[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Fred i thought i had read rimfires require very little barrel/chamber cleaning. Is that not the case?

Fire a .22LR and you'll see a lot of smoke. Clean a centerfire and rimfire after the same number of rounds and you will see a lot more dirt coming out of the rimfire barrel. IMO rimfire requires more cleaning (but done properly).

Originally Posted by id10t

I'd bet more barrels have been ruined by bad scrubbing with a bad rod and screwing up the crown, etc. than have been ruined by not cleaning enough.

Metal rods can scratch the bore or damage the rifling. Two piece rods are more likely to rub against the bore at the wider part. This is an issue for long guns but for pistols it shouldn't be a problem due to the shorter barrel. Proper cleaning requires wetting the barrel first and then a wet brush and preferably one that rotates freely so it will follow the rifling. I've heard that nylon coated rods are bad because the nylon holds specks of dirt and becomes abrasive. Carbon fiber rod$ are the best but you will pay for them. If you are really OCD, you will only run patches in one direction so that you don't drag a dirty patch back through the barrel.

Some Porsche owners have specialized detailing tools for each part of the car and high dollar car wash and cleaners. Others have a bucket, some cheapo car wash, and sponge.