A cleaning rod is a firearm maintenance tool that can be used to clean the inside (bore) of a gun's barrel, and is made in different sizes for use on different barrel lengths, calibers and gauges. It is a sturdy, long, thin, straight rod typically made of metal, rigid plastic or carbon fiber, and usually has a handle at one end for gripping and threadings at the other end for attaching cleaning accessories. It is used to push brushes, mops and cotton patches through the bore to deliver solvents and scrub away foulings, or to physically remove any obstructing objects such as a squib load.
Commonly, a breech-end extension tube, known as a bore guide or rod guide, is also used in conjunction with the cleaning rod to prevent cleaning solvent from spilling out into the receiver, and to keep the rod supported and centered inside the bore in order to minimize potential damage to riflings. Similarly, a muzzle guide or muzzle guard might be used if the cleaning rod is to be inserted from the muzzle end of the firearm in order to protect the crown of the muzzle from mechanical damage.
A cleaning cord is an alternative gun care tool to a cleaning rod. A cleaning cord is a flexible fabric cord with a tapered thin end that has a weight attached to it, in order to help the initial feeding of the cord through the breech end of the barrel. When the thin end has been fed throughout the other end, the rest of the cord is then dragged towards the muzzle, scrubbing the bore along the way. A cleaning cord often has one or more integrated brushes to help clear away more stubborn contaminants, and may also be used to apply lubricants.
An assortment of cleaning rods: A short cleaning rod with a brass brush attached, a foldable cleaning rod with a nylon brush attached, a cleaning kit for a shotgun (note the thicker rod), and some different brushes.
Integrated cleaning rod on a Mauser M59.
A cleaning cord with a clip at the end for attaching a patch.
Historical bore cleaning equipment for a cannon.
Cannon with cannon balls and cleaning rod, detail from a title page by Reinier van Persijn of the book by C. M. Anhaltin, Slot en sleutel van de groote zee-vaert met een uytschrijvinge van Oost en West, Amsterdam, 1659.
A cleaningrod is a firearm maintenance tool that can be used to clean the inside (bore) of a gun's barrel, and is made in different sizes for use on different...
speedloader guide, cleaningrod, cleaning kit, sling, oil bottle and two magazine pouches. Some variants do not come with the cleaning kit option. It is...
compartment in the buttstock for which to store a unique two-piece cleaningrod. The cleaningrod storage compartment was accessed via an ingenious rotating door...
for the cleaning kit also serves as a cleaningrod guide, to protect the crown from being damaged during cleaning. The body of the cleaning kit serves...
a short length of cleaningrod, fitted through the bayonet stud. The joined rods from 3 rifles provided one full-length cleaningrod. The metal parts of...
combine the bayonet and cleaningrod into a single unit. This model had not been successful, due to problems with the bayonet/cleaningrod retaining mechanism...
respectively, and a notch for installing and removing the cleaning jag on the cleaningrod), broken case extractor, front sight adjustment tool, gas tube...
fingers after being loosened by the extractor hook.” Furthermore, the cleaningrod of the rifle can be used quite effectively to remove a stuck case in...
pried from jammed weapons. This did not account for cases removed by a cleaningrod or other objects nor for jammed rifles cleared away from the immediate...
round-rod bayonet model was also produced, designated the Model 1888. This, like the Springfield model 1880, was an attempt to combine the cleaningrod and...
does not have a cleaningrod capture or sling loop but is instead fitted with an integrated bayonet support collar that has a cleaningrod guide hole. The...
were a dark blue color known in Japan as kon. A leather pocket for the cleaningrod was provided, sewn onto the forward edge of the holster body. Most examples...
rod that telescopes into tubes on both sides of the receiver. Both ends of the stock were tapped and drilled so that it can be used as a cleaningrod...
firearm owner using either simple methods such as cleaning the firearm with oil or other cleaning solutions or more sophisticated practices such as lubricating...
barrel band and placing the cleaningrod on the left side of the rifle. It was discovered soon after that the cleaningrod in its current placement was...
featured a double shouldered cleaningrod, which differed from the first Model 1870 that had used the Model 1868 rifle's cleaningrod. The second version Model...
Designated M1887, it differed from the M71/84 in that it had a side-mounted cleaningrod, a second locking lug on the rear of the bolt and that it was in 9.5×60mmR...
regulations) and were made by Atchison Leather Products or Hickok. A cleaningrod and two spare magazines were also included. Generals were issued the...
screws. They have a unique storage compartment in the buttstock for a cleaningrod. These additional features increased the cost of the carbine to 86.2...
is minor, the Norwegian rifles have brass buttplates and head of the cleaningrod, and steel mounting bands, while Swedish rifles have iron furniture....
Global Information
An assortment of cleaning rods: A short cleaning rod with a brass brush attached, a foldable cleaning rod with a nylon brush attached, a cleaning kit for a shotgun (note the thicker rod), and some different brushes.
Integrated cleaning rod on a Mauser M59.
A cleaning cord with a clip at the end for attaching a patch.
Historical bore cleaning equipment for a cannon.
Cannon with cannon balls and cleaning rod, detail from a title page by Reinier van Persijn of the book by C. M. Anhaltin, Slot en sleutel van de groote zee-vaert met een uytschrijvinge van Oost en West, Amsterdam, 1659.
