Today I’ve got something really important to share…
A Complete Guide To Finding (& Using) A Gun Cleaning Kits
Because keeping your firearms clean should NEVER BE a matter of choice.
Filthy firearms are dangerous, irresponsible, and inaccurate.
But with so many kits on the market finding the best gun cleaning kits can be a challenge.
TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE… ↓(click to jump)
- Best Gun Cleaning Kits
- Best Gun Cleaning Features
- Gun Cleaning – Start To Finish
- A Firearm Cleaning Station
- Dispelling Gun Cleaning Myths
Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?
Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.Best Gun Cleaning Kits On The Market Today
Nowadays, there are hundreds of kits on the market.
And more choice is good, right?
Yes and no, because it’s overwhelming to sift through them all.
All the different models, varieties, and prices.
We solve this issue by scouring the internet, finding the cream of the crop.
The kits worth picking up to care for your firearms.
Portable Kits
If you like cleaning immediately after use, invest in a portable kit.
But taking your cleaning kit with you means every ounce matters…
This is one of the best gun cleaning kits you can find when it comes to affordable, packable, and versatility.
It functions to clean and service .22, .357, 9mm, .38, .40, .44, and .45 caliber handguns. It comes with the following:
- 2-part 9” cleaning rod with a swivel tip
- several wire brushes for the different calibers
- 50 cleaning patches
- a compact weather-resistant travel case
This kit is designed to make cleaning your gun easier and more convenient than ever before.
No matter where you are, what you are doing, or how dirty your gun is, this kit has what you need to clean your pistols.
↓ Real Avid Cleaning Kit
The HOPPE's Elite Gun Care Kit is highly rated and extremely portable.
It comes with ALL the following:
- Five assorted bore brushes are included
- Lockable gun case
- One foam gun pad
- One multi-section cleaning rod with a Folding handle
- One lint-free gun cloth
- Contains Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner and Hoppe's Elite Gun Oil with T3 in convenient single-use pillow packs
All at a very affordable price point.
↓ Hoppe’s Cleaning Kit Unboxing
The Otis Tactical Cleaning Kit works for all rifles/pistols/shotguns. It uses either 2” & 3” cotton patches.
This kit includes six bronze bore brushes with the brush size marked on each brush stem (.22/.223, .270, .30/.308/30-06/30-30, .38/9mm, .45 cal, 12 ga).
Use the 8” or 30” aircraft-grade flex cables and thread connectors for proper muzzle cleaning.
The 34” aircraft grade cable (5-40 thread) with slotted tip is small enough to clean .17 caliber firearms.
Small & large obstructions are removed with ease, such as mud, snow, and stuck casings. The Otis is considered by many to be the best gun cleaning kit around. Why? Because of its ideal portability and versatility.
↓ OTIS Shot Gun Cleaning Kit Review
The Real Avid Gun Boss Pro Kit helps you stay organized and protect your firearms.
This kit has labeled storage to help you find your brushes, jags, and mops. It also has a handy kickstand to display the tools at an angle.
The cleaning rod is made of brass so that it won’t damage the barrel. The rods screw together with a tight fit.
No adapters are needed because all the brushes, jags, mops, and slotted tips fit the rods.
Unlike most kits, the slotted tips and jags are tough and flexible by being made of nylon. This gun cleaning kit has 2 slotted tips and .22 to .45 cal jags.
It also has a tap hammer surface for punching pins, a rotating receiver for cleaning rifling, and a fixed receiver for detail cleaning.
↓ Real Avid Gun Boss Pro Universal Gun Cleaning Kit
Full-Service Kits
Maybe you’d prefer to clean your firearms in a workshop.
If this sounds like you, get one of these full-service kits:
This is an excellent all-in-one universal kit.
Use it to clean your shotguns, rifles, and pistols.
It includes a compact case designed to keep you organized. Plus, it has two spaces available for your choice of gun oil and solvents.
This kit only uses quality materials, no cheap plastics. All the slotted tips and cleaning jags are made of brass and nylon plastic.
