How many use a snake versus a rod to clean their rifle bores?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How many use a snake versus a rod to clean their rifle bores?

Posted: 6/26/2003 5:50:24 AM EDT

I have asked this in the cleaning and maintenance forum without much success. I am gearing up to clean my precious Colt AR15 and am looking to purchase either a dewey type rod or an otis type snake. I want to know how many use which type and what is the best rod or snake to purchase. I also have an M1A that requires cleaning. Whoops, I almost forgot, I have a colt 9mm AR15 I need to buy for also in addition to my .556 colt noted above. Any and all help is appreciated. One last question, if I use a snake, am I right in believing that I would no longer need a bore guide?

Posted: 6/26/2003 5:53:09 AM EDT

[#1]

I use a snake and don't need a bore guide. Seems to work fine for me.

Posted: 6/26/2003 6:04:48 AM EDT

[#2]

I only use a cleaning rod if I'm using copper solvent.

Posted: 6/26/2003 6:07:34 AM EDT

[#3]

I use a snake to for a fast job and the Dewey rod if I have more time. I like the snake just fine...

C4

Posted: 6/26/2003 6:08:30 AM EDT

[#4]

Snake user here, I have one for every caliber I have. I also have a Dewey rod, but most of the time its just the snake, I don't shoot near enough any more to use a rod. Ronald

Posted: 6/26/2003 6:12:20 AM EDT

[#5]

I use the Otis tactical cleaning kit for almost everything except my PSS which gete the Dewey coated cleaning rod treatment[;)].

On my AR I do use a short rod for the chamber brush.

Posted: 6/26/2003 6:53:06 AM EDT

[#6]

Otis for me, too. It cleans everything I own, and fits easily into my range bag.

I'll use a rod if I'm trying to clean something REALLY dirty, like and new C&R rifle, but for every day stuff, the Otis works like a charm.

Posted: 6/26/2003 6:55:32 AM EDT

[#7]

I use an Otis rod on all of my firearms, from Glock 19, M16, to .308 PSS. There is no flexing of the rod, there for no need to worry about damaging your muzzle. You can pull a tighter patch through a bore than you can push, resulting in more effcient cleaning. Another advantage is I can carry an Otis kit into the field.

The Azalin

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:06:18 AM EDT

[#8]

Snake in every caliber that I own.

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:08:06 AM EDT

[#9]

Snake only. For the AR's I have a "dirty" and "clean" snake.

Might run a well-oiled patch down the barrel if my non-chromed ones will be stored for a long time.

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:11:11 AM EDT

[#10]

Otis works great, and you can make your own
patches when theirs runs out. Very strong unit.

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:57:06 AM EDT

[#11]

I use both. I use a snake most of the time but every 3 or 4 times to the range I will use both. The snake for the main then a rod and brush and so on. I just got my chamber brush yesterday so it is a happy day. I take my rifle COMPLETELY apart for every cleaning (which is after every shoot) I go through Q-tips like crazy because they work great to clean the little holes and by the gas tube in the receiver. I only use a snake in my AR though. for my HKs I use a Rod.

Posted: 6/26/2003 8:12:36 AM EDT

[#12]

I use the Bore snakes as well. I like to keep things simple.

Posted: 6/26/2003 9:34:52 AM EDT

[#13]

I use a Dewey for all cleaning with a slotted bore guide to apply solvent or oil to the patches. Works great for me. I use the snake to apply a light coating of CLP prior to storing the rifle.

Posted: 6/26/2003 9:38:02 AM EDT

[#14]

Bore snake for me. Its unbelievable. 2 swipes and the barrel is mirror like.

Posted: 6/26/2003 9:40:34 AM EDT

[#15]

I only use a snake in the field.

At home I'll use a rod, wirebrush, and patches are more effective at removing fouling.

A good 1-pc rod is worth the $$.

Posted: 6/26/2003 11:24:41 AM EDT

[#16]

I use a bore snake instead of patches. I still use the rod with the brush, but instead of running 6 or so patches through, I just run a Snake through.

