Boreguide = Overkill?

[Recession]

Is a bore guide really necessary for an AR15?

[only10x]

no.

[high_revs]

I'd lean on the "yeah, I don't want to damage my AR no matter how steady my hand can be."

Necessary, no. but YMMV. It's cheap insurance.

P.S. I'm not sure how the Otis kit can avoid damaging the chamber though.

Do a search here so you can have an informed decision. You'll probably see most will opt for the bore guide.

[Recession]

How would a brass rod with a brass bore brush damage the inside of a steel barrel?

[CK_32]

No.. Only for bolt actions..

You can use one but dont..

[Mstnpete]

How would a brass rod with a brass bore brush damage the inside of a steel barrel?

It's really for protecting the barrel crown.
If you have an expensive upper with an expensive barrel that shoots 300-400 yards with out any problems, than the answer is yes.

[high_revs]

How would a brass rod with a brass bore brush damage the inside of a steel barrel?

That's why I said YMMV. Yes, it's been noted bolt action only. Do a search on "cleaning" key word and you'll see it come up.

Same question on brass (or is it bronze) brushes vs. steel bore. Some worry and use plastic brushes instead. (I found them less effective and have both plastic and brass or is it bronze brushes).

Again, YMMV. If you're comfortable w/o it, who are we (am I) to convince you? You seem convinced already from your reply.

P.S. I wasn't commenting on the bore, as the poster above me specified more clearly.

[CK_32]

It's really for protecting the barrel crown.
If you have an expensive upper with an expensive barrel that shoots 300-400 yards with out any problems, than the answer is yes.

Perfectly said.

its your battle rifle.. Unless your playing darts or blindfolded put the rod in the hole it will be just fine. Bore guides are mainly for keeping the cleaners
out of your action.. Also to protect your crown but mainly to keep those solovents from getting into the action and internal mag and gum everything up.

[m98]

Ar bore guides that is inserted from the breech helps prevent premature uneven wear on the throat of the bore where the riflings begins. Not using this type of bore guide can increasingly deteriorate the accuracy capability over time. If you dont care for max accuracy out of your rifle then use whatever. Me, i'd preferr my rifles to shoot at its best given the weapon and caliber type. If i didnt care for any kind of accuracy i'd just get an ak or sks type rifle because whats the point, those rifles can't shoot the broadside of a barn anyways.

[UserM4]

Stainless barrels? Probably a good idea. Chrome lined barrels? Probably overkill.

[only10x]

correct me if I am wrong but a bore guide only protects the chamber/throat on a rifle not the crown. Incorrectly pushing/forcing a cleaning rod (at an angle) can have similar effects as a reamer and thus affect the accuracy of a barrel.

Speak with any gunsmith who has worked with precision .22 barrels and most will tell you the quickest way to ruin a rifle is by improper cleaning from the breach.
ultimately if you are CAREFUL and PATIENT you wont need a boreguide
otherwise get a pull thru like an otis kit, hoppies bore snake or even plastic weed wacker line with a knot at the end to hold a cleaning patch (was recommended to me for match .22 rifles)

[swifty]

Bore guides come in different shapes and sizes. Yes, some are made to protect the crown.

[arfan66]

Ar bore guides that is inserted from the breech helps prevent premature uneven wear on the throat of the bore where the riflings begins. Not using this type of bore guide can increasingly deteriorate the accuracy capability over time. If you dont care for max accuracy out of your rifle then use whatever. Me, i'd preferr my rifles to shoot at its best given the weapon and caliber type. If i didnt care for any kind of accuracy i'd just get an ak or sks type rifle because whats the point, those rifles can't shoot the broadside of a barn anyways.

This^^

I've got an expensive, stainless WOA barrel on one of my AR's. I use a JP bore guide to help protect the throat. Since I am a stickler for consistency, I use it on my chrome lined barrels too...

[Mstnpete]

I use JP Bore guide that comes with 2 rubber o-rings that sits and protects the crown, throat and barrel. This is the best set up I use for all of my AR'S ! I use the same method for Bolt Rifles.

Combined with Dewey Teflon Quoted rod:

[CK_32]

Hahaha Im starting to notice a patter agreeing with what were saying..
If your looking for 1" groups at 100 to 200 yards.. Or
have a $3,000 rifle get a bore guide.

If your looking for CQB and a battle rifle M4 and not going to be shooting
out to 600 yards.. Just clean your dam rifle.. Use a bore snake and be
done with it if your scare the cleaning rods will damage your rifle.

But than again its your rifle.. do what you want with it..