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SHOP SWABS Reviews & Ratings

Large, wire-handled, dauber-type swab. Excellent for flooding on cold blues and many other shop applications.

SPECS:

.75" (19.0mm) diameter
3.54" (9.0cm) overall

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4 Stars

Reviews Summary

While many users appreciate the versatility and utility of the SHOP SWABS, there are growing concerns about a change in material that affects absorbency and performance. Some reviews highlight their effectiveness for cleaning and applying solutions, but numerous customers express disappointment over lint production and reduced functionality compared to previous versions. Overall, they still find uses in cleaning firearms, albeit with some caveats.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Product Quality

70%

The quality of the SHOP SWABS has come into question, with users reporting a decline in effectiveness due to a change in materials. Many long-time users loved the previous versions, which were absorbent and lint-free, while the newer iterations are criticized for poor absorbency and excess lint.

Versatility

60%

Despite the quality concerns, many reviewers appreciate the swabs' versatility. They find them useful for various applications, from cleaning firearm receivers to applying rust bluing. Users often share creative ways to utilize the swabs beyond their intended purpose, highlighting their adaptability.

Lint Issue

50%

A significant number of reviewers mention that the new swabs leave lint behind during use, which is inconvenient and can complicate the cleaning process. This issue notably detracts from their overall effectiveness, with some users feeling that more follow-up cleaning is required.

Performance for Specific Tasks

40%

Reviewers have varying experiences regarding the swabs' performance for specific tasks like rust bluing. While they can be useful for initial cleaning phases, the lack of absorbency hampers their effectiveness for detailed applications, sometimes necessitating the use of additional tools or products.

User Satisfaction

50%

There is a mix of satisfaction and disappointment among users. Some express unwavering loyalty and continued use of the product, while others voice frustration over the declining standards and quality of the latest swabs, hoping for a return to more effective materials.

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Great product for bluing...

I use these swabs for both cold bluing and rust bluing and find them an excellent product at a great price. I see others have downrated them and that's their experience which is fair...but my experience has been very positive. Admittedly I didn't have any experience with the older versions to compare them with but I like them and they're half the price of the competition.

Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend

Swabs

Just what I needed, works great, will buy again. Thanks Brownells.

Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend

by ROBIN H. on January 29, 2025

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Indispensable!

For the seal-coat of thinned Tru-Oil, I have found nothing better. I also use these as applicators for inletting black when fitting stocks. When tip is hardened by dried finish, I clip off and use the metal stems as picks, hooks and other handy uses. Great product!

I have used them about a decade and love

I am not sure what the other reviews ran into. I have used these over a decade for cleaning weapons. I LOVE THEM! The don't leave lint, they remove fouling, gunk et al. They get crevices that towels wont. I don't know what to put other than they work to clean weapons.

Great for cleaning & lubing.

I use these for cleaning inside the receiver of my rifles. The soft ball smashes down to conform to the machined cuts, and it squishes to a smaller diameter get inside a chamber. After cleaning with the swab I use compressed air to blow out the solvent - occasionally I have to repeat once on a really diry receiver. Wrap the ball lightly with 0000 steel wool and use Stoddard solvent to quickly remove rust in a receiver. Oil a swab, and then blot off the excess oil, and then use the swab to apply a light film of oil in the receiver. No downside to these that I have found.

Rust blue solution applicator

I use these exclusively to apply rust bluing solution. 8-10 drops of solution in an 'itty-bitty' cup which is tipped sideways to collect the solution in the corner and then gently absorbing the solution on the swab is about right for a double barrel set. After the solution is absorbed on one side of the swab I gently roll that swab side on the side of the cup to spread the solution out on the swab a bit. These are one-time uses for me then I discard the swab.

A Multitude of Uses

I couldn't get along in my shop if I didn't have the use of these swabs. Great for applying cold blue, helping to clean in hard to reach places. There are so many ways in which these swabs are helpful the list could go on and on. A great product.