What is the best muzzle crown protection?

[jskeys]

I have a number of different mil surplus rifles: Enfields .303s, M1 Garands, M1 carbines, 8mm Mausers, M1903 and M1917, Marlin 336 (not military but a 30-30 cal) lever and M4s. I use both normal cleaning rods amd snakes to clean these. I am conserned about protecting the muzzle crowns so I have been looking at possible muzzle bore guides as an option. I realize that there is likely no single product that will cover all these (especially considering the difference between M4 cal and others), but given the wealth of knowledge on this site I hope to find the best option.
My thought was that while there are many options for bolt actions (thru the chamber) they are not good for semi-auto. So maybe cleaning through the muzzle is an answer. Thanks in advance for your input.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

You mention the Marlin 336, you know you can remove the bolt for cleaning don't you? They clean from the breech like most of the others. The only ones need to be cleaned from the front are the two M1s...

[jond41403]

And at least for my garand, I use a delrin bore guide made by Dewey, made for the m1 with a one-piece rod. It keeps your rod centered at all times away from the crown and works like a charm. I have no affiliation with this listing whatsoever but I do notice there is one for sale on eBay right now and the item number is 334406818483 from seller ptctex.hth, on my m4, I've always used an Otis cleaning cable and the cable is coated so not to harm the crown, from breech to muzzle of course

[emmagee1917]

Shooter's Choice universal bore guide SHF-BG-U for your bolt guns and AR rifles.
Chris

[bob q]

A quick and easy way for just patches is some weed eater line with a knot at one end and the other cut to a point . The point will push through a patch and the knot will keep it on the line as you pull it trough from the breech .

[bml]

Clean from the chamber end for all but the M1. Never reverse stroke at the muzzle.

If you remove the lever and bolt on the Marlin for cleaning, use a properly sized hollow ground screw driver to remove the lever pivot screw.

The M1 can be cleaned from the breach by inserting the rod from the muzzle and putting the patch or brush on at the action. There is a you tube video out there on how to do this. There is also other videos on how to clean them from the muzzle with a muzzle guide.