not a joke?

[jimpierce7]

As I was cleaning my guns yesterday, I was watching my bolts boil, I got to thinking "I bet this is a joke and the folks are gonna get a good laugh when I tell them I boiled the bolts". You know? Kind of like "lowering the masts for night steaming" or "polishing the navigator's balls" or good old snipe hunting!!
I mean, the water didn't taste funny or anything!!




ok, enough of that nonsense. Would I be right in guessing you use bore guides to clean your guns? From what I have seen the one that came with my cleaning kit isn't really much of one. Basically just a brass nut on the end of the barrel. I went to a local gun shop and didn't see much there. A few for various AR apps and a universal type with applicator hole or some such for $30.
Where did you find one?

[Fred_G]

I just use aluminum or brass rods.

[Titanium Hammer]

I've got what I think is a fiberglass one. Interestingly, I just bought an Izhmash IZ144 7-2KO Biathlon in 22wmr that came with a wooden cleaning rod from the factory.

[bunkysdad]

My favorite rod is a one piece carbon fiber rod and 44" long. It is made by Tipton and I just remove the bolt and clean from the breach end. I have not boiled my bolt, but get the same results with boiling water. If you soak the bot down it needs to be disassembled, which I think is probably what you were talking about. Boiling all the bolt pieces.

[mogunner]

I clean from the breech end. And I boil my bolts, but only when I first get them to remove cosmoline.

[bunkysdad]

Yeah that's true, after all the goop is rermoved then the cleaning afterwards is quite routine.

[jimpierce7]

quite routine? Just wipe down with oily rag?

[Flyin Brian]

I've never boiled a bolt. I take them apart and clean all the parts with a cleaning brush and solvent, then push patches into the orifices and use a dental pick to clean around the bolt face, etc etc.

For bore cleaning I have 2 tipton rods like Bunky described. One is around 36" and one is like 48" or something stupid like that. I got that one to clean my M91 infantry length rifles but I could have done it fine with 8" shorter... but oh well if I ever decide to collect a gun with a 60" barrel I am all set!!

In regards to polishing the navigator's balls and all that, I do think it is wise to get a few feet of flight line and use that as a bore snake, much more economical than the commercial ones! Good luck!!

[clayshooter2]

I've never boiled a bolt. I take them apart and clean all the parts with a cleaning brush and solvent, then push patches into the orifices and use a dental pick to clean around the bolt face, etc etc.

I'm with Brian on this. I use Hoppes #9 for just about everything, but that is just me.

[Judi and her Mosins]

I tryed a number of ways. It is always a challenge to see what works. Judi andher Mosin's

[Junk Yard Dog]

The first one from Sportsmans guide, the next one from Cabela's, both now seem to be AWOL, don't know yet were I will get #3.

[bunkysdad]

quite routine? Just wipe down with oily rag?

Pretty much, after wiping down with Hoppes or hot water then Hoppes then wipe down with oily tag. It doesn't take all the effort like the first cleaning.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The commies didn't spring for cosmoline, they didn't have any, they had cheap, soft, grease, much easier to remove.

[unhealthyhoarder]

Just finished cleaning my Mosin. Hoppers solvent and oil, Cotton patches, Brass rods. Breach only . I was curious about how often members on the board break down and clean trigger assembly or remove the stock etc. As for the bolt, I break mine down into the 3 easy to get pieces and clean well with patches and solvent, I contemplated removing firing pin and getting to the spring but decided against it. Is spring removal normal for a Mosin cleaning?

[qz2026]

Boiling the bolt to remove the grease sounds like a good idea. I use really hot water and grease cutter. I have never seen a bore guide for a Mosin and I mean a breech bore guide. I have seen them for high end rifles but not the Mosin. I never, ever clean from the muzzle, muzzle bore guide or not. Only rifles I clean from the muzzle is my M1A and black powder rifles - because I have to. But, after you shoot, you would be surprised at the powder build up in the bolt. I tear it completely down and clean it with Hoppes, wipe it down, and then a light coating of CLP.

[ponycarman]

I boiled my first mosins bolt. Haven't done it again though. It left a bit of a residue in the pot . I just used super hot water from the tap now. On new greasy rifles. I dowse it in super hot/ boiling water and wipe it down. It removes pretty much all of the external grease.

[qz2026]

Come to think of it, I would think that just removing the bolt from a pot of boiling water would leave some residue on it. But, that seems the only sure fire way to melt the grease globs that you don't see. Didn't think about the pot. Momma wouldn't be too happy about that. I remember when I used to put the oil/solvent cans in the oven - she didn't much care for that smell.

[bocephus]

I use boiling water to get the initial grease off. I put all the metal parts in a bucket, boil some water and then pour the water into the bucket. This way I can still use the pot for food.

As far as the cleaning rod, I use a long fiberglass brass tipped one and go in from the chamber end. Mines a Hoppes brand rod I picked up at Cabelas.

[Gunowner99]

Boiling my bolt? That sounds very strange!

[zeebill]

Last time I used a bolt guide was on the muzzle loading Black Powder Springfield rifle. The only boiling water in my shop or house is in the tea kettle and is used for just that Tea, oh I forgot occasional hot chocolate. Tipton is the only rod I use and other than the one I ran over with the truck I still have two original ones I bought and they are almost unbreakable and cause no wear to the bore either. I did actually boil a rising block after a forgetful moment of not cleaning it on time.

This is one of those topics that have a million answers and most of them are right! Bill