Cleaning rods when not used properly can cause damage. The method and the tools used are very important when cleaning gun barrels with a cleaning rod. Not using the correct tools can result in damaged barrel which will hamper your shooting or even cause accidents in the blowing up of the barrel when a shot is taken.
Aluminum cleaning rods when not used properly and carefully can cause damage in the bore of a gun. The rod may bend under pressure when rotating so a little oil will help with the process. Due to it being low priced and prone to bending and sometimes breaking, dislodging year old debris from a rifle is not advised.
The crown can be damaged as well depending on the cleaning rod used. There are many cleaning rods that are used for barrel cleanings for example, aluminum, brass, stainless steel and carbon fiber cleaning rods. So, let’s talk about them first.
What are the Alternatives to Aluminum Rods for Cleaning Gun Barrels?
The most common alloy used as firearm cleaning rods is aluminum. It’s light and affordable and commonly used as budget cleaning rods. The metal is malleable in nature; small loose particles can form while cleaning and cause damage to the bore. If the rod is cleaned before and after its use then this damage can be minimized.
Carbon Fiber Cleaning Rods
Carbon fiber cleaning rod can withstand a lot of force to reach those hard to get places in the bore of your firearm without causing any damage. Its ability to withstand intense bending and return perfectly straight is what makes it stand out from others.
Due to its light-weight property it’s the favorite cleaning rod for expensive firearms. Compared to other cleaning rods like stainless steel or brass, carbon fiber is expensive and prone to breaking under extreme conditions.
Stainless Steel Cleaning Rods
Like other metals stainless steel can pick up grit which could scratch and destroy the accuracy of the bore. SS is a strong metal so it won’t easily bend which makes an excellent quality for cleaning rods. Carrying it to the range would be difficult due it being heavy that’s why it’s not preferred for use in the field.
Brass Cleaning Rods
Although brass is less prone to wear out than aluminum, it’s soft metal collects grit which can get stuck. The stuck particles can cause scratches if the rod is not clean properly.
The brass rod’s weight is on the heavy side which is it’s only downfall.
How to Clean Gun Barrels Using Cleaning Rods?
How accurate your aim is depends primarily on the barrel so if it’s clogged up with grits and flakes from the bullet then your accuracy will be hampered. The solution is to use a gun cleaning rod and the various tools that come with it to clean the bore.
To get the best possible outcome from cleaning your barrel, follow these basic steps which can be implemented while cleaning all gun barrels. But let’s check out what you’ll be needing to clean a gun barrel.
Things you need for cleaning your gun:
- Cleaning rods
- Utility brush
- Cotton buds
- Cleaning solvents
- Cleaning patch
- Clean clothes
Step 1: The most important step for you and your family, check if your gun is loaded or not, remove the magazine and check if any ammunition that might be loaded within the gun. Avoiding a final visual and feel check causes accidents happen more often than you would imagine.
Step 2: To clean the inside of your barrel, start by applying cleaning solvents on a cleaning patch. By using a cleaning rod with a patch holder tip, run the cleaning patch through the barrel. The cleaning patch will remove fouling from the bore when used with the cleaning solvents.
If you still see grimes stuck on the grooves and hard to reach places then by using a utility brush or cotton buds those small particles can be removed.
Step 3: By checking the amount of residue coming out of the barrel you can tell if the firearms barrel is clean enough or not. You can also run a clean cloth through the barrel to check if it’s sufficiently clean or not. Make sure the cloth is dry and clean if not then the whole process becomes redundant.
Few Additional Tips:
When running the cleaning rod make sure you don’t rush the process, a slight lapse in concentration can permanently ruin the inside of the barrel or the crown of the muzzle.
Another sure way of not damaging the barrel is by using a bore guide and using the cleaning rod through it.
Conclusion
Everytime a firearm is used, a small amount of particles get stuck to the bore. Over time the carbon from the propeller and metal flakes from the bullets get attached inside the bore. If these grits are not cleaned properly and regularly they can cause serious damage to the barrel of the firearm.
To get the maximum output from your gun you must use a good gun cleaning rod kit which can be used to accomplish all the necessary tasks mentioned above. Gun cleaning can become a boring and tiring job quickly so using the right tools and accessories is essential to the method.
Aluminum cleaning rods can be a good choice when first starting out as it is cheap and can easily be replaced. The gun being expensive cannot so when cleaning few tips and tricks must be kept in mind; being careful that the rod does not bend while swiveling. Carbon fiber cleaning rods are on the opposite side of the spectrum, they are expensive and come with a wide array of tools.
With so many gun cleaning products available choosing the right one can be a huge undertaking in this busy scheduled lifestyle. The daunting task of choosing can be less of a hassle then an adventure if you follow the above mentioned guide to buying gun cleaning rods and also if the steps to cleaning your firearm are followed.
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