Oh the learning process is slow - must be all those brain cells dying off over the years. Oh well, I can hope that all that extra time in retirement will stimulate new growth.Just took my ram rod, reveresed the loading/cleaning jag, and find (to my surprise only I'm sure) that it disappears completelyinto the barrel by about 3/4 1 inch. Obviously I will need an extension such as those I recall I saw in the store(which now makes sense). Of course nothing on the 3 piece rod from the cleaning kit matches the ram rod.