Posted: 6/26/2003 11:36:17 AM EDT

[#17]

I use both. A couple of passes with a patch to get the really big dirt, then I run the snake a couple of times. About every other cleaning, I really hit it good with a brush. Occasionally, I use copper solvent.

Posted: 6/26/2003 11:37:53 AM EDT

[#18]

Otis only.

Posted: 6/26/2003 12:40:03 PM EDT

[#19]

Snake it!

All my rods are gathering dust.

Posted: 6/26/2003 3:08:07 PM EDT

[#20]

I have snakes and dewey's only. I use the snakes 95% of the time and it gets the bores just as clean IMO. I only see the rods as useful if you need to scrub out copper.
SorryOciffer

Posted: 6/26/2003 3:20:32 PM EDT

[#21]

Bore snake for me. I keep a GI kit in the stock. You never know when you might need the rod on the field.
GG

Posted: 6/26/2003 4:17:30 PM EDT

[#22]

I use Bore Snakes for rifles, pistols and revolvers.
They're Great!

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:34:16 PM EDT

[#23]

A snake all the way although Ill use a rod with a patch inside the carrier I also use a .45 bore brush /rod on the inside of the carrier,works great.

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:52:54 PM EDT

[#24]

I treat my AR15's like the fine rifles they are and clean them properly, that is with a bore guide in the chamber and a good dewey rod. I do not own a bore snake but suspect they would be fine field expedient cleaning devices. since I come home at night the rifles get put in the B&D workmate vice and cleaned pretty thoroughly every time they return be it 20 rounds fired or 300 rounds. I do the same thing for a bolt-action rifle.

I was frankly surprised to see so many AR-15 guys use the bore snake. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the snake, but I never heard of a precision shooter using one for anything but last resort. (Not that those geeks are allways right!)

Posted: 6/26/2003 7:56:20 PM EDT

[#25]

Spare the snake and spoil the rod.

Posted: 6/26/2003 10:34:21 PM EDT

[#26]

smake user only....i f***ing HATE rods with a passion

Posted: 6/26/2003 10:50:43 PM EDT

[#27]

I'm using basic steel rods and patches.

Maybe I need to switch to something softer / faster but if they are good enough for soldiers I'm fine with it, for NOW.

Posted: 6/27/2003 12:15:11 AM EDT

[#28]

I LOVE bore snakes! Probably the best thing ever invented. All one piece, nothing to lose. I also have the Otis tactical kit which is pretty nice, but there are just too many little parts for me to lose, but it's a very nice set for multipe calibers and stores small, but I definitley prefer the bore snake for a quick cleaning of the barrel.

Posted: 6/27/2003 3:30:19 AM EDT

[#29]

I use the bore snake before the trip back home then run a patch till nice and clean (usually once or twice)

Posted: 6/27/2003 4:48:35 AM EDT

[#30]

Snake in the field, and rod at home. The mil-spec kit is always in the buttstock just in case.

Posted: 6/27/2003 6:52:00 AM EDT

[#31]

I just started using the Otis snake system, and I like it a lot. My only gripe is that twisting the chamber brush to clean out the locking lug area is nigh unto impossible with the Otis setup, but I usually attack it from the receiver end with a rod anyway.

When it comes to cleaning the bore the Otis stuff works well.

Posted: 6/27/2003 7:25:06 AM EDT

[#32]

SNAKE! I also use a chamber brush on a rod.

Posted: 6/27/2003 7:43:12 AM EDT

[#33]

I have another question for all the snake users, how do you clean the snake after every usage?

I had a 12 gauge snake for my Bernelli, and is now considering a snake for both my M4s.

BTW: My SSG and Sig LRS-2 have Dewey rods, and my M-1As have the Otis kit.

