Cleaning Rods

[GonnePhishin]

Am in the market for a new cleaning rod. Can anyone give any advice on type to buy or have experience with?
Are their any advantages to brass over aluminum or stainless steel or carbon fiber or coated rods?

Any tips or advice is appreciated.

[Travis Morgan]

Don't use rusty rebar or all thread.

[Bear 45/70]

I've gone away from the standard type cleaning rods. I have been using the Otis system for some time now and am very happy with it. When I need a ram rod I have a set of brass ones. Check out the Hunting and Sport System.

http://www.otisgun.com/cgistore/store.c ... 1&cart_id=

[odinohi]

Can you tell me more about using this system with a lever action? I hate to admit it, but I really have no idea how to clean a levergun. Thats just one more reason I'm hanging out with you guys. Thanks Bear, in advance. Tom

I've gone away from the standard type cleaning rods. I have been using the Otis system for some time now and am very happy with it. When I need a ram rod I have a set of brass ones. Check out the Hunting and Sport System.

http://www.otisgun.com/cgistore/store.c ... 1&cart_id=

[Bear 45/70]

It is always best to clean from the chamber to the muzzle. The Otis system has plastic coated wire that will feed into the barrel thru the chamber wiht the bolt open and you pull the brushes and patches thru the barrel.

[Travis Morgan]

It is always best to clean from the chamber to the muzzle. The Otis system has plastic coated wire that will feed into the barrel thru the chamber wiht the bolt open and you pull the brushes and patches thru the barrel.

+1. Very handy.

[Borregos]

I now use Dewey cleaning rods, they are coated and really very good

[odinohi]

Thanks guys, Tom

[AJMD429]

I like the Tipton one I have so much (carbon fiber) that I got rid of all my aluminum, brass, and nylon-coated ones. It has a good handle, too. I also got rid of all the brushes, pullers, and patch-tips that didn't fit THAT rod, except shotgun-threaded ones, which will work on the Tipton rod with a little thread-adaptor.

I got so tired of putting rods together, finding out threads mismatched, etc.

So, now I use 'Bore Snakes' for most cleaning or to keep in a field kit, and the rod I mostly use when a gun needs deep cleaning. The 'snakes' are super good and can be dropped in from the breech on any kind of action. Marlins are easy to take apart, but you hardly ever have to.

The only guns that seem to get really dirty are the .22's, especially the semiautomatics, and a toothbrush and aerosol spray will clean their actions.

[Tycer]

+1 on the Otis. I buy the tacticals.

Here's a vid I did for my daughter on a pistol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALOBOP0Pe7I

[GonnePhishin]

Thanks for he replies

[marlinman93]

I use the Bore Snakes also. When they get really dirty I just toss them in hot soapy water and let them soak, then hang them up to dry and spray them with my bore cleaner. They're ready to clean hundreds of guns again! I don't buy them for every caliber, as they will work on numerous bore sizes, so I only have 4-5.

[morgan in nm]

I have never used a carbon rod but I have used all others and my take on this is, brass is fine unless you are planning on using some type of copper solvent, aluminum is junk because you have to remember what a grinding stone is made out of, nylon-covered are ok except when you have a really sharp crown and it splits the nylon. I have been using stainless rods for all of my stuff and sometimes, a brass muzzle protector when I can't clean from the chamber. Whatever you use, don't use a jointed rod. People have a tendancy to saw their muzzles with them. That is why many surplus weapons have bad crowns.

[El Chivo]

I use a rod that I coated myself with electrical tape.

I try to be careful with it even though it's coated. I usually feed it in through the muzzle and when the tip is in the receiver, I put in a patch and wet it, and pull it out.

Lately I've been using wooden dowel sticks instead. You can get various sizes for a tight fit. I push patches through and then pick them out at the receiver end.

I realize you can take off the lever to clean from the chamber end but I don't want to do that every time and bugger the screws.

[Bear 45/70]

I use a rod that I coated myself with electrical tape.

I try to be careful with it even though it's coated. I usually feed it in through the muzzle and when the tip is in the receiver, I put in a patch and wet it, and pull it out.

