​Here’s Why the Value of a Patch Jag Cannot Be Underestimated in Gun Maintenance

A jag is the sharp pointed attachment at the end of your cleaning rod.

The value of a quality patch jag is often underestimated. Its major purpose is to hold the cleaning patch in place as you drive it through the barrel of your firearm. It comes in various sizes. Use the right size for your barrel and your patch.

It is important that you pick them one by one and mark the sizes while they are still new. It will be difficult to tell a .44 from a .45 once they get mixed up. Some versions however come with the sizes stamped on them.

Here are some of the common uses of a jag:

Protects the Barrel

The pointed edge of the jag goes through the middle of a cleaning patch, and pushes it through the barrel. A completely wrapped patch around the jag provides protection to your bore as metal to metal contact is minimized.

Better Cleaning

A well fitted jag makes cleaning more effective. This is because it fits snugly through the barrel and scraps grime and grit steadily throughout its length.

It pushes the patch through the corners and other hard to reach parts where dirt easily accumulates. It can easily reach the bottom of the grooves especially the breech. Some models allow scouring both ways.

The non-slotted jag pushes the cleaning patch through the bore while the slotted one pulls the patch through the bore. Most shooters prefer to use the non-slotted one as the pulling of the patch through the barrel may redistribute the fouling.

Unblock the Barrel

Dealing with stuck patches does not have to be so much trouble anymore. A jag is a safe way to fetch cleaning patches trapped inside the barrel. You will get them out without leaving any scratches on your treasured weaponry.

Inspect the Bore

Since it is hard for you to see through the barrel of your firearm, a jag can help you discover manufacturers defects on a new gun. Tight or looser spots can be detected by passing it through the length of the barrel.

These imperfections can be smoothed out before you take your firearm to the range.

Lubricate the Gun

Besides removing dirt from the nooks and crannies, a moderately oiled patch on the jag, will ensure that these hard to reach areas are properly lubricated without overdoing it.

A tight fitting patch on the jag will scrub fouling and grease off the entire length of the bore. Avoid the ones made with plastic, though cheaper, they are low quality and do not last long.

Superior quality alloy jags, though more expensive, and may not come with the cleaning kit, will give you longer service and are cheaper in the long run.

There you have it, take your gun cleaning to the next level by using high-quality jags. If you are looking for complete gun cleaning kits, then we have reviewed some of the best right here: https://www.protectingyourpiece.com/best-gun-cleaning-kit/

​​Importance of Regular Cleaning and Maintenance of Your Firearm

Guns, like any other machine, undergo wear and tear after prolonged use.

One of the main reasons why you should regularly clean your gun is to monitor the state of the small hidden parts of your weapon. Early detection of cracks and metal burrs can make a difference in a live or die situation.

It is estimated that dirty guns cause 80-90% of malfunction and stoppages.

Dirt, rust, wear and tear are the number one enemies to proper gun functioning. Regular cleaning will ensure that these are detected early, and whatever parts need replacement are attended to in good time.

The following are reasons why regular cleaning and proper maintenance of your firearm is critical.

1. Ensures Durability: proper cleaning and storage assures you of longevity of your firearm. Guns have the potential to last through generations.

Give your weapon some tender loving care and you may just pass it down to your great grandchildren.

Frequent cleaning and lubrication deals with rust and protects your firearm from the disastrous effects that rust has on your weapon’s metal parts.

2. Reliability and Accuracy: Fouling build up through the years can greatly affect a gun’s reliability. A weapon that is not well maintained cannot be relied upon to fire when it should.

This may mean death on your part in the event of an attack in your home.

Copper build up inside the barrel of a precision rifle can greatly affect its accuracy. Rust is corrosive and eats away the metal of your gun. This creates pits in the barrel of your rifle. Regular clean-up of your firearm will give you accurate results every time.

3. Helps You Understand How Your Firearm Works: It is important to appreciate what is enclosed in your firearm. Consistent thorough cleaning entails dismantling and reassembling the parts of your gun. You get to learn how the various parts interact.

This knowledge is important as you may need to fix your gun during a shooting range. It may not always be possible to contact a gunsmith whenever your gun requires fixing. It also saves you money as you will learn how to do minor fixes on your own.

4. Learn to Lubricate: A well-lubricated gun performs with more precision and lasts longer as well. Lubrication however is an art that you need to master. Over lubrication causes light primer strikes and Failure to Fire.

As you interact with your gun during the maintenance, you will identify the parts where grime builds up due to over lubrication.

Over time, you will learn how to give your weapon enough lubricant without creating a slip and slide situation.

Pay a little bit of attention to your weaponry. This will go a long way in preventing a whole range of issues and prolong its lifeline. Simple maintenance procedures can save your life and that of your loved ones.

Click here if you are interested in knowing more about gun cleaning kits.

Take care of your firearm, it will take care of you.

​Using a Gun Cleaning Kit: Giving Your Firearm the Care It Deserves

As a responsible gun owner, you want to ensure that your firearm is properly maintained so that it gives you quality services for longer and doesn’t malfunction when in need.

You understand that one way of caring for your weapon is through a regular and thorough cleaning.

It’s advisable to purchase a gun cleaning kit and follow this simple guide to help you navigate through this process

1. Gather the Solvents and the Cleaning Kit: A good kit should contain the following items.

• Cleaning rods: ensure that your rod is made of a softer material than the one on the barrel of your firearm to avoid scratches.
• Patches: These ensure that the firearm is meticulously clean. Once passed through the bore, they should come out white. Any discoloration indicates the need to run the brushes through the firearm once again. Besides cleaning the bore, the patches can help with the other parts of your weapon.
• Cleaning brushes: Bronze brushes are recommended for extensive scrapping while nylon options are for lighter cleaning.
• A jag or loop: It holds the patch in place as you pass it through the firearm.
• Solvents, degreasers and lubricants: these make the grime and grease easy to remove. The lubricants prevent dust and grime build-up during storage.
• Gun toothbrush: cleans the nooks and crannies of your firearm

2. Find a Properly Ventilated Area: The solvents and lubricants used in this process have a strong characteristic smell. Ensure that your work area is properly ventilated to allow for fresh air circulation. Avoid smoking during this session as some of these materials are highly flammable.

3. Wear Gloves: some of the cleaning agents may harm your skin after prolonged exposure. The gloves will protect you from the long term effects of these chemicals.

4. Use a Cleaning Tray or a Mat: A tray will ensure that even the smallest of the parts are not lost, otherwise it will render your firearm useless. Protect your surfaces from solvents by using the mat.

5. Dismantle the Gun: You will need to use the user’s manual specific to your weapon. Visit the manufacturers website for more information. Watch YouTube videos for clarity and to help you follow through the process. You can seek the services of a gunsmith if you still feel unsure. Most importantly, ensure that the firearm is not loaded to avoid accidental discharge. Keep the ammo out of reach.

6. Clean: Scrap the interior of your gun using the proper rods and patches. No solvents should be left within the gun. Clean the exterior of the firearm using the toothbrush and scrape all the grime in the nooks and crannies of the weapon.

7. Oil the Firearm: Lubricate the firearm and look out for any signs of rust. Rust has the potential to spread and destroy your gun completely.

8. Reconstruct: Wash your hands and reassemble your firearm according to the instructions manual. Store it in a safe place ready for use.

For those who prefer videos, here’s an excellent tutorial …

Ensure that you give your firearm the necessary care for it to be reliable for years to come.