes and my rifle is clean. It works for me, try it and see. Just dont let it sit it on your wood stock. Shoot safe

hammer 1

Been using Wipeout also, the stuff is excellent. I also went pretty much to boresnakes. I hate cleaning, and I try to get it done as quick as possible. I really hate the plastic junk left behind in shotguns.

TexIndian

I used bronze brushes back in the day when Hoppes #9 was my idea of the complete solvent. But when I discovered copper solvents that really worked, it became impossible to tell whether the blue-green on my patches was coming from the bore or my bronze brushes. It's been nylon brushes since then. I have a big pile of nasty old bronze brushes that I keep around. I wrap them with a big patch and use them to swab out chambers after cleaning the bore.

Hammer1, I hate the plastic build-up in shotguns, too, especially in the choke tubes. I use GM Top Engine Cleaner for that (about $6-$7/pint at the Chevy house). Put some in a spray bottle and shoot a liberal amount down the bore while holding the barrel horizontal. Then roll the barrel around (still horizontal) and make sure the whole interior gets soaked. Then run a tornado brush down the bore. You'll get a big wad of goo that sometimes stretches from the brush down to the ground.

BTW, the GM cleaner is a great copper and powder solvent, too. Just don't leave it in a cheap spray bottle or it will eat up the bottle and sprayer parts.

smc51

I use the Otis cleaning system to clean my M1's and M1A from the breech. I use plastic bristled brushes and Bore Tech Eliminator. The bronze brushes will give a "false positive" for copper fouling. The system works great.

charlie98

I have noticed that, too, and usually trash my bronze brushes after using Sweet's (et al,) I figure unless I completely rinse the brush out, the ammonia will still continue to attack the brush, anyway.

I have BoreSnakes for both my AR and Socom... I noticed they are imbedded with a bronze bristle... wouldn't Sweet's attack it as well? How long is a BoreSnake supposed to last?

I may have to try that Wipeout stuff...

John Crusher

I buy tipton brushes by the 10 pack at Midway and use Butchs'.I keep a couple of brass brushes for chambers and use mops (buy 'em by the 100 pack and wash in dishwasher).
I use Sweets' after every 1K rounds.

30Caliber

I use bronze brushes and rinse them afterwards in paint thinner to keep them from getting eaten up fast.

Always apply solvent with a dropper bottle. If you're dunking brushes into the bottle, you're exhausting the whole bottle of solvent before it ever gets into the barrel.

charlie98

No kidding X2...!!!

I never thought about using thinner.

...and I never thought about contaminating a bottle of solvent by dunking the brush in it.

tugdriver

Hi All,

I know it is against range safety regulations,but try to clean your barrel with a bronze brush,while the barrel is still hot !!!!!
All Swiss soldiers are doing this,for years !!!
They also use the Swiss "Automaten fett"on that brush.
Ever seen a bad barrel on a Swiss rifle.....??
Is cleaning firearms on the range is allowed in the US ??

Many greets
Frank

30Caliber

Most place that I've been will let you clean at the line or behind it.

cz777

Sweet's 7.62 bore cleaner is Hard on barrels because of the acid in it !!!so be careful with it ,please!!

RAMMAC

Sweet's doesn't have acid, it has ammonia and ammonia can attack the metal over time.

I don't think a bronze brush will hurt the bore of a general duty firearm but since I use Bore Tech's Cu+2 I use a nylon brush so that I don't get a false copper indication.

m1jerm

Ah, yes, and I do heed the advice of guys on Swissrifles and run some waffenfet down the barrel of my K31 after shooting. I think as long as you are on the line and keeping the barrel in proper direction, no one will say much, at least they have not to me.
I think I will try that more often with my other rifles, keeps the crud in there in flux.

As for the brush, I still se brass if I am going for a serious deep cleaning, but reading what you guys are saying about false residue off the bushes with solvent, I may rethink that.