What are Gun Cleaning Mops and What are They Used for?
What are gun cleaning mops?
A gun cleaning mop is used together with a gun cleaning solution like a solvent to clean a firearm bore. A gun cleaning mop is a bunch of tiny pieces of cotton fitted together and attached to a threaded slim stick or rod. It is a gun cleaning tool like a bore snake and a cleaning rod. A gun cleaning mop should be the same diameter as your firearm’s bore. However, getting the perfect fit for your firearm is not difficult as it comes in many different sizes.
What are the qualities to look for in an effective gun cleaning mop?
For an effective and efficient cleaning exercise, the mop’s thread should be 100% cotton, and the mass of cotton should be densely packed together. This ensures the moisture is adequately absorbed along with the fouling and abrasive debris. While the roll or pack of threads should be the same diameter as the firearm’s bore, the rod should not. This allows for easy insertion and removal. The rod should be made of soft brass or material that will not easily abrade the bore’s surface. The mop, the bunch of cotton or thread, should be detachable; this makes it possible to reuse each mop.
What are gun cleaning mops used for?
A gun cleaning mop is often referred to as a bore mop or bore cleaning mop. Your firearm needs routine maintenance beyond lubrication, especially the bore. If it is not adequately cleaned, it might affect its effectiveness in functioning; this may pose a danger to you and those around you while in use.
A firearm cleaning mop is designed to polish and dry the bore. It is an effective tool for cleaning the bore down to the chamber. It is also an effective method of applying firearm oil to the bore.
Why is a gun cleaning mop so helpful?
Unlike most cleaning tools that scrub or brush off fouling from your firearm bore, a gun cleaning mop can absorb the dissolved fouling or build-ups. Likewise, it holds a desirable amount of gun cleaning solution and delivers it to any desired part of the bore or chamber. This also minimizes the waste of firearm cleaning solutions. Therefore, it is cost-saving in terms of spending more money on gun cleaning solutions. It also provides an efficient and effective way of drying your firearm bore.
How to use a gun cleaning mop?
Select a gun cleaning solution
In this context, a gun cleaning solution is any liquid that is applied to your firearm bore or exteriors. You can begin your cleaning exercise with a gun cleaning mop by spraying cleaning liquid inside the bore; it is advisable to use a solvent because of its non-oxidizing nature.
Insert the firearm cleaning mop
Once you have sprayed the bore with a gun cleaning solution, you will need to run the mop gently inside. Ensure the mop touches the chamber; this shouldn’t be hard as the chamber is immediately behind and in line with the bore. The length of the mop rod will, of course, depend on the length of the bore. The mop’s threads or wools are designed to fit tightly inside the bore; that’s why it must be of the same diameter as the bore. Thus, once the mop is inside the bore, give it a twist to ensure it sits perfectly in the chamber.
What to expect while cleaning with a gun cleaning mop
Because a gun cleaning mop is designed to be tightly fitted inside the bore, expect some squeaking sound and resistance as you insert the mop. The same should also be expected while removing the mop from the bore. If the mop is heavily stained, it is advisable to dispose of it. Ensure that you push the mop inside the chamber. When you remove the mop, and it’s not visibly stained, then you are through with the first phase of cleaning.
The second and the last phase of cleaning with a gun cleaning mop
Once you are done cleaning with solvent, it is necessary to lubricate the bore with firearm oil. Thus, you will spray the bore with oil just as you did with solvent. Run the mop through the bore again, like in the first cleaning phase; this will ensure that the bore lining is coated with clean oil, making it safe for storage and further use.
Like any cleaning mop, a gun cleaning mop is designed to absorb moisture and dirt from a surface. However, when selecting a firearm cleaning mop, choose one with the same diameter as the bore of your firearm.
Aside from gun cleaning mops, solvent traps are a great addition to your firearm cleaning arsenal. A solvent trap is a firearm cleaning accessory that you can attach to your firearm’s barrel; its primary purpose is to catch or trap the cleaning solvent for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal. The firearm cleaning process can be a breeze with a solvent trap as it prevents any mess from solvent spillage—a valuable gun cleaning solution.
Armory Den offers gun cleaning solutions at an affordable price. Our solvent trap kits are made of high-grade materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. Guaranteed to last for many cleaning sessions.
References
- https://www.boretech.com/products/bore-mop
- https://www.guncleankit.com/What-Is-The-Gun-Cleaning-Mop-Used-For-id43199787.html
- https://mopreviewed.com/what-is-a-bore-mop-used-for/
- https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bore-mops-what-are-they-for.249096/
