TargetTalk

I have picked up a couple of new target pistols ( Hammerli, SIG Hammerli and SIG pistols) and Im wanting some expert advice about cleaning.

A long time ago I had been told to never use stainless steel brushes to clean a gun because it can scratch the bore surface.

Question(s): what type of brushes and/or tools should I use to safely clean an expensive target pistol's barrel??? What solvents and/or cleaners/chemicals are safe to use?

What type of tools, cleaners and/or chemicals should be avoided???

Also; any other tricks or principles for good safe bore cleaning ????

One more inquire; Ive also heard that you should always clean from the chamber side of the bore and to only move the cleaning tools and materials in the direction the bullet travels and to never clean opposite the direction of the bullets travel ( in other words; dont clean from the mussel end toward the chamber because this is going "against the grain" counter to the flow of the bullet travel)......... any thoughts on this concept???

Thanks for any help in this area.

DAO

Unless you have leading, all you need to clean is a solvent-soaked patch. If there IS leading, use a bronze bristle brush.

The reason for cleaning from the breech is to avoid wearing/damaging the critical muzzle crown with a steel (or worse, grit retaining aluminum) cleaning rod. Any other reason is BS.

What he said.

I just don't clean it anymore. I was given a tin of felt barrel cleaning pellets so every once in a while, when I see them and I feel like it, I'll put a drop of MEC.ca bio bike chain cleaner on them, then shoot a few more pellets to remove the 'solvent'. More can go wrong with a brush. If you don't have felt pellets, cotton swabs work very well. Just pack them enough before putting it in your pistol/rifle and fire without a pellet in to make sure there's no cotton in it.

Still find it a useless exercise but I can't say I've vise tested a barrel that has seen a few thousands pellets vs a clean one. We may see that test from Rover a few years down the line... ; )

It wouldn't take me a few years to shoot a few thousand pellets.

The idea of clean vs. dirty air pistol bore had never occurred to me. You're right; I may test that someday. Of course, some guys don't buy into my pellet tests (WTF does HE know). That's why I say do it yourself.

I also break the tips off a Q-Tip and shoot them to clean the bore. Problem is lint in the muzzle brake.

Be extremely careful if using any kind of solvent with a spring gun or SSP. (Don't ask!)

I could not tell by your post if you were concerened about cleaning airgus or 22's.
In the case of airguns i use one of the felt cleaning pellets after ca 500 rounds.
In the case of 22 pistols I only use a patch soaked with Hoppe's#9 puilled through the bore from the chamber end with the aid of some 15 lb. test monofilament fishing line.