ball bearing range rod handle

[Don B]

The cleaning jags keep loosening on my range rod with a fixed handle, and it’s only a matter of time before I lose a jag in the bore. So I’m considering getting a rod with a ball bearing handle. Any downsides that I haven’t thought about? I imagine in some ways a rotating jag would clean better than a fixed one.

Don

 

[bpbrs]

Rod that goes round and round means screw no screw & no pull ball out. :hmm:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I always am aware of the state of my rod's contact with the jag, as I check the jag to make sure its screwed down into the rod before inserting it in the barrel. As long as you turn the rod Right, or CLOCKWISE, with the rifling, you should have no problems. Then, on pulling the rod out, expect it to turn COUNTERCLOCKWISE or Left, but that should actually help to tighten the jag on the rod, and to the handle, if you are holding onto the handle when you pull it out.

As already noted, a ball bearing handle is okay, BUT, you should never be pushing a rod from the handle when running it down the barrel. For safety, you should grab the rod in your fingers only, and do a hand-over- hand " push " down the barrel, whether you are loading a PRB, or pushing down a cleaning patch. You can pull the rod out of the barrel with that handle, whatever you use, but don't be pushing the rod down the barrel with it. That is how rods get bent, and broken, running sharp ends into wrists, forearms, and even ribcages. Using a metal " range rod " can prevent the rod from being broken, but I have seen them bent by people who have more testosterone, and brawn, than brains.

 

[MikeC]

I have one of each I take to the range. A fixed handle Durango and a rotating Dewey. Both are great but I mainly use the Dewey.

With regards to pulling out balls I carry a Saf-T-Unloader for that. Great investment that everyone who shoots MZ's should have in their bag but hopes they never have to use.

 

[Don B]

bpb: I'd have my old fixed handle rod around if I needed to twist a screw or brush.

PaulV: I hadn't thought about that. As you suggest, I don't use the handle when inserting the rod, so a different handle arrangement wouldn't change anything. Duh! Maybe I'll start trying to rotate the rod as I insert it. Sounds like a pain, though. But no worse than always having to re-tighten my jag and worrying about losing it in the barrel.

Don

 

[Dphar]

The cleaning jags keep loosening on my range rod with a fixed handle, and it’s only a matter of time before I lose a jag in the bore. So I’m considering getting a rod with a ball bearing handle. Any downsides that I haven’t thought about? I imagine in some ways a rotating jag would clean better than a fixed one.

Don

As pointed out bearing handles have limited usefulness with ML arms though I really like the one I made for the 30" barreled 16 bore. But it has a hooked breech too so I can use the handle easily.
A bearing handle, a good one allows the patch to follow the rifling better and will clean better as a result. But in long barreled MLs they are hard to use since unless the rifle in cleaned in a gun vice its hard to get you hand on the handle.
I have wood rods and one 5/16" stainless I bent 90 degrees at the end for pulling balls and such though since my standard rod is 46" you can pull balls with it by gripping the rod if the barrel is under 40" or so.

Dan