Probably the really stupid question of the month - about pipe cleaners?

[Jerry V Lape]

Frequently I see references to using a pipe cleaner to clean  the vent on a flintlock.  I am not a pipe smoker so apparently I am missing something here - where do  you get pipe cleaners small enough to fit into the vent?  There is no way the standard twisted cleaners I see will fit in there. 

[Scott Bumpus]

I USE PIPE CLEANERS I BOUGHT AT WALL MART.  THEY SEEM TOBE  STANDARD SIZEND THEY FIT THE VENT JUST FINE.  I WILL TRY TO MEASURE MY VENT AND POST THE HOLE SIZE, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE IS IS STANDARD.

[Candle Snuffer]

Some pipe cleaners have a bit larger wire, but they don't cost so much that a person can't buy a couple different brands and test them.  If you get some that won't work you can always use them in cleaning your lock, around the springs and such.

[Roger Fisher]

Jeez some guys/girls out here/there even might be maybe shootin cap guns    For those of them/us that do the ol pipe cleaner w/bristles works great to clean out that drum (I've been told this) 

Ok time for beddie bye

[ottawa]

nothing beats pipe cleaners for tight spots as well as Q-tips  but Q-tips can leave peaces behind if they snag

[t.caster]

Yah, I use em too. Thought everyone did. Especially for cleaning & oiling around the lock

[roundball]

I use lots of them...bought a bulk pack of them on the internet years ago:

http://best-price-wholesale.com/index.pl?t=ViewProduct&category=1169224630

[tg]

Craft stores also sell fuzzy sticks with thin wire in the middle I think these come on various sizes.

[Acorn Mush]

Craft stores also sell fuzzy sticks with thin wire in the middle I think these come on various sizes.

Be sure you get pipe cleaners made with pure cotton material. I tried some of those cheaper "fuzzy sticks ' from a local craft store and found they were made of a synthetic material. Didn't clean well at all!