Can you overdo the Chore Boy Thing?

refuse2bafool

refuse2bafool

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Joined
Nov 28, 2013
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Location
Sacramento, CA
One fo the best tips I received here was using Chore Boy (the real thing, 100% copper). I have started to use it almost every cleaning, especially when using LSWC, in my 1911. Brass brushes wear out so fast, so I have just kept an old one wrapped in it that I run through a few times after getting most of the powder fowling out with a poly brush.

Is that too much? Does not seem to me it would be any worse than the bronze/brash brush itself and the fit is so much tighter.
 
I did the chore boy thing in the past. I got pretty aggressive with it in a SBH which I had ultimately concluded to have an oversized bore. I don’t think I hurt anything. Sold that gun.

Since then, I’ve become far less anal about cleaning lead in my revolvers. Even when shooting properly sized/lubed/hardness-appropriate bullets, leading eventually happens at some level. As long as it’s not affecting (perceived) accuracy, I just don’t really care anymore. I’ll occasionally break out a Lewis Lead Remover, though.

So, at the end of the day, my best advice will be to not worry about is so much.

That SBH though. That thing had to go. *shiver*

If you’re using chore boy, I would expect any damage of scratching is more likely to come from a cleaning rod or the damaged material of a bad cleaning brush underneath the chore boy as opposed to the core boy itself. Make sure it’s 100% copper and not plated steel.
 
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I keep a brush wrapped with Chore Boy just like you. Specifically for LSWC. I will run it the through the barrel if I see any leading. I have a 45acp barrel with 27K + through it and Chore Boy hasn't hurt it one bit. Sure it's better to buy bullets that don't lead the bore but if I buy a thousand bullets that are accurate but lead the bore I will use the Chore Boy rather than going to the hassle of returning the bullets.
 
I've never used Chore Boy but know many that do with no I'll effects.

I've always took the attitude of chemical rather than mechanical removal of lead. Hoppes #9 is the most effective leas remover IMO. I swab the bore with a wet patch of Hoppes and let it sit for a few minutes. Then I use a bore brush followed by wet patches of Hoppes until they come out clean. Clean bore bore usually with Brake Kleen. Repeat until patches after brushing are clean. Takes time but I know I'm not inflicting mechanical damage to the bore.

Someone else noted you may be shooting lead at high pressures or lead too soft.
 
I never have had an issue with leading when I ran straight lead. Something is not right if you have that bad of a leading problem. I moved on to coated bullets and I seldom clean. Wipe them down at the end of the session and repeat the next trip. When I feel the need they will get a full cleaning. A few passes with a patched bronze brush and Ed's and I'm done...
 
If I have to use the Chore-Boy trick to clean a gun I am going to change something in that load. I have had some nasty leading issues in the past but if a particular bullet/load leads my barrel I quit using it and change to something that does not lead. There are too many options out there to shoot bullets/loads that lead barrels.
 
Just be aware:
gundigest.com

ATF Classifies Chore Boy Pot Scrubber Pads NFA Firearms

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Firearms Technology Branch has deemed “Chore Boy copper cleaning pads, along with fiberglass insulation,” a firearm, subject to registration and a $200 transfer tax, an official letter obtained recently by Gun Rights Examiner reveals.
gundigest.com gundigest.com
 
GRIZ22 said:
I've never used Chore Boy but know many that do with no I'll effects.

I've always took the attitude of chemical rather than mechanical removal of lead. Hoppes #9 is the most effective leas remover IMO. I swab the bore with a wet patch of Hoppes and let it sit for a few minutes. Then I use a bore brush followed by wet patches of Hoppes until they come out clean. Clean bore bore usually with Brake Kleen. Repeat until patches after brushing are clean. Takes time but I know I'm not inflicting mechanical damage to the bore.

Someone else noted you may be shooting lead at high pressures or lead too soft.
Click to expand...
There is no chemical in #9 that will remove lead. There is no safe chemicals that will remove lead. It is the mechanical action of a brush that removes it.
Years ago you could use mercury or mix an acid that would remove lead, Those are to harmful to play with now.

Copper is not going to damage the the steel of a barrel
 
drobs said:
Just be aware:
gundigest.com

ATF Classifies Chore Boy Pot Scrubber Pads NFA Firearms

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Firearms Technology Branch has deemed “Chore Boy copper cleaning pads, along with fiberglass insulation,” a firearm, subject to registration and a $200 transfer tax, an official letter obtained recently by Gun Rights Examiner reveals.
gundigest.com gundigest.com
Click to expand...
So my house is insulated with "firearms"?

Please cite the article and mag date.
 
PWC said:
So, my house is insulated with "firearms"?

Please cite the article and mag date.
Click to expand...

And your shoe laces are also considered machine guns according to the ATF.

Feel free to google that or as the kids today say GTS.
 
I don't think it's possible to "overuse" Chore Boy copper. At least I have never seen or heard of it, and I have been using the stuff for quite some time.
 
drobs said:
And feel free to read the link I provided above.

Shoe Lace Machine Gun:
Click to expand...
Sorry, the link did not open the first time I tried. You are correct. Another example of illegal use by elected idiots of our tax dollars for their salary.

Illegal when used as described, but not for millions of housewives in everyday house cleaning.

If shoelaces are illegal, why are they still for sale in " fine stores everywhere"? Has to depend on application.
 
PWC said:
Sorry, the link did not open the first time I tried. You are correct. Another example of illegal use by elected idiots of our tax dollars for their salary.

Illegal when used as described, but not for millions of housewives in everyday house cleaning.

If shoelaces are illegal, why are they still for sale in " fine stores everywhere"? Has to depend on application.
Click to expand...

It's another example of they can "create a crime" even when you haven't done anything illegal.
 
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Reactions: PWC
yea, real question is why do you have leading and that can probably be remedied easy enough.
 
film495 said:
yea, real question is why do you have leading and that can probably be remedied easy enough.
Click to expand...

It appears that people inferred I had some huge issue with leading. I don't think I do. I did first use it when I saw what looked to me like leading (or something) that was not being removed by a bronze brush. I found that wrapping the brush with Chore Boy seemd to do a better job of removing EVERYTHING. And since bronze brushes are $3 a pop and seem to only last a few cleanings, I just found Chore Boy a better option.

As someone noted, the edges will wear off the copper strands, so I change it every couple of cleanings.

And it appears the answer is "knock yourself out" with it.

Thanks to you all.
 
frogfurr said:
I use these brushes for all my guns and you may want to give them a try. It doesn't take many swipes with these to sparkle up a bore.

/[/URL]
Click to expand...
The reviews are good on this and 3 brushes for eight bucks is pretty inexpensive. I may give these a try. Thanks.

Years ago I had one of those Outers Foul Out electrochemical cleaning kits. That thing worked great on my 45 Long Colt. The barrel did not look that bad to me, but the electrode had a bunch of lead on it by the time I was done. They discontinued the product line and then quit selling the liquids. Not sure why. Did a brief search but could find no info except 2005 posts that said it worked!
 
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