This comprehensive kit includes the following:
- 3 solid brass rods for 17-270 caliber rifles
- 3 solid brass rods for 30 caliber rifles, pistols, shotguns, and muzzleloaders
- 14 brushes
- 9 mops
- 12 spear-pointed jags
- 1 black power jag
- 4 slotted patch loops
- 3 utility brushes
- 3 muzzle guards
- accessory adapters
- 50 - 3×1 1/2" cleaning patches
- 50 - 3×3" cleaning patches
- 4 polishing cloths
↓ Gloryfire Review
The Otis Technologies FG-1000 Elite Cleaning System is a comprehensive gun cleaning kit for all types of firearms, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
The kit includes cleaning tools and chemicals to ensure your firearm remains pristine.
One of the main features of this kit is the Memory-Flex cleaning rods, which are made from high-quality materials and are designed to flex and bend to follow the contours of your firearm's bore.
This makes it easier to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your gun and ensures that the cleaning rods won't damage your firearm's bore.
The kit also includes a variety of brushes, jags, and mops to clean different types of firearms and calibers.
Overall, customer reviews of the Otis Technologies FG-1000 Elite Cleaning System are positive, with many users praising the quality of the cleaning tools and chemicals. However, some users have noted that the kit can be a bit expensive and that it may not be necessary for casual gun owners who don't shoot their firearms frequently.
↓ Otis Elite Cleaning System
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Best Gun Cleaning Kit Features To Look For
As with any survival tool, there are some qualities you must have.
This goes for your kits as well.
- Some cleaning kits are bulky.
- Some are heavy.
- Others are oddly shaped and nearly impossible to pack into a hunting pack or survival backpack.
Luckily, this is not a new problem.
Soldiers have had to use “field cleaning kits” for as long as guns have been around.
When your life depends on your firearm, you damn sure better keep it clean.
You need something sleek, efficient, packable, and tough.
Quality
Yes, it seems obvious.
But you should get the highest quality gun cleaning kit you can afford.
I have broken my fair share of cheap gun-cleaning tools.
And while it’s not that big of a deal at home, in survival or combat, you’ll only have one kit.
And if yours breaks in the middle of nowhere….
Well…you’ll wish you’d spent an extra bucks on a better kit.
Versatility
Guns come in all different shapes, sizes, and calibers.
And, naturally, gun cleaning kits do as well.
There are different kits for different calibers.
There are various kits for pistols, rifles, and shotguns.
Versatility is critical because it lets you clean several guns with the same tools.
Portability
You can buy a vast 100-piece cleaning kit.
It’ll be versatile and comprehensive.
But it will also be cumbersome when it comes to survival.
You can’t pack something like that in a bug-out bag.
So it may not serve you well in a survival scenario.
So long as you don’t sacrifice quality or versatility for size.
It’s a delicate balance but an important one.
The Basic Components
A good cleaning kit should include essential components.
Any kit without ALL the following parts is an incomplete one:
- A cleaning rod
- Gun oil or lubricant
- Gun cleaning solvent
- Nylon Brushes| bore snake
- Cleaning Patches
- Nylon Cleaning Brush
- Cotton swabs
How To Clean A Gun – Start To Finish
Cleaning your firearms is NOT optional.
Because it keeps your firearms:
- rust-free
- makes them function better
- makes guns last longer
- and gives you an understanding of how your firearm works
And by cleaning your weapons, you’ll get to know them better.
This helps you in the future with troubleshooting.
That’s why we have included the following step-by-step firearm cleaning guide:
↓ Gunsmithing: Proper Rifle Cleaning Techniques
1. UNLOAD THE GUN!
This is undoubtedly the most critical measure.
You must triple-check this before cleaning your firearm.
Take the magazine off, and cock the gun several times.
This is to ensure no stray rounds are hiding in the chamber.
After you’ve done that, double-check the chamber to ensure there is nothing in there.
2. Disassemble the gun
For pistols, this usually means breaking it down into the core components:
- barrel
- slide
- a guide rod
- frame
- magazine
You typically don’t need to field strip your gun to clean it properly.
However, field stripping will increase your understanding of how your firearm works.
↓ How To Clean A Handgun
3. Prep your cleaning area.
You do not want to get gun oil and lube everywhere.
Because it stains things easily and permanently.
Layout some cardboard or a few sheets of newspaper.
