Mark III Cleaning

[Zeego]

This subject has probably been discussed to death but what does everyone suggest for cleaning the Mark III? Going to the range tomorrow and shooting some CCI LR ammo. I'm just curious what everyone uses. CLP? Hoppes 9? I bought a Hoppes snake bore today. Man those things are sweet. Anyhow...thanks for the advice.

 

[wwb]

Run an oily patch through the bore, and wipe it down with an oily rag.

Once a year (or so) or every couple thousand rounds (or so) pull the upper, remove the grip panels, and give it a good cleaning and lubing.

 

[TexasRed]

I just bought my first bore snake for my MKIII and use the Hoppes gel. I have to say I am now a bore snake convert! I wish I had tried one of these years ago. The only advise I can give is to use care with the MKIII loaded chamber indicator. I pull through with the ejector port facing down so the snake doesnt snag the indicator.

 

[mattsbox99]

I would only be cleaning the bore if you're shooting some junk ammo. I also don't tear mine down but maybe once every couple years unless its malfunctioning.

 

[Zeego]

Well, I was planning to clean to the gun every time after the range. Not a DEEP cleaning, just a run through the bore a couple of times with the bore snake and nice wipe with the silicon cloth. Based on the responses, is this overdoing it?

 

[rugerguy]

No Sir, that is about all that is really needed, unless you use some really soft ammo, and get any "leading",may have to use a brass or nylon brush to help out a bit..........not at all "overdoing it"......

 

[Bullseye57]

I use a nylon brush, from the breech end and only when necessary. The mild steel of .22 barrels is easily damaged by overzealous cleaning.

R,
Bullseye

 

[Rick Courtright]

Well, I was planning to clean to the gun every time after the range. Not a DEEP cleaning, just a run through the bore a couple of times with the bore snake and nice wipe with the silicon cloth. Based on the responses, is this overdoing it?

Hi, and a belated welcome to the Forum!

Any time you ask about cleaning .22s you're going to get everything from "I clean it scrupulously after every range session" to "Cleaning? What's cleaning? It's a .22!"

W/ my Mk II, which is arguably a little easier to field strip than the Mk III, I "field strip" after every range session, run a patch w/ some solvent on it thru the barrel, let it sit a while, then run a dry patch or two thru. If the gun will be put away for a while, another patch w/ a spot of oil goes thru. Once or twice a year, I'll get out a bronze brush and run it thru a few times (dipped in solvent first.)

I've been trying to wear out .22 barrels that way for 50 years, and haven't managed to do it yet!

As for the rest of the parts, they get cleaned off w/ some solvent, dried, lubed as required and reassembled. The outer surfaces get a wipe down w/ a rag and a couple of drops of oil.

To each his own: this drill works for me!

Rick C

 

[Zeego]

Thanks for the great advice everyone. My plan is to lightly clean the bore after every range session with a NYLON brush and then a couple of run throughs with some dry patches. Give it a wipe with a silicon rag and then store it away. And then when it needs it, run the bore snake. One thing I didn't notice about the bore snake is that it has BRASS brushes. I'm thinking this may not be the tool to use after every session. Like everyone suggested...maybe use the snake once or twice a year.

 

[wwb]

Thanks for the great advice everyone. My plan is to lightly clean the bore after every range session with a NYLON brush and then a couple of run throughs with some dry patches. Give it a wipe with a silicon rag and then store it away. And then when it needs it, run the bore snake. One thing I didn't notice about the bore snake is that it has BRASS brushes. I'm thinking this may not be the tool to use after every session. Like everyone suggested...maybe use the snake once or twice a year.

Rather than storing it with a dry bore, run an oily patch through the bore before storing it away.... a light film of oil will prevent any oxidation of the bore.

There is no way you will damage the bore with a brass brush..... steel is many times harder than brass. Go ahead and use that snake as often as you want.

 

[kacher1]

Yes, use the snake but if you don't want to be pulling a bunch of crap (left on the snake) through the bore, you need to be washing that thing regularly. I chucked all my snakes and use the PatchWorm for all my guns, especially 22's. You can make your own from weed wacker line but it will only be good for the 22.

 

[mishtub]

The "Otis" kit for .22 works well also.