Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.