Posted: 6/27/2003 9:08:39 AM EDT

[#34]

I have added up every response. If someone uses both snake and rod, I gave them credit to both. The snakes have twenty six (26) responses compared to thirteen (13) for the rod. Just for your info. rhatland

Posted: 6/27/2003 9:19:38 AM EDT

[#35]

Another Bore Snake lover here! Jumped on the bandwagon as soon as they came out and haven't used anything else since - Gunscrubber, Bore Snake, Rem-Oil. I have them in every caliber I shoot except my new .17HMR. I know they make a .17, I just haven't put my hands on one yet...

Posted: 6/27/2003 10:04:23 AM EDT

[#36]

The Snake is great for general cleaning in the field, but try running a patch on a rod through the bore after a couple of passes with the snake- yup, still comes out kinda dirty.

The snake is awesome if you are breaking in the barrel at a range- very unobtrusive, and you can easily run it through the bore with nothing more than an open bolt.

To sum up: boresnake for the field, Dewey rod for the coffee table [:)]

Posted: 6/27/2003 11:54:59 AM EDT

[#37]

There is a difference between the Bore Snake product from Uncle Mikes, and a snake based system like the Otis system that uses patches.

The Otis system is a high tensile steel cable surrounded by plastic with brass threads that you can use to attatch patch holders and brushes.

I have been using the Otis system for a few weeks now, and I think it is overall the best system I have used. Look them up here:

[url] http://www.otisgun.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/fcatalog.html&setup=1&cart_id= [/url]

Posted: 6/27/2003 11:55:03 AM EDT

[#38]

I've used nothing gut a bore snake on my AR since I bought it. The bore still looks brand new after ~2000 rounds. Definitely use a chamber brush, but a rod is time consuming and in my opinion unneeded.

Posted: 6/30/2003 10:10:29 PM EDT

[#39]

Snake. Thought it was another gimmicky toy until I tried one. If you've never used one, give it a try. Ask someone at the range to demonstrate it, they'll be happy to bring you over to the darkside.

Posted: 7/1/2003 5:28:21 AM EDT

[#40]

i just bought a 10/22 recently and got a snake with it since i knew i didnt want to fight a rod down that chamber. since then ive been using it on all of my rifles. ill be breaking in a new AR tomorrow and ill be bringing the snake. its so much faster and i think if you use the brushes with it you can clean just as well as a rod.

Posted: 7/1/2003 11:51:34 AM EDT

[#41]

Boresnake. While I'll be the first to admit that it doesn't clean the bore 100%, it cleans it enough that the bore is well-maintained and accuracy hasn't suffered at all.

Since I don't get anything extra for cleaning my bore past that point, a snake works fine for me.

Posted: 7/1/2003 5:43:13 PM EDT

[#42]

Otis. Once you get the trick to the patches, its outstanding.

Posted: 7/1/2003 6:57:18 PM EDT

[#43]

Vinnie, it's mine and I'll wash it as fast as I want.

Dewey for copper removal. Snake for quick cleaning.

Posted: 7/2/2003 6:45:02 AM EDT

[#44]

I agree with Bartholomew_Roberts, the snake does not clean nearly as well as the rod and patch. In fact, I'll run a snake through my AR15 at the range and can still put 7-10 patches down the barrel to get it spotless. But on the other hand I feel I save about 7-10 passes with a patch by using a snake

Posted: 7/2/2003 7:01:15 AM EDT

[#45]

I'm thinking of using a snake for my 'field cleaning' of my boltgun.

Posted: 7/2/2003 8:10:47 AM EDT

[#46]

I've tried rod, snake, and Otis.

I've switched to Otis 100% for bore cleaning, NATO chamber brush w/ a section of GI rod for cleaning the chamber and locking lugs.

Posted: 7/2/2003 4:04:25 PM EDT

[#47]

Otis. Pay a little more for the Elite kit and have everything you need to clean just about every firearm in existance and then some.

Posted: 7/2/2003 7:45:48 PM EDT

[#48]

Snake for the field, Dewey for home.
After every 3 magazines or so, I use the Snake for a quick clean.
When I get home, a Very thorough cleaning with patches and cleaners.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How many use a snake versus a rod to clean their rifle bores?

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