Anyone use muzzle guards/protectors/guides when cleaning their guns?

[Aim1]

I don't want to detract from the bore guide thread so I'll start this one. Cleaning from the muzzle was never a problem for me because I really dont own any guns that need to be cleaned from the muzzle. Even my TC Pro Hunter XT .50 cal muzzleloader can be cleaned from the breech like a standard rifle with patches and a bore brush when used with Blackhorn 209 powder.

Well, I just bought a S&W 629 Mountain Gun in .44 mag and it has to be cleaned from the muzzle unless using a bore snake. All of a sudden a muzzle guard doesn't seem like a bad idea.


So, who uses muzzle guards/protectors on their firearms that need to be cleaned from the muzzle?


*** Also, I noticed that you can get muzzle guards from about .20 cal to .30 cal but I haven't seen any .44 mag muzzle guards. Don't people make them?

 

[boom boom]

Me, I use them on some handguns and some rifles that are very difficult to clean from the breech.

 

[Fyrstyk]

Because I shoot muzzle loader almost exclusively now, I use a muzzle protector to protect the crown of the rifle. You should be able to find a .45 caliber muzzle protector that can be used on your .44. Most of the Black Powder supply catalogs have them. Check out 'Track of the Wolf".

 

[theotherwaldo]

I have military-issued muzzle guides for most of my milsurps plus muzzle protectors sized to fit most of my cleaning rods... .

 

[Walkalong]

I have one like in the picture, as well as a couple of home made ones. I use them for cleaning revolver barrels, for autos I take the barrel out. Not that I clean handgun barrels very often anymore.

I also use them for cleaning the barrel on my 39A (Haven't cleaned it in years) and my 336. You can break the 39A down and clean from the breech, but it's very easy to damage the ejector that way.

 

[Steve S.]

I do not use a bore or muzzle guide - I do not clean aggressively (I am careful) nor at a high volume. The guides are a good idea for absolute bore protection - I see no downside but I feel that my cleaning frequency and technique will not effect the bore/ crown quality. A BCT trainee scrubbing a training weapon barrel vs. my process are worlds apart - the guides are not a bad or unnecessary idea, I just do not see the need in my world.