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Would it damage a 1911 match pistol to clean the bore with a copper or bronze bore brush? If the answer is no, my next question is how necessary is it to use a bronze/copper brush? Could I just use a nylon one instead?

No damage will occur from properly using a bronze bore brush in a 1911 match pistol barrel. Unlike a rimfire barrel, 1911 barrels are made from high carbon, or chrome moly steel which is a lot stronger than mild steel. The bronze cleaning brushes are designed to loosen any fouling, particularly copper jacket fouling embedded in the rifling grooves. The rifling is typically cut square and this leaves lots of tiny crevices for the fouling to stick. A nylon brush is not as effective in dislodging this type of fouling. The bronze brush is especially effective in deep cleaning the chamber area.

The best method is using a bronze brush with ample bore cleaning solvent on a wet cloth patch. Then follow up with several passes of a clean dry soft cloth patch on a jag.

Properly using a bronze bore brush means taking care not to damage the barrel's crown or rifling with the cleaning rod.

R,
Bullseye

George,
Are you using lead or jacketed bullets?

If lead, the best lead deposit remover I have ever found (including a Lewis Lead Remover) is to use a standard brush with a few strands of copper pan scrubber (MUST BE ALL COPPER) wound around and in between the bristles. It cuts through lead like nothing I've ever used, and being all copper has no chance of damaging the rifling. As the strands get pressed into the brush, just add a few more.

FWIW
Stork

Thanks for the replies!

Stork, right now no bullets are being used in it be cause I can't find any! When I was shooting it often I shop cheap winchester stuff, which is jacketed. Pretty soon when I start reloading only lead will go through it.