View Full Version : BoreSnake broke!
While cleaning my AR15 after shooting yesterday my Hoppe's Bore snake snapped at the pull string and cleaner section. Has this happen to anyone else? I used it brand new to clean the AR15 last week to get all the storage grease off the rifle. Then on the rifle to clean after shooting when it snapped....:confused:
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3978/mailgooglecomz.jpg
CarbonCycles
05-15-12, 12:14
I'm not exactly sure what or why you're complaining about. A BS is a consumable and it's like 15 bucks for a new one?
If it bothers you, go back to where you bought it and talk to them.
complaining no. But it broke after three pass throughs an AR. Dont want to spend $15 every time I clean my gun
coloradorockin
05-15-12, 12:24
complaining no. But it broke after three pass throughs an AR. Dont want to spend $15 every time I clean my gun
If it bothers you so much call the company and i betcha they will just send you a new one.
How did you get it out? Ron
Seems like a defective one to me. Contact the maker and I bet they will replace it for free.
How did you get it out? Ron
Luckily enough a small amount of the material was exposed and I was able to pull it through and get one last good cleaning with it ;). Yeah heading to Wally to buy a new one just dont want to burn through them so easily.
Scary really.. Someone recently had one break and get stuck in the barrel.. Ron
yeah seems like a ton of resistance and a hell of a pull to get it to pass through the barrel for such a small pull string.
I use them alot, never had a problem. Was it the original or the Viper? The pic looks like the Viper, I've heard some complaints about them breaking
2theXtreme
05-15-12, 13:19
I use them alot, never had a problem. Was it the original or the Viper? The pic looks like the Viper, I've heard some complaints about them breaking
From the pic above it looks like the viper. I have read reviews of the new AR Viper bore snake breaking. The string is a lot thinner then on the old style ones. I was going to purchase a Viper but now I am sticking with the old one for my AR.
My first one broke the way. Luckily I was able to get it out. Called the company and they sent me a new one for free. Seems like a common problem when I googled it, so now I pull very carefully
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I just recently started using a Viper too. I am going to tie a trailer on it now in case it breaks.
I've never broken a stainless cleaning rod, patch, bore guide, or quality brass jag while cleaning any of my uppers.
No way will a bore snake do as good a job of cleaning a gun barrel as the patches, brush,solvent, quality cleaning rod method.
Clean it once, clean it right.
KyAKGuy
I've never broken a stainless cleaning rod, patch, bore guide, or quality brass jag while cleaning any of my uppers.
No way will a bore snake do as good a job of cleaning a gun barrel as the patches, brush,solvent, quality cleaning rod method.
Clean it once, clean it right.
KyAKGuy
The boresnake does a fine job. As far as I'm concerned it gets the job done right.
WARPIG [USMC]
05-15-12, 13:52
The boresnake does a fine job. As far as I'm concerned it gets the job done right.
I've never had an issue with them either.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I cannot stand cleaning guns and as such, the Bore Snake was like a gift from God. I've got them in a variety of calibers and have never looked back. If you wanna play with rods, patches and jags...more power to ya... I got better things to do.
As far as the OP...Call Hoppe's and tell them what happened. My bet is you'll have a new one in a couple days and a letter of apology.
Generalpie
05-15-12, 14:39
It is like a hockey skate lace. Sometimes they look like they will break any second and last years, other times they break when they look almost new.
We have used the crap out of one at work and it is like the energizer bunny.
I would contact their customer service. They will likely make it right.
It isn't an unique experience by any stretch.
Consider yourself lucky. This incident went on for a month. The drama was unbearable. In the end the "AntiChrist" Boresnake was removed by exorcism. LOL
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=90086&highlight=boresnake
I cannot stand cleaning guns and as such, the Bore Snake was like a gift from God. I've got them in a variety of calibers and have never looked back. If you wanna play with rods, patches and jags...more power to ya... I got better things to do.
x2
For intermediate cleaning a boresnake is more than enough.
Buckshot Barry
05-15-12, 15:53
Thanks for the post. I've used regular Boresnakes for years with no issues. I'll stay away from the Viper.
I have used one for years and never had problems.
I have one that I have been using for years... and luckily a spare (if the new ones suck.)
The one I use in the AR is by far the tightest I have.. I'm hoping is wears in a bit and gets a little easier to pull through. I have a nice 1-pc carbon fiber cleaning rod and everything I need for scheduled maintenance.. I'd rather it be a little less tight for everyday swabbing and not get stuck/broke in the barrel.. JMO.. Ron
It happend to me, and got stuck. It was a B to get out, Ill never use one ever agian...
good info. thanks for all the replies everyone
I have been using one of the older ones for quite sometime now. It is very tight and gets the job done for me. Sounds like people might just need to stay away from the vipor model since that is the one having problems.
The cord on the "new and improved" Viper is garbage. Mine broke and I only use the original version.
do they still sell the original non viper one? seems to be the one to get
sinlessorrow
05-16-12, 11:15
http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2010/12/07/hoppes-boresnake-viper-bites/
"I took the plastic cover off the rope and found the two cords were heat welded together and then covered with that white thing. I can only guess that there was too much heat applied and the cord became brittle. I’m hoping to talk to Hoppes directly about the failure and see if they have heard of this before."
the original boresnake is threaded together like no other, i would stick with it
wetidlerjr
05-16-12, 11:50
The boresnake does a fine job. As far as I'm concerned it gets the job done right.
I agree. A "BoreSnake" is all I use 99% of the time in both pistols and rifles. It does ALL the cleaning needed.
