Search for better O rings for PMA bore guide

[Sleepyhollow]

Call Pat at PMA and let him know the issue. I bet he'll send you O rings or know how to fix the problem. Pat good people and treat his customers right.

 

[divingin]

If I can't push the guide in with a thump and pull it out with two fingers it is a fit problem.

While I sort of agree with you, I find that what happens with solvent while cleaning has a lot to do with it. If solvent gets onto the O-rings (onto, not past) it lubes them up to a degree, and it slides right out. If it doesn't you've got the O-Ring material on dry steel, which tends to stick a lot.

 

[RegionRat]

While I sort of agree with you, I find that what happens with solvent while cleaning has a lot to do with it. If solvent gets onto the O-rings (onto, not past) it lubes them up to a degree, and it slides right out. If it doesn't you've got the O-Ring material on dry steel, which tends to stick a lot.

Agree.
I have made enough mistakes in my lifetime by missing little stuff in the chamber, that I learned to keep that chamber gap past the o-ring and shoulder in mind every time I pull out the bore guide. One has to clear that part of the chamber regardless of the dry patches sent down the barrel since patches don't touch that zone.

With that in mind, I also spin that o-ring and guide tip on clean paper toweling as a habit before re-inserting it or putting it away.

That is when you have to look to see if there is solvent or lubricant in the o-ring gland that you like or don't like. It would be hard to get it all out without removing the o-ring since it forms a nice capillary gap that draws the fluid by surface tension, even if the rod guide is PTFE or Delrin.

When and if I use something like KG12 (copper solvent), I can notice that stuff on the o-ring gland because of the yellow-orange color, and it shows up easily on the paper towel. By keeping an eye on that, you also keep an eye open for any potential o-ring damage or missing pieces like what the OP stated at the beginning of the thread.

Mixing chemicals in that bore guide, or by accidentally leaving them in the gaps, is a chance to create a problem, so it is important to pay attention to little details when cleaning the chamber and bore guide. Duty weapons that stay loaded are especially vulnerable to residual chemicals left on the bore guide or chamber. YMMV.

 

[Dave M.]

I ripped a few o-rings early on with my PMA bore guides, then I finally realized that there is absolutely no need to push them in any further than they will go it with a less than moderate force with my thumb. Since then, I have not torn any o-rings. I’m not sure if there is a Viton one you can buy from the hardware store, but I’d be willing to bet there is something very close in size that would be more than suitable to use.
Dave

 

[divingin]

When and if I use something like KG12 (copper solvent), I can notice that stuff on the o-ring gland because of the yellow-orange color, and it shows up easily on the paper towel.

Off-topic: I always try and make sure I get *all* the KG-12 out of or off of the rifle.

I left some muzzle drip for a day or two with the gun on my workbench, and found a hard yellow plastic-like material dried on the underside of the barrel when I got back to it.

 

[Ruger15151]

I just put a little cleaning solvent on them and they slide into the chamber without damaging the o'rings.