Part 5. Understanding Firearm Cleaning and Preservation.
Understanding Firearm Cleaning and Preservation.
The way to introduce the Flannal, wrapped around the Jag to the Rifle Chamber.
Part Five
Cleaning Patches.
24. For many reasons do not use just any old rags to cut up into cleaning patches, other materials do not have the strength or compression especially after they have been washed several times. Sometimes other materials knot up and jam in the barrel, destroying a cleaning rod to save the price of a patch is criminal, destroying the barrel to get the cleaning rod out is an abomination. Extraction of anything stuck in a barrel is always stressful. Old pyjamas and underwear contain salt from sweat. Cleaning patches should be always made from Cantonese (China) Flannel, or what we used to call Four be Two in the Army, as its 4 inches wide with a red line every 2 inches. The flannel should be cut in squares or punched out with a round hole punch.
25. The size of course should be dictated by the calibre and the thickness of the material, in relation to the size of the brass jag. The size is very important and should be, that when placed on the jag and rod take a pressure of about five pounds on the rod handle to push it smoothly though a clean bore. If the patch is too tight it may tear a piece off the Jag or it may jam in the barrel. If its too small it will not clean the bore satisfactory. Either pre-cut your own after you find the right size for your equipment and calibre or buy pre-cut from a gun dealer.
26. When buying pre-cut from a dealer remember they are pre-cut to the ideal dimension for that ‘Brand Names’ equipment, for that specific calibre, your cleaning equipment may need a different size. Please note if solvent or any liquid is being applied to the barrel via a patch, when the bore is half dry it becomes sticky, also if the patch is soaked with liquid it makes the patch un-compressible, ( a hydraulic effect) both of these phenomena make the patch tighter so the patch has to be reduced to accommodate this or it will jam. This is another reason that I only recommend the patch be used for removing oil solvents or cleaners and for smearing a loose coating of oil in the bore for storage and using the brush for applying solvents (liquids) to the bore. Not for distributing the solvent.
Cleaning Cloths
27. Two flannel dusters each about a foot square, one dry for wiping the exterior of the firearm and the other saturated with a good quality non-petroleum based gun oil are very handy. After the final wiping, place the firearm in the rack or safe, handling by the wood or plastic stock only and do not permit the hands to touch the steel surfaces. Sweaty hands are great promoters of rust. Some peoples hands are much worse than others. If no Flannel dusters are available use foot length of flannelette.
High Quality Flannelette.
Click on Part 6. Understanding Firearm Cleaning and Preservation.
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