I've been using the original boresnake for years. When I carried a 1911 I would use my .45 boresnake on my 9mm simmunitions upper...tied to an assault truck bumper while I pulled the upper to get all the plastic out of the rifling (yeah, that's a redneck technique...):D
I never broke one of the originals doing dumb stuff like that with them, but I'll be sure to steer clear of the new ones now. Sorry to hear about all the problems with the new style.
justlikeanyoneelse
05-16-12, 12:32
I'm sure this is not an indication that the viper is an inferior product, I have a viper for both 5.56 and .45 and I never had a problem...to add on I am a clean freak so I abuse them quite a bit.
I haven't used a boresnake (neither original nor viper) but was wondering if there's a way to replace the current pull cord with some 550? Has anyone tried this, if so how did it work?
Yeah, my one that broke was also a viper.
Sent from my T7575 using Board Express
WARNING: If your Boresnake breaks, do NOT under any circumstance, at any time use a $0.98 wood dowel to push it out!!!! This will take just moments and you will be left with NOTHING to post about.
M4C highly recommends you instead try:
- solvents, flame, heating, liquid nitrogen
- cramming other items down the barrel along with the Snake,
- cursing, stomping, hexes, incantations
- back alley coat hanger extraction,
- ferrets,
- suing BoreSnake Inc., and suing the barrel maker,
- Ambifil/Zytec/Viagra/No-Doze
This will give you oodles of things to post about for at least a month while your bore remains permanently plugged.
And for goodness sake, do NOT (repeat, NOT) let your 10 yr old sneak into the garage and tap out the Snake with said wood dowel when you are not looking and rob you of valuable post count and notoriety!!!!
Carry on.
I was surprised no one asked what brand of rifle he had. We all know boresnakes don't break in Colt's, LMT"s, DD's or Noveske's. ;)
Graystroke
05-16-12, 19:36
I bought one sized for my .204 Ruger and before I got to use it, I read on the .204Ruger forum that people have had them break in these small bores.
So I use the .204 size Snake in my Colt but I might tie another stout cord on the back loop to pull it back out if the front ever breaks.
(I'll use just my Dewey on my .204).
I've gone to the foaming bore cleaner & weed whacker string...fill bore and sit over night, pull patch through in the AM. Done.
~Get some weed whacker string.
~cut to desired length
~sharpen one end to a point with knife
~burn the other end with a lighter and tap burnt end out on wet counter
~pierce correct size patch and pull though till it catches on the burnt end.
This system is great for your range / hunting / survival bag as the sharpen end can be used to clear a muzzle plugged with mud & wiped clean in one minute.
Bore snakes get too dirty & a mess to clean.
Cool idea... you can get a big enough bead on the strong that it doesn't just pull through the patch?
do they still sell the original non viper one? seems to be the one to get
Yes,Dont buy the one with the orange loop on the end thats the VIPER.
Wow looks like mine is pre-Viper. That's a relief.
;1307237']I've never had an issue with them either.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
yeah i've been using my 9mm/38 one for like 3 years now. it works great. I'll probably pick up a 223 one at some point soon. probably not a viper.. i've heard of a few vipers breaking now.
Cool idea... you can get a big enough bead on the strong that it doesn't just pull through the patch?
no problems using the pro shot patches ever...you actually need to watch the size of your burnt end for the 22cal bore, as it will get too tight.
WARNING: If your Boresnake breaks, do NOT under any circumstance, at any time use a $0.98 wood dowel to push it out!!!! This will take just moments and you will be left with NOTHING to post about.
M4C highly recommends you instead try:
- solvents, flame, heating, liquid nitrogen
- cramming other items down the barrel along with the Snake,
- cursing, stomping, hexes, incantations
- back alley coat hanger extraction,
- ferrets,
- suing BoreSnake Inc., and suing the barrel maker,
- Ambifil/Zytec/Viagra/No-Doze
This will give you oodles of things to post about for at least a month while your bore remains permanently plugged.
And for goodness sake, do NOT (repeat, NOT) let your 10 yr old sneak into the garage and tap out the Snake with said wood dowel when you are not looking and rob you of valuable post count and notoriety!!!!
Carry on.
Nice.
:D
An Undocumented Worker
05-17-12, 09:00
no problems using the pro shot patches ever...you actually need to watch the size of your burnt end for the 22cal bore, as it will get too tight.
I use a similar method, with small diameter string trimmer line I tie a couple knots close together at one end, then using a lighter or heat gun I tighten the knots up tighter. It fits a bit more snug than just melting the end. Also I leave some trimmer line trailing off of the back just incase anything gets stuck I can still remove it from the other end if necessary.
I came up with this method primarilly for a .22 CZ bolt gun that has the ejector located where it would gouge the hell out of a cleaning rod, and the bore squeezed down towards the muzzle enough that even your standard .22 cleaning rod felt too close for comfort.
My only complaint with the string trimmer line is that it has a natural bend/curve to it that makes getting it past muzzle devices a pain in the ass at times. Maybe I should try some different trimmer line.
What about the Patchworm?
http://20-20.8m.com/buttstock.html
I've gotten patches stuck before, which is why I went to a Boresnake. BUT, given the possibility that it can break, I do two things:
1) tie on a piece of cord at the back end of snake for retrieval if it breaks
2) I used a pair of pliers to crush the brush part of the snake to non existence. I use a solvent soaked brush on a Dewey rod for the scrubbing part, then the modified snake to clean it all out.
Works for me.
Yes,Dont buy the one with the orange loop on the end thats the VIPER.:lol:
haha thanks! Yeah at Bass Pro today I saw a whole rack of non Viper ones. I had no clue there was two types. Wally only sold the Viper at the time.
Side note mentioned a few post back. The AR i used was my first AR I ever bought it was my Sig M400.
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