If you’re a gun owner, chances are good that you own a cleaning kit. It may not be fancy, just a few old rags and some bore brushes. You may not even be familiar with the term “jag”. That’s the name of the looped bore brush designed to hold a small square fabric patch. They can also be spear-shaped in order to “push” the fabric square through the bore. Jags are used to clean carbon buildup from inside the barrel of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. There are many jags available on the market today. Two of the most popular types are brass jags and nylon jags. Here we will discuss the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which is best for you.
The Difference Between Nylon Jags and The Brass Jags
- The Nylon Jags
The nylon jags are soft like plastic, so there’s no concern about scratching the delicate bore or metal pieces of your weapon. Nylon jags are also usually less expensive than brass ones, which is always welcome, especially with the rising cost of ammo. Those are the positives. There is one significant negative, however, when using nylon jags. There is a much higher chance of the nylon jags breaking off in the barrel when compared to brass jags. The cleaning rod you most likely use is a brass cleaning rod. The nylon attachment end can snap off in the barrel if you use too many patches. Getting a jag and patches stuck in the barrel is a recipe for a bad day.
- The Brass Jags
Brass jags are more durable and longer-lasting than nylon jags. Because brass is softer than steel, you don’t need to worry about the brass scratching your steel barrel. The brass jags do cost slightly more than nylon jags, but the difference is just a few dollars. You can find both brass and nylon jag kits for a very reasonable price. Most importantly, a brass jag will not break off inside your barrel as a nylon one can. For this reason, brass jags are much more reliable and dependable than nylon jags.
How to Choose the Jags that Suits You
If you don’t shoot often, and you need to give your barrel just an occasional cleaning, nylon jags will probably be fine for you. Just remember not to overload your jag with too many patches or it might get stuck. If you’re a more frequent shooter, and thus clean your guns more frequently, investing in a good brass set of jags will pay off in the long run. They will last longer and have less chance of getting stuck in your barrel.
Both nylon and brass jags are effective for the job. However, if you tend to overload your jags with two or three patches at a time, there's a higher risk of the nylon jag breaking off. If this sounds like you, it's worth investing in a set of brass jags. While they may cost a few dollars more, they offer added durability and peace of mind.
If you're in search of a suitable brass jag cleaning kit, you'll find the answer here: GLORYFIRE BRASS Jags Gun Cleaning Kit
Past topics:
BEST HANDGUN CLEANING MAT OF 2021
Complete Guide to Gun Cleaning
Best 9MM cleaning Kits 2021- Buying Guide
