Did I wreck it?

Mikey66

Mikey66

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After shooting my new BLR at the range I decided to give it a quick clean. I was tired and not as carefull as I should have been. The first patch caused the 3pc aluminum rod (....yeah I know....no bore guide either....) go off center and scrape the barel hard enough to gouge the rod. No visible damage on the barel.
Did I ruin it?
 
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Gatehouse said:
Steel is harder than aluminum. Doubtful any problem.
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But is barrel steel harder than the aluminum oxide that has formed on the outside of the aluminum rod? I doubt it. If there is no visible damage you probably lucked out. When patience or fatigue become an issue, put off gun maintenance, with the exception of wiping the piece down with an oily rag, for a time that you can give it your undivided attention.
 
Amazon sells cheap (less than $30) endoscope/bore scope cameras - I just ordered one with a camera head diameter of only 5mm - could be very useful for quick barrel inspection for damage (unlikely), to verify cleaning or to check for corrosion in the future.
 
I'd clean it again, ensuring I got any alum. shavings out before shooting. It may be harder or impossible once it "melts" or sticks to the bore.
 
Good advice all the way around. Here's something else to consider; use a cleaning jag that's one size smaller than the caliber of the gun your cleaning, and use proper sized patches. Especially the first trip down the barrel after your range session. You can upsize the jag after that if needed.
 
Can you not remove the lever and then the bolt to clean from the chamber end. I do this with the Marlin 336 that was my dad's to avoid just the concerns you state. All I have to do is #### the hammer, remove the lever bolt, drop the lever out and remove the bolt.
 
Wow! thanks guys, stirling advice.
The fact is that I should have known better. I have a bore snake on order, and a one piece rod at home.

The comment about leaving it for later if fatigue is an issue and give it proper time and attention really hit home. I was rushing and I don't think there is any benefit to cleaning guns immediately vs few days later unles shooting corrosive. I won't clean my guns at the range any more.

Proper sized patches, you got me.......it was a cut up piece of tshirt.

And one thing I did not even consider, was cleaning it again to remove any possible bits of aluminum left behind by the rod. Will do!

This is a great community, thanks all
 
tinbird said:
Can you not remove the lever and then the bolt to clean from the chamber end. I do this with the Marlin 336 that was my dad's to avoid just the concerns you state. All I have to do is #### the hammer, remove the lever bolt, drop the lever out and remove the bolt.
Click to expand...

No not without difficulty the 336 is a superior action for this kind of thing
 
Google 'brass muzzle guard' such as those made by pro-shop.
I've been using them for muzzle-loaders and lever actions for years.
They are inexpensive, never wear out, come made for a couple of different diameter cleaning rods, and work.
 
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