Cleaning kit?

Shootin Chef · February 2, 2011, 09:50 AM

So, now that I'm fairly on my way to building a decent collection of firearms I was wondering if there is a kit out there that's relatively inexpensive but will handle my needs? I fire everything from bolt action, semi, shotgun, to handgun so something all inclusive would be great.

Barrel snakes or brushes? Both? Hoppe #9 or is there something better? Copper brush or should I just buy a bunch of cheap toothbrushes?
I know yall have the knowledge and experience I don't so teach me!

Chef

gaseousclay · February 2, 2011, 10:58 AM

I can't make any recommendations myself. all of the cleaning kits I see at the big box stores strike me as cheap. I'm pretty much going for quality over quantity, so i'm buying cleaning accessories individually, like a bore-guide, one-piece cleaning rod, solvent, oil, jag kit, patches, etc. i'm sure the kits sold at stores offer good value for the money, but they're no good to you if they're cheaply made and fall apart.

jmortimer · February 2, 2011, 11:41 AM

I have the Otis kit and like it and it will clean anything and everything - $40.00 or less for universal kit. I am adding Bore Snakes and this http://www.patchworm.com/patchworm.html

Doyle · February 2, 2011, 03:00 PM

I'm more a fan of the put-it-together-yourself kind of kit. I picked up a fairly large and sturdy tool box with a removable top tray from the hardware store. In it, I have a takedown rod, various brushes and jags, patches, cleaners/lubricants, etc. It also holds some basic gunsmithing supplies such as a screwdriver handle and interchangeable bits, drift punches, small hammer, tweezers, reading glasses, small vice-grips pliers, etc. In short, it contains most anything I would need to either bring to the range or use to cleanup after getting back.

wingspar · February 2, 2011, 08:45 PM

Otis cleaning kits. Then add to it what you really need. Kits are always full of stuff you will never use. Start with Otis, and build your own from there.

egor20 · February 2, 2011, 08:50 PM

I like this for two reasons;

1, the price, $19.97
2, its wood, I dislike aluminum cases.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...p=WX2&i=170765

Yung.gunr · February 3, 2011, 10:07 PM

+1 on the wooden boxed kit. It looks very nice and sturdy and has all you need minus the liquids. I bought a kit years ago that included even the cleaners from the range shop but it was like $50.00. Very nice but I didn't know there was less expensive stuff that works just as good.

Shootin Chef · February 3, 2011, 11:41 PM

back when my dad was letting me borrow his old duty .357 S&W revolver I bought a Hoppes #9 kit from a hunting store to clean it with and I still have it, but the rod isn't long enough to clean my rifles and my shotguns. The wooden box kit looks great for the price, I think I'll order that one and use it and my other kit to start building my own cleaning box.
I appreciate the suggestions!

Chef

dtalley · February 6, 2011, 12:54 PM

I have a three bin (I guess that is what it is called) fishing tackle box. I buy individual pieces so I don't end up with brushes or such that I don't need. I have all my solvents in the bottom area and the places on the bins are labeled for the different calibers of brushes and swabs. I made a little rack for my one piece cleaning rods and I am currently puchasing a few of them.
It is also big enough to hold a couple of tools and bore light and such.

DrDragon · February 13, 2011, 12:30 PM

I use both snakes and rods. I love how easy bore snakes are and perfect for a range bag to quickly run through before and after your shoot. Part of what I love about my firearms collection (a big part) is cleaning it, if you're the same, it's fun to just build yourself a kit out of pieces. I have yet to see a prepackaged kit that contains everything I'd want, and the individual pieces are relatively inexpensive. I use a Home Depot Homer box for my main home kit:

Inside

Range Kit

PS: First time posting pics, how do I make them smaller?

DrDragon · February 13, 2011, 12:33 PM

Also, Hoppe's No. 9 and Ballistol fulfill ALL my needs for cleaning/protecting. The other cleaning products you see in my kit rarely, if ever, get used.

