dolanp said:
I have heard some people say that the brush that comes with the gun is no good and to replace it with a brass bore brush. Does that sound about right or is the brush decent?
I got my XD used, so I didn't get the brush. I bought my SA 1911 new, and the bore brush that came with it is nylon (looks like nyon...definitely NOT brass).
I would certainly buy a real cleaning kit. They are inexpensive and come with what you need. Including a brass bore brush which will be far more effective at cleaning out your barrel's bore than a nylon brush.
Also, using a tooth brush is great. But the "toothbrush" I got in my "Klean Bore" kit (whole kid was $10) has a narrow brush on the opposite end, which is great since it fits perfectly into the slide grooves. I am pretty sure you can buy that brush separately as well as in the kit. Just like all the components of the kit.
For example, when I got a .45, I was able to buy just the tip of the brass bore brush for less than $2.....it screws right into the handle from the kit.
The cleaning patches are the one item you can go through quickly, but since it makes no difference what brand you use, or if they are round or square, they are inexpensive and widely available anywhere you can buy ammo. I have already bought several different kinds of patches. I just kept the original square box because it fits into the molded cleaning case. I had no trouble getting round patches in the square box. I had no trouble squeezing a lot more square patches into the box than the amount that originally came in it.
Some people clean their guns every time they use them. I'm one of them.
But I don't know if it is really necessary. Especially with the XD. But the XD is so easy to field strip and to clean that I can't see not taking the few minutes to keep it clean.
The 1911 is more difficult to field strip (mostly more difficult to re-assemble), but still easy. So I clean that as well every time I shoot.
I have yet to do a full disassembly of my XD. I am still a little nervous to try. Same with the 1911. I will get around to them. But certainly even though I shoot at least once a week (probably average more), it is not necessary to do a detailed cleaning more than a few times a year from what I have been led to believe.
I am sure there are those who feel differently and I would be happy to hear what their reasons are. I like cleaning my guns, and could be easily convinced to detail strip them (if I could get over being "nervous" about losing small parts or not being able to get them back together).
runin90lx said:
i have about 200 rnds through my XD. i have shot it 2 times. both times i have taken the brush that comes with the gun and run it through the barrel adn cleaned it the best i could..
Kind of sounds as if you are running the brush through the bore without disassembing? If so, that isn't recommended. You are pushing dirt into the breach if that's the way you are using the brush. It only takes a few seconds to field strip the XD, and you should be inserting the brush (preferably a bronze brush to start, then get it really clean with cotton patches) from the breach end of the barrel, not from the muzzle end).
Peace,
D.