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best way to clean a .22 pistol?
- Thread starter SineMetu82
- Start date
I now have both. I fully cleaned it before I used it (always a good idea, even with a brand new gun because there's lube and stuff all over it, or so I was told).
Now I use a boresnake after shooting. If you boresnake after usuing it every time or so, you should only have to break it down and clean it a couple times a year (again, so I've been told).
ETA: the cleaning kit I have has attachments for different calibers, that might save you money so you don't have to buy lots of different accesories).
Now I use a boresnake after shooting. If you boresnake after usuing it every time or so, you should only have to break it down and clean it a couple times a year (again, so I've been told).
ETA: the cleaning kit I have has attachments for different calibers, that might save you money so you don't have to buy lots of different accesories).
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
- Messages
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- 5
yeah I have one of the rod kits with brushes for my rifles and pistols, but since I don t yet have brushes for a .22 and have heard of people just using the snake on .22 I thought to ask.
How effective do you feel the snake is compared to a brush?
How effective do you feel the snake is compared to a brush?
Can only speak for myself. Shotgun/Skeet....weekly. Only wipe down exterior and put grease on pivot points. Clean it (thoroughly) about once a month.
Pistol....both 9MM and .45 ACP. Depending on practice rounds, will only do a "cursory" cleaning....bolt face, extractor, etc. BBL. left untouched until after a match. Just enough to make sure all functions smoothly.
Revolvers....have a few. Will clean the chambers after each firing and do a "cursory" on the frame. BBL left alone until at least 400 rds. (again, only me). Cylinder face cleaned with each thorough cleaning.
.22's.....very forgiving. Have a Rem 597, an original Rem Nylon 66, a S&W 617 and a 622. Thoroughly clean them when I feel like it....no matter the rounds. A cursory is all that seems necessary in between the "thorough".
Don't want to confuse you, and not saying this is the way things should be. Just imparting how I approach and handle things.
Executive
NES Member
When enough gunk builds up that you start having problems, clean it. I like using a boresnake. Easy. Fast. Effective. Of course this is on my Mark III which is not the easiest firearm to keep clean. Some #9 in the barrel helps loosen up any deposits before running the boresnake through. I have also alternated a bronze brush betwen boresnake passes for more aggressive lead removal. Everyone does it a little differently. M pro 7 works well too. You just need to try different products and techniques to find what you are comfortable with. Good luck.
Chris
Chris
A boresnake is all you need for the barrel (or revolver cylinder). Use some solvent, a toothbrush, and rags for the rest. I thoroughly clean the barrel with a bore brush and patches after every dozen or so range trips.
Conventional wisdom says that more .22s were worn out by cleaning than shooting. I have no idea if that's true or not, but it fits in with my 'don't over-clean' philosophy.
Conventional wisdom says that more .22s were worn out by cleaning than shooting. I have no idea if that's true or not, but it fits in with my 'don't over-clean' philosophy.
Bob J
NES Member
Agree completely with Eddie..... Was always nervous with cleaning rods and such down the barrel of any of my guns but the boresnake is safe, convenient and effective (IMHO)..... Hoppes #9 for solvent works great for me and would add Q-Tips to the toothbrush/rags already mentioned....
I am a big fan of the Bore Snake for small cal. barrels (.22 and .223) and "Dry Lube" for actions.
After use with any of my guns I clean the bolt face and chamber with Gun Scrubber, patch the chamber with 40-X or #9 bore cleaner and run the Bore Snake through. Lube the guts with Dry Lube, wipe the metal with a silicone cloth...done.
After use with any of my guns I clean the bolt face and chamber with Gun Scrubber, patch the chamber with 40-X or #9 bore cleaner and run the Bore Snake through. Lube the guts with Dry Lube, wipe the metal with a silicone cloth...done.
I'm with Eddie on this one - I own a bunch of .22's so the snake made sense to me - it works so sweetly I'll be getting other calibers along the way.
For now I'm using a kit that has rods & brushes that fit in the handle - bought it to toss in the range bag and it works with all my brushes - .38, .40, .22
Mind your muzzle crown if you use a rod
Sharpie maybe? I'm not sure if the solvents would dissolve the marker or not though.
Someone mentioned dedicating an empty CCI mini-mag box for each snake and marking the outside of the box.
I never brush my 22 LR firearms. I will clean actions/parts with solvent and toothbrush, and run a boresnake or patch thru the barrels/chambers now and then. I only clean my match pistol 1-2x year and put lots of rounds through it between cleanings. Of course if there is any functioning issues I clean them completely to ensure that is not the issue.
The bore snake is the way to go, very easy on the crown and bore of any rifle. I just spray mine with some CLP, pull thru and then clean as needed. I have a boresnake for every caliber of rifle and shotgun I own.
