Semi-Auto Rifle Cleaning

[American Muslim Gun Owner]

Hello,

What do you guys use to clean semi-auto rimfire rifles without having to disassemble them first?

I recently tried the Otis Patriot Series Kit for .22 rifles, but that was not very easy to use. Due to the length of the brass ends on the cleaning cable, I had to drop it in from the muzzle end and then use a pen to force the cable at an angle inside the receiver so it would run out below. I ran the cable back and forth instead of in one direction. From what I could see, it certainly cleaned everything, but I am concerned about any potential damage. Also, the included patches were a bit thick so I cut them down in half and then ran them through.

Any of you brave souls just run a cleaning rod down the front of the muzzle?

Thanks,

Edited to Add: the Otis kit is being run through a Marlin 795 and a Ruger 10/22.

[racinjason233]

Brake clean and compressed air like everything else.

[Garv]

Maybe half of the time I use a boresnake on my M&P 15–22 even though it is very easy to break down.

[wpage]

Hoppes # 9 then some oil patch as follow up after coming clean.

[The War Wagon]

Hoppes # 9 then some oil patch as follow up after coming clean.

^^^THIS, and fugedaboudit!

[ARFrog]

I use the Otis cables for several new and older .22s and have no problem with the patch blade. The brass brush can be a little tight but still works without too much difficulty.

What are you trying to run it through?

[Wordupmybrotha]

Boresnake

[TAS]

Either a bore snake, or a cleaning rod from the muzzle with the patch/brush screwed in at the breech and then pulled through. Works for SA revolvers too.

[bergmen]

I haven't used a cleaning rod since I first used a bore snake. I have one for every caliber (rifle and handgun). Very easy to use Hoppes #9 in front of the bristles and oil after. Drag it through a couple of times after a long day of shooting and you are good to go. One advantage is the chamber gets cleaned at the same time (drag it from breech to muzzle).

Dan

[American Muslim Gun Owner]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. I was concerned about using the boresnake in case it may not clean the barrel thoroughly. But I suppose if a rifle needs a thorough cleaning, then might as well take it apart.

As a follow up, for those of you who clean the barrel before switching ammo, do you feel the boresnake does a sufficient job of cleaning?

Brake clean and compressed air like everything else.

No risk to the stock with the brake cleaner?

I use the Otis cables for several new and older .22s and have no problem with the patch blade. The brass brush can be a little tight but still works without too much difficulty.

What are you trying to run it through?

Sorry, I should have included this in the OP. I am running it through a Marlin 795 and a Ruger 10/22.

[Chocula]

Boresnake or generic equivalent after each shooting session. I try to do it immediately after while everything is still warm. Sometimes I put some BreakFree CPL on the snake, sometimes not. One or two passes and call it good.

Annually, or if I start getting malfunctions, disassemble and clean with standard cleaning kit and solvents. I start with the plastic brush and move to the brass only if things don't come clean enough with the plastic. LIGHTY oil only where needed.

I can't speak to the Marlin, but the Ruger 10/22 can be picky about what ammo it likes. Test a bunch and see what feeds reliably and shoots accurately. Don't forget to take notes on group sizes and misfeeds for when your preferred ammo is impractical to get.

[AR22]

Yes boresnake. I rarely ever even use solvents. Just pull the snake through once. Lube with dry lube and good for next time.

[jimmykan]

The bore is not the part of a semi-auto 22 that needs cleaning the most. It's the action.

[AR22]

Action does not need much cleaning, not im my case anyway. I clean that a lot less than the Barrel for sure. But I only use drylube in my .22 actions. Use liquid oil and yes they will gunk and sludge up and malfunction in no time. I sometimes put a tiny drop of liquid on the recoil assembly rod and spring and a tiny one on the extractor and firing pin though. But sop it with liquid oil and you pay the price,LOL

And I only use good ammo. Mostly CCI 95% of the time.

[Chocula]

The bore is not the part of a semi-auto 22 that needs cleaning the most. It's the action.

That would be dependent on the specific gun. In a GSG 1911 22lr, that is absolutely true. On the other hand, I have a Sears T3 (aka Winchester 190) that went well over 20,000 rounds over 40 years with nothing more than the occasional bore scrub and casual wipe with the same patch that went through the bore. It reliably cycles everything except the Winchester bulk ammo, including 22 shorts.