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2/8/2010 8:36:41 PM EDT
What do you people think of Bore snakes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of them?
2/8/2010 8:40:52 PM EDT
[#1]
I like them because I can put one in my ACS stock.
2/8/2010 8:42:54 PM EDT
[#2]
I think they are good for quick field use.

I don't think they do a super good job of cleaning or lubing...sort of in between...so when I have the time I use "normal" cleaning gear.
2/8/2010 8:49:28 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I think they are good for quick field use.

I don't think they do a super good job of cleaning or lubing...sort of in between...so when I have the time I use "normal" cleaning gear.


^
2/9/2010 1:04:05 AM EDT
[#4]
I like them for quick easy cleaning. Deep cleaning requires the old method.
2/9/2010 6:48:21 AM EDT
[#5]
agreed.....great for feild use.
2/9/2010 10:35:04 AM EDT
[#6]
All I use. Whats interesting is the common belief is a squeaky clean bore requires a few fouling shots to settle in and shoot its best. Well, in my mind getting squeaky clean defeats the purpose.

I put Hoppes down the barell, run the snake down a few times and put it away for the next time.
2/9/2010 11:04:35 AM EDT
[#7]
The advantages are that it can be carried in a small package in the field and does a quick field clean of the bore.

The disadvantages:
They don't clean well.
They drag grit and fouling right back through the bore, possibly scratching it.
Nylon is abrasive and constant use can wear the critical muzzle if allowed to rub on it.
Like all pull-through devices they WILL break off in the bore.  This is especially likely with snakes that are laundered and reused.  As they are used and laundered, they weaken and will break.  Manufacturers have no recommended method of extracting a broken-off snake, and a broken-off snake takes the weapon out of service until some method can be found to extract it.
Broken-off snakes are more likely in the smaller caliber weapons.

Bottom line, the bore snake is an expedient, partial cleaner best limited to use in the field.  Use on a high quality barrel is risky.

2/9/2010 2:44:17 PM EDT
[#8]
Its all i use on my .22s. seems to work good for them with minimal effort
2/9/2010 3:10:22 PM EDT
[#9]
I use them on every gun that I own.
2/9/2010 4:06:58 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
The advantages are that it can be carried in a small package in the field and does a quick field clean of the bore.

The disadvantages:
They don't clean well.
They drag grit and fouling right back through the bore, possibly scratching it.
Nylon is abrasive and constant use can wear the critical muzzle if allowed to rub on it.
Like all pull-through devices they WILL break off in the bore.  This is especially likely with snakes that are laundered and reused.  As they are used and laundered, they weaken and will break.  Manufacturers have no recommended method of extracting a broken-off snake, and a broken-off snake takes the weapon out of service until some method can be found to extract it.
Broken-off snakes are more likely in the smaller caliber weapons.

Bottom line, the bore snake is an expedient, partial cleaner best limited to use in the field.  Use on a high quality barrel is risky.


I use a .17 caliber snake for my .22 caliber guns to eliminate this possibility. As others have said, good for quicky clean, but no substitute for a proper cleaning.

2/9/2010 8:53:13 PM EDT
[#11]
Bore Snakes are for people who don't know any better or just don't give a shit! A Dewey Rod and jag clean far better.

I have a bunch of Bore Snakes I use for drying oil from stored guns before they go in to service again. About all they are good for.
2/10/2010 5:06:30 PM EDT
[#12]
America's answer to the knotted shoe lace.
2/10/2010 7:09:18 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
The advantages are that it can be carried in a small package in the field and does a quick field clean of the bore.

The disadvantages:
They don't clean well.
They drag grit and fouling right back through the bore, possibly scratching it.
Nylon is abrasive and constant use can wear the critical muzzle if allowed to rub on it.
Like all pull-through devices they WILL break off in the bore.  This is especially likely with snakes that are laundered and reused.  As they are used and laundered, they weaken and will break.  Manufacturers have no recommended method of extracting a broken-off snake, and a broken-off snake takes the weapon out of service until some method can be found to extract it.
Broken-off snakes are more likely in the smaller caliber weapons.

Bottom line, the bore snake is an expedient, partial cleaner best limited to use in the field.  Use on a high quality barrel is risky.



Always clean from chamber to muzzle be it with rod or snake. Once started never reverse direction, ever, with either.

Bore snake works. I never left the wire without one and that was seven days out of every ten..  

Murphy's rules dictate I won't need it until I don't have it so I also carry a sectional rod with a blunt tip for removing a bore obstruction.

I use a bore snake in the field. I use Kolpin and Dewy rods at home. The Dewey is the nicer of the two but both give good service.

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