I know this is kind of an odd post, but i was curious how some of yall cleaned your handguns as far as which solvents, lubricants (types and brands) also bore snakes vs rods....only been hunting for 4 years and just got my first handgun about a year ago. I know the way i clean it works fine but just wanted to know if there were any secret tips that my brother in law didnt show me...

I used Hoppes. I do the old school rod method but find myself reaching for the snake every now and then. For my pistols I use the heck out of q-tips and brushes. I like my sidearm to look pretty when a dirtbag gets a good look. But all in all its all up to you. Nothing like the smell of that stuff hypes my up. Old memories of me and my dad cleaning guns before the range.

Old school....rods, brushes, patches, q-tips, pipe cleaners. Hoppes and gun oil.

No.9 and a rag, a rod, toothbrush, and Q-tips. I finish with CLP. Make sure to dab a bit of No.9 behind the ears...chicks dig it.

X2

I used to use Hoppes but went back to tried and true Break Free CLP, and I use an old soft shirt as a rag to initialy wipe the gunk off, then move in with lots of Q-tips and alternate between ones soaked in CLP to get in the small areas and dry ones to remove what was loosed up, I deffinatly would use a Bore snake they save so much time over using the rods, and off course a soft bristel brush to scrub

For inside the barrel Butches Bore Shine, Nylon brush and patch.

For finishing up outside the bore Corrosion-X on all metal parts that might ever think about rusting.

Stay away from Bore Snakes. They do not do a good job of copper removal, ok for powder. Make sure you use a good brush to get it all.

The copper brush does make a difference.
It gets more than just powder.