Tools to clean the firing pin channel and extractor channel

[sschrick]

So I did a full disassembly of a 1911 slide today to inspect the firing pin and extractor etc..

I tried to run a patch through each of those channels, and found it to be too tight using my standard rod/jag tip that I use to clean the barrel.

Do I need a special tip to clean those two channels? or just a smaller jag/tip? or other special tools?

any advice before I do a complete disassembly of my XD and EMP.

[Garufa]

Q-tip or pipe cleaner should do the job.

[Westwindmike]

Q tip is what I use too.

[gunrunner32]

Throw a little carb cleaner to break up any build up, some oil on a Q-Tip and follow with dry ones til she's clean. A pipe cleaner if you want to get the firing pin hole.

[lowery100]

I use pipe cleaners I get from Walgreens. I've had Q-tips leave cotton lint and whole heads behind. The pipe cleaners seem to eliminate that.

[thundersnow]

http://countycomm.com/ucs.html

Love these wrapped in a cleaning patch...

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Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) P229 and P6 /// Ruger Target 10/22

[huntingman]

sig229 has a good way and I'm getting me a few of those sticks for cleaning tight places!

I take 2 pipe cleaners, bend them over, than twist them tightly together. Some use a a 22 cal. brush but I don't let the channels get that dirty

Edited January 31, 2012 by huntingman

[Jonnin]

I have used dental floss in some places, and I have used just a cardboard q-tip with the head removed for other tight spaces. I have scraped caked on grime out with a large plastic/fake bone/something needle.