Semi-automatic Pistol Cleaning

Keep in mind that semi-automatic pistols need special chamber attention. Revolvers have six chambers versus one chamber for the automatics. A fouled or rusted chamber and shoulder will cause a failure to chamber, a failure to lock, a failure to fire, failure to unlock, failure to extract' or a failure to eject.

Basic principles dictate that you clean from breech to muzzle. If you go in the opposite direction, you will push or pull the bore residue and dirt into the chamber.

For cleaning 22 rim-fire to 30 caliber use the smallest tip and the outside slot. Pinch the swab at the shortest distance for 22 and at 3:00 for the 30 caliber.

Stack two patches together. Insert the tip in the largest slot, pinch at the shortest distance for 9mm and 35 caliber swab. Pinch at the longest distance for the 45 caliber any other size in-between.

This will give a very tight scrubbing swab. This is required to form the swab into the grooves of the bore to remove lead, copper, and powder residue. A brush only loosens this residue. A tight swab is necessary to mop it out and remove it.

Assemble the cleaning rod. Put a slotted tip on one end, and the obstruction remover on the other end.

Open the action - make positively sure that the weapon is unloaded and magazine is removed or empty.

Insert the rod into the chamber and out through the muzzle.

In limited breech access weapons it may be necessary to inset the tip with swab into the chamber. Run the rod down the barrel and attach the tip.

Put a few drops of solvent on the front end of the swab.

Turn the rod and swab to clean the receiver Turn the rod and pull the patch into the chamber. Continue turning about 4 revolutions. This will clean the shoulder of the chamber. This insures easy insertion and extraction of the shells.

Now pull the residue out of the bore in the direction of the bullet.

A new fresh surface of the swab is used each time. If you have dirt or sand in the barrel, the swab will absorb it. If used a second time, the dirty swab could scratch the chamber and bore. A tight swab is desirable to clean the corners of the rifling. In fact, a brush only loosens lead and residue. A tight patch is necessary to mop it from the bore.

Run a swab with solvent, then the brush. If you run a brush first, you will damage the firearm. The brush will collect any dirt or moisture and deposit it in the chamber. Never run a brush from muzzle to breech. This will always bring dirt into the chamber and shoulder.

Pull a bore brush into the chamber Twist the brush in a clockwise direction to clean the chamber. This turning will loosen the brass filings and residue that accumulate at the shoulder. If the chamber shoulder accumulates lead or other fouling, the round will not fully seat in the chamber and will result in a failure to lock

Pull the brush out of the barrel in the natural direction of the bullet.

Keep in mind that a brush only loosens the powder residue and buildup. A tight swab is necessary to mop out the loosened residue

The swab has additional holes and has 6 new clean surfaces.

Check the bore with the red fiber optic bore lite.