Figured out a way to clean my PCP 22's with a .177 cleaning rod.

Jump to latest Follow Reply
bltefft

bltefft

Member
Jan 25, 2017
902
18
West Central Georgia (Columbus, by Ft. Benning), U
I've tried to use a PatchWorn, but I never could find a drinking straw small enough to use to feed the PatchWorm into the .22's barrel - and the green weed eater type cord would not work, something always blocked it up inside the baffles. I tried to insert just a .22 cleaning rod and something always blocked its entry and I sure wasn't going to force it. Then I wondered, could a one-piece carbon fiber .177 cleaning rod make it all the way to the bolt. So I grabbed one and it worked. Then, I had another problem - how to attach a cloth patch to the end of the rod - that little .177 patch holder is SMALL and couldn't get a patch into it.

Then, it hit me. Use that little .177 patch holder to trap a loop of tiny string in the threaded end of the .177 rod and then use the rod like I'd planned to use the PatchWorm and pull a cloth cleaning patch up, out of the barrel. And it worked like a charm.

The following pic is of the string trapped inside the end of the cleaning rod. I just inserted the two ends of the loop of string into the rod and then trapped them inside by screwing in the patch holder. I had to cut most of the patch holder off so that the string would emerge and I could fish it out. To fish it out, I used a dental pick. I've used it several times now and the string has stayed put.

Screen Shot 2021-02-11 at 4.44.38 PM.1613080692.png


The last pic is of the cleaning rod sticking out into the breach so that I could fish out the thread.

Screen Shot 2021-02-11 at 4.44.50 PM.1613080994.png


I can use this method on both my .22 and .25 PCP's (and my non-break barrel springers, too - my Air Arms TX200, Diana 460 Mag and Diana Mod 48). Now, I have to figure out a way to clean my new .177 m-rod - I'm still awaiting its arrival, so I don't really know that this method won't work. On YouTube I saw someone use a shop vac to draw a long loop of thread up and out of their barrel - then they inserted a cloth patch and pulled it up.. I guess I'll give that a shot.


 
I don't know if I can explain this in words-wish I could do a video- but you didn't need to cut off the patch holder. Just tie a little knot into a piece of the string making a small loop. Then push the doubled loop through the patch holder slotted tip and back through itself chinching it down on the tip. Like you'd loop a rubber band around itself.

Too many words to describe a simple thing--aarrgh!!

Then you can still use the 177 rod on a 177 and get a patch through it easier.
 
Upvote 0
The way I see it is that if you are going to push a rod down the barrel you may as well have a patch on it. I clean all of my powder burners with a rod and use one on my airguns when they are in need of a deep cleaning and no ill effects in several decades. Just make sure you use the guide that came with your rod to protect the crown. I use a brass rod and just don't over clean them when dealing with the .177.

Has to be something around that will let you get past a moderator.
 
Upvote 0
What .22 rifle are you cleaning? Seems like you might be making this more complicated than necessary. I've never had a moderator for which I could not find a straw to allow a pull-through, like the patchworm. And that is just for the few for which I could not remove the moderator. When using a rod, you really should remove the barrel, and do it right. 
 
Upvote 0
I assume you cannot remove your moderator or you wouldn't have this problem. You can remove the moderator with heat, assuming it's bonded on. But, if the Wolverine shroud and end cap are not metal (as with the Red Wolf), then you have to be careful with heat. But easier, just remove the two grub screws holding the shroud, just forward of the receiver, the shroud should then slide off with the moderator, leaving the bare barrel, simple then to pull through your patchworm. As for the drinking straw, you don't need to insert it into the barrel, just get it to the muzzle. There are drinking straws small enough to fit. Or, take the straw you are using, cut a slit an inch or so long in the end, which will allow it to collapse and pass through the baffles in the silencer. Your current method of inserting a rod into moderator and down to the muzzle is risking damage to the crown, since you can't see and protect it. Lastly, if the barrel needs it, after removing the shroud as described, remove the two grub screws holding the barrel, slide it off and clean from the breech with your rod and brush. It's probably a good idea to remove the breech O ring if cleaning with a brush. 
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu