Can I use a T-shirt as a cleaning patch?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Can I use a T-shirt as a cleaning patch?

Posted: 6/15/2001 1:36:06 PM EDT

I just ran outta cleaning patches a couple minutes ago.

If w was to use a 1" sqaure of a T-shirt that is "100%" cotton, would it in any way hurt the bore? Scratch it?

Thanks..

Posted: 6/15/2001 1:37:57 PM EDT

[#1]

i hope not ive been doing that for years and i dont always use white [:)]

Posted: 6/15/2001 1:43:53 PM EDT

[#2]

It depends on how big your gun is, don't see how I'd fit a t-shirt into my gun...

Posted: 6/15/2001 2:07:10 PM EDT

[#3]

will you be wearing the shirt at the time of cleaning?
and will the gun be loaded at the same time? LOL

Posted: 6/15/2001 2:25:46 PM EDT

[#4]

Your girl will be the talk of the town with your slightly modified T-shirts...now what town was that? [:o)]

Posted: 6/15/2001 2:30:04 PM EDT

[#5]

That will cause no problem. You are much more likely to do harm by cleaning from the muzzle, cleaning from the breech without a bore guide, using a cheap cleaning rod, or by leaving a coating of oil in the chamber. These are the most common ways to damage a bore/action. Many guys would help their guns if the DIDN'T clean them.

Posted: 6/15/2001 2:30:45 PM EDT

[#6]

any ol' cotton patch is just fine. Polyester just doesn't get the crap out, but it won't hurt the bore.

I have a five gallon bucket full of old T-Shirts, 100% cotton, and mixed cotton/poly. They make fine rags for gun cleaning. I cut them up for patches all the time.

Nothing magic or special about gun patches. They're just cotton flannel patches.

Posted: 6/15/2001 4:31:30 PM EDT

[#7]

I've been doing this for years. I wear out white t-shirts faster than I can cut each one up into about 8 million little patches. It's a lot cheaper than buying them.

Regards,
SOL

Posted: 6/15/2001 4:35:30 PM EDT

[#8]

My local FFL sells bags of 100% cotton patches made by the Southern Bloomer Company. I guess they cut up their scraps and sell em for gun cleaning. If cotton t-shirt bits are good enough to buy, they must be good enough to use for free.[:)]

Posted: 6/15/2001 4:38:53 PM EDT

[#9]

I tried one, it was hella hard to get into the bore of my .22, and it was about 1/2" x 1/2". as i was putting it in, i heard very loud high pitched screaching noises. so, i stopped imedately.

i tried to duplicate that sound with a regualar patch, but couldnt.

so, now i'm wondering about the t's as cleaning patches..

Posted: 6/15/2001 4:39:36 PM EDT

[#10]

Cotton is generally softer than steel; I thought that was only obvious.

Posted: 6/15/2001 4:41:22 PM EDT

[#11]

I have even gone down to the local fabric store to buy a small of cotton clothe to cut up as cleaning patches. Nothing magical about the pre-cut patches you buy at the gun store, the only thing is that you personally have to cut them up.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Can I use a T-shirt as a cleaning patch?

General » General Discussion

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us