gringojosh
New member
What companies make the best rifle cleaning kits? Any recommendations?
best rifle cleaning kits
- Thread starter gringojosh
- Start date
I wouldn't get a kit. Get what you actually need.
A Dewey coated cleaning rod in the size and length you need for your rifle/s
A Jag and brush adapter for same. Bronze brushes for powder, synthetic for copper, if you use brushes.
Patches.
Solvent of your choice. I use Hoppes for powder, and Sweets for copper.
patches
oil
A chamber guide or bore guide if appropriate
A Dewey coated cleaning rod in the size and length you need for your rifle/s
A Jag and brush adapter for same. Bronze brushes for powder, synthetic for copper, if you use brushes.
Patches.
Solvent of your choice. I use Hoppes for powder, and Sweets for copper.
patches
oil
A chamber guide or bore guide if appropriate
warbirdlover
New member
Same here. I bought a really good one piece cleaning rod, a bore (chamber) guide, I use the right size brush and a jag and patches. I don't like the "loop" things. And then the really GOOD cleaning products like M-Pro7 and Eezox. A good gun oil (synthetic) also.
Smokey Joe
New member
NO KITS!!
Gringo Josh--A big +1 on the previous comments. You get what YOU need, not what the kit maker wants to sell you.
Coated 1-piece appropriate size cleaning rod is a Good Thing. The other posters have named the other stuff you actually NEED to clean guns.
Suggest that you make a case for the cleaning rod--A length of PVC pipe works great--put a cap at one end, and a screw-off cap at the other, and Voila! cheap protection for an expensive and rather fragile item.
I DO like the pull-through cleaning thingies--But not the ones with steel wire; get the nylon rope variety. They work nice for quickie cleaning @ the range. Agree that they are no substitute for a "real" cleaning.
I'd add a supply of rags for mopping up the inevitable drips of "extra" solvent and oil. All-cotton T-shirts are good; so are worn-out all-cotton washcloths. Those red "shop rags" that you see in auto repair places and such, are also very good, if you can find a source w/o paying rent for the rags.
For patches I buy shotgun sized patches, and cut them to the needed size with a pr of scissors. No need to buy an assortment of patch sizes. Get WOVEN, not knit patches, as the knit ones stretch and can pull off the cleaning jag.
For oil, I bought an $8 bottle of Mobil 1. Expensive for car oil, but a lifetime supply of very high-quality gun oil at a cheap price, compared to the cost of the little 4-oz. bottles. I dispense it from an oil can with an internal pump and a long snoot, obtainable @ most hardware stores.
For cleaning I have Sweets, Outers, a couple others that followed me home from here & there, and 2-3 cans of the foaming bore cleaner. For really tough jobs I have an abrasive cleaning paste, but haven't needed it since I bought it.
@ a gun sho I bo't a dental pick, which is handy for getting small bits of gunk out of small crevices. A worn-out toothbrush is handy, too.
And as I'm thinking about it, there is an endless variety of items which can be acquired under the general heading of "Gun Cleaning & Maintenance," which you will buy as you need them. Almost none of these will ever be found in a generalized gun cleaning kit.
Finally, you'll need something in which to contain all these items. I find that a medium-sized fishing tackle box suits nicely, and can be picked up cheap @ many rummage sales.
Good luck in designing and making up YOUR OWN cleaning kit!
Gringo Josh--A big +1 on the previous comments. You get what YOU need, not what the kit maker wants to sell you.
Coated 1-piece appropriate size cleaning rod is a Good Thing. The other posters have named the other stuff you actually NEED to clean guns.
Suggest that you make a case for the cleaning rod--A length of PVC pipe works great--put a cap at one end, and a screw-off cap at the other, and Voila! cheap protection for an expensive and rather fragile item.
I DO like the pull-through cleaning thingies--But not the ones with steel wire; get the nylon rope variety. They work nice for quickie cleaning @ the range. Agree that they are no substitute for a "real" cleaning.
I'd add a supply of rags for mopping up the inevitable drips of "extra" solvent and oil. All-cotton T-shirts are good; so are worn-out all-cotton washcloths. Those red "shop rags" that you see in auto repair places and such, are also very good, if you can find a source w/o paying rent for the rags.
For patches I buy shotgun sized patches, and cut them to the needed size with a pr of scissors. No need to buy an assortment of patch sizes. Get WOVEN, not knit patches, as the knit ones stretch and can pull off the cleaning jag.
For oil, I bought an $8 bottle of Mobil 1. Expensive for car oil, but a lifetime supply of very high-quality gun oil at a cheap price, compared to the cost of the little 4-oz. bottles. I dispense it from an oil can with an internal pump and a long snoot, obtainable @ most hardware stores.
For cleaning I have Sweets, Outers, a couple others that followed me home from here & there, and 2-3 cans of the foaming bore cleaner. For really tough jobs I have an abrasive cleaning paste, but haven't needed it since I bought it.
