I have never had an issue using a snake on my pistols. Using a snake on small caliber rifles 22, 223, etc can be very difficult and I could see one possibly getting stuck. I find them very convenient and easy to carry. I do spray the snake upstream of the first brush with cleaner prior to pulling thru 3-4 times
Bore Snakes: Do You Use Them
- Thread starter southtex
- Start date
Probably the only way to get one stuck permanently would be using a nylon bore snake through a hot barrel. The nylon could possibly melt to the interior barrel surface making it impossible to pull through. I do all my cleaning at home after a range session so my guns are typically cool to touch when cleaning and I've never run into an issue.
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AnOldBiker
Alpha
I swear by them.
One for each rifle.
One for each rifle.
Some are washable...I occasionally wash them in warm soapy water then rinse and let dry
Tactical-Reviews
Master Class
I've only used the one bore snake, what I didn't care for was feeding it through the barrel. In addition to that, you only get the one pass with the brush. For me, I like to start with a rod to get a good cleaning with brush going in and out a few times, then switch to a cable to finish the cleaning off.
I use a bore snake after each use of a firearm at the range. 2 or 3 pulls just to get out any residual powder and carbon. At home i do my usual cleaning.
On my 17 HMR rifle i use an Otis snake. The smaller calibers are alittle harder to clean with a snake but i still clean the rifle at the range.
Otis is a very sturdy snake and a bit tight to pull, an Otis brush can be screwed in at the end of the snake and an Otis "T" handle added to the front of the snake to assist in pulling the snake, these options may be helpful for some people. I also use an Otis snake on my 380 and 9mm.
Cleaning of any snake, warm soapy water in a bucket, let the snake sit for awhile, stir on occassion and then rinse.
This is my two cents on bore snakes.
KChill
Alpha
I have used them for a quick cleaning only after shooting minimally. I have always used the old tried and true rod cleaning to do the deep cleaning after shooting hundreds/thousands of rounds down range. I can also say from my experiance that the more lead fouling you have the tighter/harder it us pull a bore snake through a barrel and have seen the pull rope broken as a result.
Bore snakes have their place, but do nothing that a rod and brush can't do with a little more time and attention.
Bore snakes have their place, but do nothing that a rod and brush can't do with a little more time and attention.
"...I do spray the snake upstream of the first brush with cleaner prior to pulling thru 3-4 times."
Ditto, using CLP. I also spray some on the tail end of the snake to coat/lube the barrel. I don't get over-exuberant with the number of rounds shot while at the range, so the snake seems to be doing well for the pistols and rifle.
Keystone19250
SAINT
Brush and rod then a blast of cleaner swab with a rod and an oil cloth then a blast of oil.
Classified
Professional
I think they are great to wrap up and pack inside the grip compartment, with a little solvent on it. This keeps it ready to go whenever you may need it.
BET7
Ronin
Yup, the complete Otis cleaning kit. Got it myself, has everything you need (of course it looks like you got some extra lubes & sprays, a bore scope light, etc.,) Mine had a few lubes in it along with all the brushes, cleaning cables of different lengths, patches, portable field cleaning kit, etc., likeTactical-Reviews picture shows. Thumbs up Tactical
BET7
Ronin
Or you can save up and get a Ruger Mark IV, they’re a breeze to disassemble / reassemble.
. Fortunately, I never had the pleasure of disassembling a Ruger Mark I-III. I’ve hear of some owners that have sent them in to the NRA to reassemble, must be a bear to do & why Ruger came out with the Mark IV (I have two of them & they’re a pleasure to work on)