Ultra Accurate
Custom Chambers & Accessories

What Is The Proper Way To Break-in My New O.T.T. Barrel?

This is a question we hear a lot, not just on O.T.T. barrels but, barrels in general.
Ask 100 different people get 100 different answers. AND I think, there must be at least 100 different types of gun cleaners/solvents on the market plus, numerous home brewed concoctions. All are gaurenteed to do a super duty job removing copper, powder, plastic, dirt and general all around grunge from your favorite rifle or handgun. Which products and methods are the best opens up a whole new argument. One I refuse to get into.

And the debate continues and will as long as people clean thier barrels.
"What is the best cleaner, solvent on the market?"
Since 1997 our answer at K.T.S. is M-Pro7 Period.
Don't look for other cleaners here as M-Pro7 is our exclusive choice and you won't convince us that there is a better product on the market.

What ever you use, when you receive your O.T.T. Barrel take the time to give it a good cleaning before heading out to the range. I know, I know, you've waited long enough to get this barrel and it LOOKS clean but, please, wait a little longer and give it a good cleaning anyway.
~M-Pro7 Cleaning Method

When I receive a new Bbl. from O.T.T. my cleaning consists of a couple shots of MPRO-7 and 4 passes with a good nylon or bronze brush, one in, one out, one in, one out, one more good shot of MP-7 and then, let sit for 5-10 min. Then I patch a jag for a good tight fit in the bore and run it thru. I can usually take the same patch, turn it over and run it thru again. Either way I run a couple patches thru it. I then take a clean patch with 2-3 small drops of M-PRO7 CLP on it and run it thru the bore on my jag.

With a used Bbl. I'll put a couple shots of MPRO-7 down the tube and give it 1/2 doz. passes with a bronze brush. I then give it a couple more good shots of MP-7 and let it sit for awhile, 45min to an hour usually. Then I'll give it a couple more passes with the brush and patch out with a good tight fitting rag on my jag.
Then I do the whole process all over again. If the patches still look pretty grungy after the second process I then fill the Bbl. with MP-7 and leave it to soak over night.
Next morning a couple passes with a brush and patch out.

Now I'm ready to go to the range.

Working with a new barrel I take a couple three guns with me so I have something to do. Setting up, I fire 5 rnds. thru the new tube and stop, pull out the cleaning gear and give it a scrub. Same as I did when I 1st received it.
A couple shots of MPRO-7 and 4 passes with a good nylon or bronze brush, one in, one out, one in, one out, one more good shot of MP-7 and then, let sit for 5-10 min. (The reason for a couple extra guns) Then I patch a jag for a good tight fit in the bore and run it thru, usually 3 will do it. I do this for the 1st 50 rnds. Every 15 rnds or so I will put a couple small drops of MP-7 CLP on a patch and run thru the bore after it has been cleaned.

And thats it. After this initial break-in I clean the Bbl. after each range session or, when it starts to lose accuracy. MPRO-7 works into the pores of the metal and conditions it for greater ease in subsequent cleanings. I now have 7 Contender Barrels that have never been cleaned with anything but MPRO-7 while they have been in my possession. 4 were received brand new and 3 were purchased used. I treated them all in the above described manner. I can take any one of them out and shoot 5-100 rnds thru them with out cleaning in between. Only one loses enough accuracy to make a difference and, once I get back home, cleaning time takes about 15-20 minutes regardless of the number of rounds shot or, whether the bullets were lead or copper jacketed.
One thing to note. After initial break-in, when I return to the range I will run 1 patch thru the bore before I begin shooting. As stated, MPRO-7 works into the pores of the Bbl. metal, (one reason why I think it works better with a warm Bbl.) If the Bbl. is left to sit for a period of time, impurities in the metal will actually leach out. On a couple of my Bbls. I have noticed a grayish tint on the patch after the bbl. had set awhile. Over a period of time, even this will go away but, its still a good idea to run a patch thru the bore anyway.

The only other thing I do with my Bbls./guns after shooting is to wipe them down with a light coating of oil or one of those treated clothes.

What you do with your Bbls./guns is your business. I know guys that never clean their guns and they look it, all rusty and dusty. I'm almost ashamed to take them out to the range. I know others that over clean their guns, putting enough oil on and in them to do my entire collection twice! And, some are anal enough to clean the Bbl. after every shot. To each their own.

Personally, I like to shoot, the less time I spend cleaning the better. Since I started the above cleaning regime on my Bbls/guns my cleaning time has been cut over half, my guns are as clean or cleaner than anybody else's I've had opportunity to check out and more accurate than most.

Now I'll be the first to admit that I don't get around to cleaning my Bbls./guns immediately after I get home. However, if I am going to put off the cleaning I do wipe them down with a little oil or silicone cloth to remove those nasty fingerprints and, they do get a cleaning before returning to the range.

2-1-05 NOTE, We have had quite a few questions on what equipment we prefer to use. I personally like the Pro-Shot line of cleaning rods and use J.Dewey or Pro-Shot brand Brushes, Jags and Mops. Both make Quality Patches and I use them for the 17 calibers. However, for 22 cal and up I use patches I cut from flannel sheets. These have worked great for me and I see no reason to change. When I run out of these I have 2 more sets to go, there are a lot of patches in a set of queen size sheets.

What ever equipment you decide to use for your cleaning regime, use it right. Some of this cleaning equipment is expensive and in my opinion deserves just as much care as the gun its self. I always wipe down my rods and give my brushes a shot or two of 'Blast Out' to clean them.

Go slow and don't force things, your running a steel rod down a $400 barrel, BE CAREFUL!

One thing for sure. If you have an O.T.T. Barrel it will be accurate. Clean it when you first get it. Break it in with what ever method you want to use or, not, and go shooting. If your using a good quality gun cleaner, ( there are a bunch of them on the market today),and taking reasonable care to clean the Bbl. properly, you will be accurately shooting your O.T.T. Barrel for many, many years. Guaranteed.