RE: cleaing a gun from the muzzle
i use the bore snakes all the time but you still need to brush once in a while. people tend to clean their barrels much more that is needed. as for the aluminum and brass rods i have guns that were purchased back in the 60's and have been cleaned 100's of times with soft medal rods and i have yet to damage one. the brush itself is tougher on the barrel than any smooth cleaningrod would be.