February 2, 2011, 09:50 AM	#1
Shootin Chef Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 121	Cleaning kit? So, now that I'm fairly on my way to building a decent collection of firearms I was wondering if there is a kit out there that's relatively inexpensive but will handle my needs? I fire everything from bolt action, semi, shotgun, to handgun so something all inclusive would be great. Barrel snakes or brushes? Both? Hoppe #9 or is there something better? Copper brush or should I just buy a bunch of cheap toothbrushes? I know yall have the knowledge and experience I don't so teach me! Chef

February 2, 2011, 08:45 PM	#5
wingspar Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 258	Otis cleaning kits. Then add to it what you really need. Kits are always full of stuff you will never use. Start with Otis, and build your own from there. __________________ Gary Will Fly for Food... and more Ammo

February 2, 2011, 08:50 PM	#6
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	I like this for two reasons; 1, the price, $19.97 2, its wood, I dislike aluminum cases. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...p=WX2&i=170765 __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

February 2, 2011, 10:58 AM	#2
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	I can't make any recommendations myself. all of the cleaning kits I see at the big box stores strike me as cheap. I'm pretty much going for quality over quantity, so i'm buying cleaning accessories individually, like a bore-guide, one-piece cleaning rod, solvent, oil, jag kit, patches, etc. i'm sure the kits sold at stores offer good value for the money, but they're no good to you if they're cheaply made and fall apart.

February 2, 2011, 11:41 AM	#3
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	I have the Otis kit and like it and it will clean anything and everything - $40.00 or less for universal kit. I am adding Bore Snakes and this http://www.patchworm.com/patchworm.html

February 2, 2011, 03:00 PM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I'm more a fan of the put-it-together-yourself kind of kit. I picked up a fairly large and sturdy tool box with a removable top tray from the hardware store. In it, I have a takedown rod, various brushes and jags, patches, cleaners/lubricants, etc. It also holds some basic gunsmithing supplies such as a screwdriver handle and interchangeable bits, drift punches, small hammer, tweezers, reading glasses, small vice-grips pliers, etc. In short, it contains most anything I would need to either bring to the range or use to cleanup after getting back.

February 3, 2011, 10:07 PM	#7
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	+1 on the wooden boxed kit. It looks very nice and sturdy and has all you need minus the liquids. I bought a kit years ago that included even the cleaners from the range shop but it was like $50.00. Very nice but I didn't know there was less expensive stuff that works just as good.

February 3, 2011, 11:41 PM	#8
Shootin Chef Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 121	back when my dad was letting me borrow his old duty .357 S&W revolver I bought a Hoppes #9 kit from a hunting store to clean it with and I still have it, but the rod isn't long enough to clean my rifles and my shotguns. The wooden box kit looks great for the price, I think I'll order that one and use it and my other kit to start building my own cleaning box. I appreciate the suggestions! Chef

February 6, 2011, 12:54 PM	#9
dtalley Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 36	I have a three bin (I guess that is what it is called) fishing tackle box. I buy individual pieces so I don't end up with brushes or such that I don't need. I have all my solvents in the bottom area and the places on the bins are labeled for the different calibers of brushes and swabs. I made a little rack for my one piece cleaning rods and I am currently puchasing a few of them. It is also big enough to hold a couple of tools and bore light and such.

February 13, 2011, 12:30 PM	#10
DrDragon Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: TX Posts: 31	I use both snakes and rods. I love how easy bore snakes are and perfect for a range bag to quickly run through before and after your shoot. Part of what I love about my firearms collection (a big part) is cleaning it, if you're the same, it's fun to just build yourself a kit out of pieces. I have yet to see a prepackaged kit that contains everything I'd want, and the individual pieces are relatively inexpensive. I use a Home Depot Homer box for my main home kit: Inside Range Kit PS: First time posting pics, how do I make them smaller?

February 13, 2011, 12:33 PM	#11
DrDragon Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: TX Posts: 31	Also, Hoppe's No. 9 and Ballistol fulfill ALL my needs for cleaning/protecting. The other cleaning products you see in my kit rarely, if ever, get used.