Fox Collectors

Every time I get together with the Fox Fraternity I learn more about the guns and their proper care. So tonight, as I was prepping my guns for storage (and pulling the triggers so that the springs would be in the relaxed position) I wondered if there were any other techniques I should know about. For instance, I cleaned the barrels by using Hoppes #9, followed by a dry rag, and then I ran an oily rag through them several times. Do you guys prefer cleaning rods with aluminum shafts of steel shafts? I heard arguments for both (admittedly, for rifles). Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Sounds about right. A wood or aluminum cleaning rod I'm thinking would be the best choice. At least from my point of view.

Jolly

Wooden!!!!!!! Can you still buy wooden cleaning rods? Actually Bill, that's probably a good idea. Logic tells me that steel is hard and could damage a barrel. However, I once read that aluminum was bad. Because it's so soft, small aluminum shavings can be created during the cleaning process and those aluminum shavings could make there way into the various mechanisms and cause problems. It seems like a stretch, but I did read that once.

Yes, you can still get wood cleaning rods.

Regarding hoppes, keep it off the outside of your barrels.

Jeff S wrote: Because it's so soft, small aluminum shavings can be created during the cleaning process and those aluminum shavings could make there way into the various mechanisms and cause problems. It seems like a stretch, but I did read that once.

Jeff,
That could be the case for those guns that clatter and clunk when they're shot - as in a semi auto or pump. They can be sensitive to stuff like that and burnt powder, grass, twigs and other debris. Luckily, we don't shoot them things. Do we Jeff?

"Regarding hoppes, keep it off the outside of your barrels." Brian, thanks for the tip. Does the Hoppes stain the bluing?

Jeff

Rifle bores are much more sensitive to abrasion from whatever the cleaning rod may be constructed of, and from improper use of them. Bore guides are imperative to maintain the integrity of the rifling, particularly at the muzzle, and most serious riflemen clean their bores from the breech. Shotguns don't have rifling, of course, so, are not as sensitive. Any material will suffice for a shotgun cleaning rod, as long as it is kept relatively free of dirt and grit. Oil and grit equals grinding compound .... not good for any type gun. Whatever material you choose will serve you well, if used with care. You're asking, so you do.

Infinitely more guns have been ruined by a lack of cleaning than from improper cleaning, IMO.

SRH

Stan Hillis wrote: Infinitely more guns have been ruined by a lack of cleaning than from improper cleaning, IMO.
SRH

Absolutely Stan.

I made my cleaning rod from a 36" - 3/8" (I think) dowel rod. Drilled a hole in one end & epoxied a brass jag for the brush. My cleaning patch of choice is toilet paper stuffed in the barrels then pushed thru with a second dowel rod. May be "redneck" but it works for me.

My wood rods have all come from flea markets and junk stores; plenty of them to be found. They may not be suitable for display in those fancy truck cases, but they do a good job.

Jeff S wrote:"Regarding hoppes, keep it off the outside of your barrels." Brian, thanks for the tip. Does the Hoppes stain the bluing?

Jeff

Some bore cleaners disolve lead. Which is not good for your solder joints. Bore cleaners belong inside the bores, not on the outside of the barrels.
,brian

Wow! That sounds like a very important bit of information. Brian, thanks for sharing.