MKIII cleaning

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:41 pm

Do any of you use a bore snake to clean your MKIII? I have a J Dewy kit and plan on using that after I take the gun out for some range time. It has a brass brush in it. I assume this is safe for my stainless barrel?

jjfunk · Post by **jjfunk** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:59 pm

I am not a huge fan of using a brass brush in any of my firearms. I use patches and multiple passes instead, after all, why wear your riflings down with metal on metal when you aren't shooting? FWIW

Georgezilla · Post by **Georgezilla** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:58 pm

I share the same opinion as jjfunk about using metal brushes (Boresnakes have a built in bronze brush).

I use a nylon brush to clean my Mk3, it seems to do a very fine job.

Brownells sells them in packs of 3 for $10.

Song Dawg · Post by **Song Dawg** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:23 am

Me three! I opt for multiple cotton flannel patches on all my LR rimfires both short & long.
For tough stuff I soak in Ed's Red for 1/2 - 2 hrs...then flannel patch it to death with a 9" length of weedwacker line "pull thru".
If for some strange reason a problem persists, I'll go the tynex/nylon bristle brush after a soak in ER.
After it's clean it gets a patch or two of CorrosionX or Breakfree.

SD

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:46 am

I'm not a fan of brass brushes for rimfire firearms but your bore snake won't hurt your Ruger pistol. There are some firearms brands that specifically prohibit using brass brushes for cleaning, but Ruger isn't one of them. Most damage caused during cleaning comes from the rod and not the brush. Some rimfire firearms use mild steel in their barrels and brass brush use can wear them excessively. Most folks, including myself, adopt a better safe than sorry policy when it comes to cleaning rimfires. I have nylon bore brushes for use in my rimfire firearms. Like someone said earlier, you can order them or find them at discount stores like KMart/Walmart in the sporting goods sections.

R,
Bullseye

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:22 am

Thanks so much everyone! This is exactly why I asked here first; I knew you would all have the answers.

I beleive my J Dewey kit has a nylon brush in it. Do those typically last awhile?

How often do you guys clean your guns?

Song Dawg, before I read your post, I looked at that pic and thought: "Hmm....looks like weedwhacker string" I guess I spend too much time doing yard work!

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:21 am

Glenn wrote:Thanks so much everyone! This is exactly why I asked here first; I knew you would all have the answers

How often do you guys clean your guns?

My rimfires, when the begin to malfunction. The bores on them rarely if eve, if the bores are cleaned, just a jag and a patch is all.
My carry guns, which I also shoot at the range, every other month depending on the round count and Ruthe bores just with a jag and patch.
Yes my carry gun may be dirty and I really have t apologize to the BG as he will most likely meet his maker after basing shot by a DIRTY gun, tooooooooooo baaad.

Georgezilla · Post by **Georgezilla** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:26 pm

I clean mine every time I fire it but I like the pistol so much I'm OCD about it.
A lot of folks don't clean their pistols until they start to get reliability issues (In the case of my mk3 thats around 2.3k rounds.). Between cleaning after every session or cleaning when reliability becomes an issue, I'd say it's a matter of opinion.

greener · Post by **greener** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:28 pm

I clean mine about every third trip to the range. Patch with Hoppes down the barrel, a bit of break free, and dry patches in the barrel. Most of the cleaning needed is in the chamber, around the bolt face and the bolt. Most of the problems I've had have come from gunk buildup in those areas. It also gives me a chance to look at the innards and see if I have any potential problems.

Len, shooting the BG with a bullet from a dirty gun? You might do some unintentional serious damage like that.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:24 pm

greener wrote:
Len, shooting the BG with a bullet from a dirty gun? You might do some unintentional serious damage like that.

Rob, if the time comes when I DO hace to shoot a BG the serious damage will be totally intentional and most likely fatal. My range wonner and ex Deetroit cop has told me that if I haver to pull teh gunand the BG does not dtrop hios just shoot until he can no longer hold his weapon.

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:37 pm

If used properly a nylon brush should last a lifetime. My .22 cal nylon brush is from the 1970's and its still going strong.

I'm in the "I don't clean until I start having malfunctions camp." This is especially true of pistols. Early on in my military competitive career I was cleaning them thoroughly after each match until one old grizzled armorer asked me why I was scrubbing all the X's out of my pistol. Taking a 1911 apart and cleaning it actually changes the zero for several shots until you get a good foul bore. I did some testing and sure enough, the first 10 shots were not consistent until the bore was sufficiently fouled, and this was hurting my 50 yard slow fire scores significantly. Now when I clean, I ensure I get out and shoot some fouling shots before using the pistol in a match. I may wipe the external parts with a patch and a small helping of Hoppes but I don't disassemble a deep clean until there's problems. You'd be surprised how many shots you can get down range until the problems begin to arise.

R,
Bullseye

Song Dawg · Post by **Song Dawg** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:22 am

I've been cleaning mine after every trip out whether it be 200 rounds or substantially more. I do the same with my rifles as well.

I honestly know it's not necessary but I just can't help myself.
BTW, I purchased several tynex brushes several years ago.....the last much longer than I would have thought....Bullet proof!

SD

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:34 am

I checked my kit and it looks like the nylon brush is more like a tooth brush. I'll pick up a nylon bore brush from the local Wal-Mart next time I'm there.

I appreciate you guys answering all my questions. I'm sure I'll have more as I get out to shoot.

Blindpig · Post by **Blindpig** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:46 pm

greener wrote: Len, shooting the BG with a bullet from a dirty gun? You might do some unintentional serious damage like that.

Len's theory is that if his round doesn't kill the BG, the blood poisoning from his filthy pistol will do the job eventually!

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:58 pm

Blindpig wrote:
greener wrote: Len, shooting the BG with a bullet from a dirty gun? You might do some unintentional serious damage like that.
Len's theory is that if his round doesn't kill the BG, the blood poisoning from his filthy pistol will do the job eventually!

It may help, but 3 in the shirt pocket

should get the job done quickly, May have to see if I can get some rustty bullets or somthing like that. Whatever is required to get the job done.

If the gun still shoots, it ain't broke. so it really don't need to be fixed.