This might be helpful: go to http://www.schuemann.com
and look at the information under the link (on the lower left) for "Barrel Cleaning."
Many people use that information to justify not cleaning their barrels (stainless and non-stainless steels). But, it's really something that is directed towards only stainless steel barrels.
I rarely clean the bores of my pistol barrels but, that's out of laziness.
Joe Mamma