Tipton Cleaning Rod - Bent?

[Phil3]

I never really thought about it before, but how straight are cleaning rods supposed to be? My new Tipton rod when held be the handle, and the rod spun, scribes at least a 1/2" circle at the rod end. The rod, when held horizontal, always swings to a spot where the end is at a lowest point. I am fearful that the bent rod may have dragged down the side of the barrel upon withdrawal, damaging the rifling. I am using a Lucas Bore Guide, Tipton nickel plated jag in an AR15. The rod has been VERY hard to get down the barrel, even using patches little more than 3/4" square in a 223 Remington barrel.

As an aside, when the rod exits the barrel, it is not bearing against the side of the barrel from all appearances.

Is the rod defective, or...?

Thanks.

- Phil

 

[284driver]

I have a couple of Tipton carbon rods and one is straight, the other wobbles just a hair. Don't really see what it would hurt. Certainly better than a crooked steel rod. I would be more concerned about that nickel plated jag getting in contact with the bore.

 

[Phil3]

My rod, with the handle held in a vise, has the rod end wobbling 1/2". That to me is pretty severe. Since the rod is curved and the barrel isn't, seems to me the rod end would contact the barrel sides. Although, when the rod exits the barrel, the rod does contact the barrel sides, though with very little pressure. Rotating the rod causes the pressure point on the barrel interior to change with it.

Tipton maintains the nickel coating is safe with barrels. The jag is smaller in diameter than the brass rod end, so it would have a hard time hitting anything in the barrel.

- Phil

 

[284driver]

i misunderstood. so the tip is bent. i thought you meant the rod was bent.

 

[Phil3]

No, the rod IS bent or curved. The tip is aligned with the rod, that's fine. I put the rod only (no handle) against a straightedge and it is definitely not straight. Maybe out by a bit less than 1/4" at the jag end, with the rod gradually showing a gap as you move from handle end to jag end. Turn the rod 180 degrees, and it is out 1/4" that way, for a total wobble at the end of 1/2".

- Phil