I have a 36" long Tipton carbon fiber cleaning rod for use in a 223 AR15.  Out of the box, the rod is bent.  If you clamp the handle in a vise and turn the rod with your fingers at the handle end, the jag end scribes a circle 1/2" in diameter.  The rod itself is curved, you can sight down the rod and see it.  I use it with a Lucas Bore Guide and the jag end does bear lightly against the side of the barrel that the rod curves to.  Not much pressure at all, but you can just feel it.  Will carbon fiber rubbing on the barrel interior harm it?  I am not sure it bent enough to do this, but just asking.  I found the rod VERY difficult to get down the bore, but I think this was due to the Tipton patches which were 1-1/8".  I had to trim them to even fit in the bore.  

How straight are cleaning rods supposed to be?  This is my first one, so I have no historical perspective to go on.  I need to use the rod tomorrow (but won't if I should not), so appreciate any responses asap.  

Thank you.  

- Phil

Send it back and have them give you a new one.

Get a coated Dewey Rod. I have the Tipton CF rod and the Dewey and the Dewey is the better rod in every way.