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Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:19 pm
by terryg
As I shoot more frequently - and therefore - clean more frequently. I am beginning to recognize the inadequacies and impracticalities of the various cleaning kits I have owned and seen throughout the years.

Every rod and every brush has it's little place and there is a little spot for a little bottle of fluid. But then you pick up more brushes as needed and bigger bottles of fluid etc.

I am thinking maybe a good size tackle box would be the right solution to consolidate all of this stuff. But I also figure most of you guys will have solved this issue yourselves a long time ago.

So I ask - what do you use? :bigear:

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:20 am
by Vecco
terryg wrote:
I am thinking maybe a good size tackle box would be the right solution to consolidate all of this stuff. But I also figure most of you guys will have solved this issue yourselves a long time ago.
I have a large tackle box for all my cleaning supplies and the work bench has even more ( large cans of CLP) and I have a bigger tackle box of gun smithing tools. Cleaning+tools = the amount of firearms you have.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:40 am
by USA1
Over the years I have accumulated multiple rods, brushes, mops, tips and tools which I kept in a dedicated small duffel bag.

Lately, I have simplified all of that into only what I need for my frequently fired guns and keep it in my range bag. That way I have everything I need while at the range or at home all in one bag.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:49 am
by MoJo
After over 50 years of shooting and cleaning firearms I've decided there are only three tools needed for routine cleaning/maintence of any handgun they are:

1. Boresnake of proper size
2. Toothbrush or gun cleaning brush
3. Squib rod or short cleaning rod.

Supplies needed:

1. Cleaning solvent
2. Gun oil/grease
3. Patches

This is all I use for routine cleaning For detail cleaning or cleaning rifles/shotguns it's a little different.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:46 am
by SQLGeek
AndyC wrote:Little $5 self-contained kit from Walmart:

Image
(not my pic)

I have a small plastic box where I keep patches, old toothbrush, etc.
Where does one get that fashionable snowman cleaning mat? :mrgreen:

I have my cleaning supplies stuffed into a surplus .50 ammo can. It is starting to get a little tight in there but I use the Otis system which keeps everything in a pretty small pouch so I still have some room. After using the Otis system, on my pistol, rifle and shotgun, I have no desire to use anything else for cleaning the bore.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:20 pm
by fulano
I use a caddy to hold my stuff and keep it handy. If it wont fit in the caddy, I don't currently need it.

All the left over accumulated stuff I have, I store it in a tub in the garage (I can't throw anything away). Keeps every thing at hand and lets it air-out after cleaning.

Here is a similar one to the one I got at Home Depot.
http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-Plastic ... B00021LQ0U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:37 pm
by MasterOfNone
SQLGeek wrote:
AndyC wrote:Little $5 self-contained kit from Walmart:

Image
(not my pic)

I have a small plastic box where I keep patches, old toothbrush, etc.
Where does one get that fashionable snowman cleaning mat? :mrgreen:
I suspect there's an angry daughter involved. :cryin

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:17 pm
by ghostrider
For range use, I have these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=168596" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:02 pm
by LikesShinyThings
For storing/organization of the home cleaning kit, I use a large (three-tier tray system) tackle box that I throw in everything plus the kitchen sink - cleaning rug, solvent, patches, rods, brushes, Q tips, etc, etc, etc. It holds all the various pieces I might possibly consider using in disassembly and cleaning of my guns. For range purposes, I use some of the mag pouches on my range bag and put solvent in one, oil in another, and a third holds a small rectangular plastic box (1.5"x1.5"x3" or so) that holds patches, bore brush, Qtips (hmmm, just remembered I don't have the rod to attach the brush to - need to get that back in the bag) - basically the bare necessities that might be needed for a quicky clean at the range.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:51 pm
by texasmusic
I've been through a bunch of different kits and OTIS is the one to keep. I have the 30 dollar pouch and it cleans all of my guns. I use it as the backbone of my kit which contains all the different solvents and lubes, CLP, lead cloth, patches, brushes, toothpicks and the like. The only thing I can't do with it is clean my revolver bores, for which I use a bore snake. The otis kit is the only non-expendable part of the whole box, which is just a toolbox from home depot with several compartments on the lid and the removable tray on the inside.

I have had (and destroyed/decommissioned) Hoppes, Mpro7, gamewinner and various other kits but the otis has stuck around.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:43 pm
by 10Shooter
I had been using a cheap $5 tackle box for years, just upgraded to an $8 tackle box.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:11 pm
by gigag04
I agree with the boresnake. I usually just use CLP and skip a harsh cleaner for simplicity. Toothbrushes are great.

Some other things I like are:

Q tips
Canned air (usefull for blowing excess oil either off or into a crevice)
Plastic picks
I use a simple toolbox to keep it all.

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:34 am
by C-dub
Mine is also pretty simple. I, too, like the the bore snakes. I have several different brushes and a short rod they attach to and a tooth brush type device with another little tiny brush on the opposite end.

However, I am frustrated with the patches. Is there nothing better? What about regular shop rags? Is there something magical about the patches?

Re: Cleaning Kit????

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:31 pm
by AJMag
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... =329211171" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I bought one of these cheap kits that has served well so far, with a few exceptions. The hopps brushes/accessories don't seem to fit the threads, but isn't a big deal yet, as all the original stuff is still in usefull condition. I like that each component has it's own little container to keep clean and keep oils away from my range bag. I only carry the brushes I need and the pouch containing the hand brushes and pick, along with the rod and leave the case at home. Don't do much rifle shooting, kind of need a rifle to do that, so I'm sure things will change when I get one.