Ensure the cleaning space is also well-ventilated, as some chemicals can be toxic.
4. Clean the barrel with cleaning patches.
Using the rod and gun patches, push a solvent-soaked cleaning patch through the barrel.
Always try to work from the back of the barrel toward the front.
When the patch exits out the muzzle, remove it and pull the empty rod back through.
5. Alternate cleaning patches with bore brushes.
To achieve maximum cleanliness, alternate the use of cleaning swabs with the bore brushes.
This process scrubs gunk off the inside of the barrel and loosens it up.
And for any ‘brush-a-phobes’ out there, you won’t damage your barrel with brushes.
See the video below for proof:
↓ OH NO! I ruined my barrel with a bronze brush!
6. Lube the barrel up!
Once you can run a cleaning swab through the barrel and it comes out clean, you can move on to lubrication.
Put a few drops of gun oil onto the cotton mop.
And run it through the barrel with the cleaning rod.
You only need a light layer of lubricant on the inside of the barrel; do not get carried away.
7. Brush the action with a cleaning solvent, then lubricate.
Using your utility brush, clean all moving parts of the action down with solvent until they are pristeen.
When finished, dry the action with a paper towel and then apply lubrication.
Again:
You only need a light layer.
8. Reassemble the gun, and wipe the exterior down.
Using a luster cloth.
Removing carbon buildup, debris or smudges from the outside of the gun.
Polish it until it shines like new!
You should clean your gun after every use.
Especially after a trip to the range where you have been firing lots of ammo.
The explosions leaves residue and sediment inside the barrel.
These residues can cause severe problems if left unaddressed.
Even if you only fire once, you should clean your gun afterward.
It’s a good habit to build.
↓ Gun Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Building A Gun Cleaning Station
Of course, if you’re a gun enthusiast, build yourself a full-fledged Gunsmithing station:
↓ Gun Workbench | Gunsmithing & Cleaning Station
Dispelling The 5 Most Common Gun Cleaning Myths…
Let’s set the record straight and dispels a few common myths about gun cleaning.
These myths have been floating around the shooting community for a while…
And it’s beyond time to bust them once and for all.
Myth #1: “One Size Fits All” Now
Some folks think they can buy a universal gun cleaning kit and it will work for every firearm they own.
That’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
Different guns have different needs, and a one-size-fits-all kit won’t cut it for ALL firearms.
It’s much better to get specialized tools and brushes for each firearm type you own.
Myth #2: “More Chemicals, Better Cleaning”
Some folks believe using more cleaning chemicals provides a better clean.
That’s just plain wrong!
Using excessive solvents and lubricants can actually cause more problems.
It can attract more dirt and debris, leading to malfunctions.
Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products and use them sparingly for the best results.
Myth #3: “Cleaning Too Often Is Harmful”
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your firearm in top shape.
Neglecting it can lead to corrosion and fouling, which will actually harm your gun.
So, clean it regularly, and do it right.
Myth #4: “You Don’t Need a Gun Cleaning Mat”
A proper gun cleaning mat isn’t just for show.
It helps protect your gun and your work area.
It provides cushioning, keeps solvents from soaking into your table, and helps you stay organized.
So, get yourself a good mat!
Myth #5: “Cleaning From Muzzle to Breech Is Fine”
This myth has caused more harm than you can imagine.
Some folks clean their guns from the muzzle, pushing the rod and brush down the barrel.
This can damage the crown and rifling at the muzzle, affecting accuracy.
Always clean your guns from breech to muzzle to protect those vital components.
Final Thoughts
When IT hits the fan, you must be armed.
No matter the circumstances:
- be it a wildfire that forces you out of your home
- flooding, hurricanes, or tornadoes
- the government collapses, and anarchy ensues
- zombie corpses rise from their graves to plague humanity
The bottom line is:
A firearm is an essential piece of survival gear to own.
Cleaning your gun is every bit as important as protecting it from the elements and keeping it accurate:
↓ Cleaning for Accuracy by Ron Spomer
A responsible gun owner cleans his gun for fun because they enjoy doing it.
And honestly, it can be therapeutic and meditative.
To take your gun apart, scrub off the crap, and make sure it looks shiny and new.
That way, it’s 100% ready for next time.
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