How Important is it to Use Swab-its Gun-Tips?

Break down a firearm, any firearm. One can see there is so much more to a firearm than the bore. There are little areas such as slide, chambers, and components. These are the first areas grit and fouling build up. Left unattended, and the buildup can start to grind components and oxidize the metal. To make sure this doesn’t happen, you may look to other ways to clean your firearm with a linty cotton swab, a time consuming ultrasonic cleaner, or even a spray and hope it works method. Bottom line, these are bad alternative and here is why…

Why are cotton swabs a bad alternative?

Cotton swabs are a dime a dozen. They are cheap. What many people do not realize is the harm cotton can cause inside a firearm. Cotton holds and absorbs moisture. After all, that is why you find cotton swabs in wound care, and you are told not to wear wet cotton on cold days. Cotton naturally carries fluid for transport from one area to another. Using cotton on a firearm is like collecting kindling to start a fire. The cotton collects and absorbs naturally occurring salt and moisture in the air, and then holds this moisture mix on metal components deep inside your firearm. As time goes by nature takes its course, and oxidization of the metal begins. Your precious firearm begins to rust, thus cotton swabs are not the best answer.

Why is an ultrasonic cleaner a bad alternative?

Ultrasonic cleaners aren't time effective. After removing a zeroed scope and breaking down your firearm to just metal components, your hands will be filthy. You then drop the parts into an ultrasonic tank and turn it on. After one minute, you’ll have clean parts but any bluing or paint on your gun may also be gone. Once you pull all the parts out and put the gun together, you’ll still have to oil each and every part you dropped in the ultrasonic cleaner. Re-oiling is critical and must happen in order to protect the metal components and reduce the wear and tear on your firearm. But that isn’t the only catch. Ultrasonic cleaners use vibrations to shake the metal free of debris. These vibrations can cause the metal to weaken and expand on unseen fractures. Thus, you are reducing the firearms overall lifespan and compromising your firearms integrity.

Why is the “Spray and Pray” method a bad alternative?

Another cleaning method that is often practiced is the “Spray and Pray” method. We all know the one person who never cleans their firearm. When it is finally time to clean their firearm, they grab CLP, oil, or solvent and pour it all over the firearm. Dirt, fouling, copper, and whatever else that firearm has on it flows down the handguard, magazine, well, and stock. The fluid that did not drop down the handguard fills the chambers and slides like molasses. Everything this gun touches will be black and covered in oil. Each round fired will burn some of the excess fluid which causes a little smoke cloud that can burn your eyes. Any wood or plastic that is exposed to these fluids can then swell, crack, and begin to deteriorate.

So why should you buy Swab-its Gun Cleaning products instead?

Swab-its products are lint-free and will not leave fibers behind in your firearm. Compared to an ultrasonic machine, the firearm needs to be broken down less and you can keep your scope zeroed. Our products also do not compromise and fracture a firearm during cleaning. Lastly, our products are engineered to be able to precisely clean parts of your firearm instead of just spraying and praying that a solvent works. Better yet, each swab is washable and reusable with just a little dish soap and warm water.

Find out more about our line of firearm cleaning products at www.swab-its.com today.