Lately I've been using wooden dowel sticks instead. You can get various sizes for a tight fit. I push patches through and then pick them out at the receiver end.

I realize you can take off the lever to clean from the chamber end but I don't want to do that every time and bugger the screws.

Hows that work on a 22? Muzzle to chamber is a poor cleaning method.

[1886]

Tipton carbon fiber rods. 1886.

[HATCHETTJACK]

+1 on the bore snake.... best invention ever imho

[madman4570]

Keep checking Midway- they have sales on their Tipton carbon fiber one piece rods.
I love mine,it rotates perfectly with the rifling. wont damage barrel.
I think I paid around $23 last june!

[AJMD429]

I realize you can take off the lever to clean from the chamber end but I don't want to do that every time and bugger the screws.

I wish you could get a replacement lever-screw for the Marlins that had a hex-head, or even phillips or a wider slot. Actually, how about a knurled one...?!

[Chuck 100 yd]

I use stainless rods with brass bore guides on my leverguns.

[El Chivo]

Hows that work on a 22? Muzzle to chamber is a poor cleaning method.

I'm not talking about .22's.

[GonnePhishin]

I've never used a bore snake but will give it a try.
Once again thanks for all the advice.

[JohndeFresno]

Bore snake for all pistols, rifles, shotguns.

[Travis Morgan]

I realize you can take off the lever to clean from the chamber end but I don't want to do that every time and bugger the screws.

I wish you could get a replacement lever-screw for the Marlins that had a hex-head, or even phillips or a wider slot. Actually, how about a knurled one...?!

That's how you know you're dealing with a guy that shoots and cleans his guns a lot; all the screw head on the outside of the gun are thumbscrews.

[JReed]

Another vote for Ottis. Their system rocks.

[Hobie]

You might note that several posts better suited for PMs were removed. Keep such stuff off-line.

[Ysabel Kid]

Been a Dewey fan for years. Goin' to have to try the Otis system though, given the rave reviews. I do carry a kit in my shooting bag - along with some bore snakes, but always thought of them as something to use when a cleaning rod wasn't available...

[Borregos]

Thanks for cleaning that up Hobie
I posted earlier that I use Dewey rods, but I also have the Otis system which is good and use bore snakes for speed

[AmBraCol]

Been a Dewey fan for years. Goin' to have to try the Otis system though, given the rave reviews. I do carry a kit in my shooting bag - along with some bore snakes, but always thought of them as something to use when a cleaning rod wasn't available...

I picked up a few bore snakes years ago for use when traveling. Somehow they just don't seem a proper substitute for a good rod with jags and brushes and such. They're great for a quick once over, but I don't rest easy 'til I've had the chance to go over the weapon with a good rod and all the proper lubes and bore cleaners and what not. I don't even have a rifle rod down here since I don't have anything but pellet rifles. The pistol rod I use is a cheapo brass rod picked up at chinamart that stores in the hollow plastic handle. Compact and works great for most stuff on my packin' pistol. I'm thinking of picking up something better this time north though.

[Lefty Dude]

I use solid brass rods for the heavy cleaning and Bore Snakes for light cleaning.

[jnyork]

I realize you can take off the lever to clean from the chamber end but I don't want to do that every time and bugger the screws.

I wish you could get a replacement lever-screw for the Marlins that had a hex-head, or even phillips or a wider slot. Actually, how about a knurled one...?!

If you get a screwdriver bit ground to fit the slot properly, you wont have any trouble with buggering up the lever screw, mine have been out probably a hundred times and still look new. If you dont have a proper set of good gunsmith screwdrivers, now might be a good time to get one. Forget the ones at Wallyworld in the little plastic case, go to Brownells and spend the bucks for a good set, will last your lifetime and keep up the value of your rifle

I use Dewey rods exclusively and am well pleased with them.

[Travis Morgan]

I've seriously considered putting socket head screws on my sixshooters, just so I won't bugger anything, and so it'll be easier to take 'em completely apart for detailed cleaning. As rarely as I get around to going out and shooting, I shoot a lot when I do go. They look like someone smeared black crud on the frames with a butter knife, when I'm done for the day.