Disappointed in bore snakes

[gregj]

Maybe I'm not using it right, but so far I'm a little disappointed in bore snakes. I just finished cleaning my Sig P239. After taking it down, I sprayed a little CLR in the barrel and let it set while I cleaned and reassembled the mag. I then pulled the snake through the barrel 4 maybe 5 times. Just for grins I ran a patch through with a jag, and it was pretty nasty. I ran about 4 or 5 patches through till they came out clean. I've had similar results with a snake on my son's Savage .22. And before anyone asks, they are the right size. Soooo, what's the magic trick to using these things, cause I obviously dont know what it is.

[wbtrunx]

CLR or CLP?



Oil=the devil
Most, especially CLP, like to draw carbon out of the metal.
This means you can make it spotless, throw a light coat of oil on it,
and in a couple minutes you'll be black as night again.
I know you pulled the snake after, but *shrug* not sure, maybe pulled
too much for it to handle? Doubt that's it.

[gregj]

CLP, it's just been that kind of day.

I've read that about CLP, but a little carbon is one thing, but a dirty bore is something different, and from looking at the swatches it's pretty easy to tell there was still stuff left behind from the snake.

[wbtrunx]

How used is the snake?
Did it take a little effort to pull through or did it just kinda fall?

[gregj]

Snake is brand new, first time used it. Specifically for handgun, 380, 9mm. Took a little effort to pull it through.

[wbtrunx]

Very strange.
I take it you went over every inch of it to make sure it looked alright.
I don't know if it's worth contacting the manufacturer.

[Vahunter]

I found out when I bought a couple of bore snakes they are not make to take the place of a good cleaning. Quick yes, good, no.

[punchie]

they are not make to take the place of a good cleaning.

+1 on that. Great for 'field' use but not for detailed cleaning.

[wbtrunx]

Eh, after visits to the range and some 120+ rounds through the M4 each visit, I've used a snake for a good cleaning.
Good enough for a patch to only get a hint of gray rather than a spot of black. Maybe it was just a good snake.

[gregj]

That makes me feel better. I'd rather use patches to make sure the bore is truely clean, rather than just doing it quick. I dont see me using them at the range, so they may get moved to the bottom of my gun cleaning box. Thanks.