@ a gun sho I bo't a dental pick, which is handy for getting small bits of gunk out of small crevices. A worn-out toothbrush is handy, too.
And as I'm thinking about it, there is an endless variety of items which can be acquired under the general heading of "Gun Cleaning & Maintenance," which you will buy as you need them. Almost none of these will ever be found in a generalized gun cleaning kit.
Finally, you'll need something in which to contain all these items. I find that a medium-sized fishing tackle box suits nicely, and can be picked up cheap @ many rummage sales.
Good luck in designing and making up YOUR OWN cleaning kit!
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The only other think I would add, is a stand/cradle of some sort. There are a number of them on the market, some with storage boxes, some without, something like this in my opinion is pretty much perfect:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/134140/tipton-range-box-with-empty-universal-cleaning-kit
It would also be pretty easy to make one from some scrap lumber and a jigsaw.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/134140/tipton-range-box-with-empty-universal-cleaning-kit
It would also be pretty easy to make one from some scrap lumber and a jigsaw.
Smokey Joe
New member
Cleaning stand...
I use a knock-off Chinese copy of the B&D Workmate for cleaning. Got it @ Harbor Freight. Put a length of hot-water-pipe insulation along each jaw for padding, and it holds any gun--or bbl--or stock--or whatever, like a vise. It IS cheapo, compared to the "real" Workmate, but sturdy enough for this application.
I use a knock-off Chinese copy of the B&D Workmate for cleaning. Got it @ Harbor Freight. Put a length of hot-water-pipe insulation along each jaw for padding, and it holds any gun--or bbl--or stock--or whatever, like a vise. It IS cheapo, compared to the "real" Workmate, but sturdy enough for this application.
thedaddycat
New member
The red shop rags are commonly available at auto parts stores and sometimes WalMart and like stores. Old tube socks make good rags, too.
An old toothbrush with the bristles cut off short makes a good "extra stiff" cleaning brush. Use a set of diagonals (wire cutters) to get the bristles fairly even.
I like the idea of using Mobil 1, even though I have plenty of gun oil right now. Save your old 4 oz. bottle and just put the Mobil 1 in it when you use the last of the gun oil up.
Brushes, I have them in nylon, phosphor-bronze, and spiral wound, along with both jags and loop patch holders. I've had several kits over the years and just got a couple more from my dad. I guess it's time to go through everything and update...
Assorted brushes and stuff.
Solvents, cleaners, and other gun care products.
Uncle Sam's idea of a cleaning kit.
An old toothbrush with the bristles cut off short makes a good "extra stiff" cleaning brush. Use a set of diagonals (wire cutters) to get the bristles fairly even.
I like the idea of using Mobil 1, even though I have plenty of gun oil right now. Save your old 4 oz. bottle and just put the Mobil 1 in it when you use the last of the gun oil up.
Brushes, I have them in nylon, phosphor-bronze, and spiral wound, along with both jags and loop patch holders. I've had several kits over the years and just got a couple more from my dad. I guess it's time to go through everything and update...
Assorted brushes and stuff.
Solvents, cleaners, and other gun care products.
Uncle Sam's idea of a cleaning kit.
For the cleaning rod, my advice is to skip the Dewey and go with a Tipton. I've had both, and the Tipton blows the doors off of the Dewey in every way.
That said, the rest of the advice seems good.
As for oil, and cleaning solvents, there are many good ones out there and everyone has an opinion on what works best. I still undecided on what I like best for the oil. I've never used car oil, but have used several gun oils. I may need to try car oil and see how I like it.
For cleaning solvents though, I really like the Wipe Out products. I'm using their liquid Patch Out, but I've heard a lot of great things about their foaming bore cleaner as well. It does a great job at removing copper and getting the gun clean. I can't say it's the best out there because I haven't used everything out there, but it's by far the best product I've used.
That said, the rest of the advice seems good.
As for oil, and cleaning solvents, there are many good ones out there and everyone has an opinion on what works best. I still undecided on what I like best for the oil. I've never used car oil, but have used several gun oils. I may need to try car oil and see how I like it.
For cleaning solvents though, I really like the Wipe Out products. I'm using their liquid Patch Out, but I've heard a lot of great things about their foaming bore cleaner as well. It does a great job at removing copper and getting the gun clean. I can't say it's the best out there because I haven't used everything out there, but it's by far the best product I've used.
Flapjack23
New member
Im not sure if someone mentioned it yet, throw a handful of Q-Tips in the box too. They work great for cleaning and lubing small hard to reach areas.
Great advice on here. The kit idea would potentially offer savings over buying the individual components. However, I recommend stronger rods than dept. store kits offer-by buying them individually + various solvents in larger sizes.
If you're going to buy a kit at this time, start adding to it with a variety of goods that will better complete the setup, or add the brushes calibers, etc. Then, move away from this type of kit.
If you're going to buy a kit at this time, start adding to it with a variety of goods that will better complete the setup, or add the brushes calibers, etc. Then, move away from this type of kit.
I agree with Fusion on the Tipton cleaning rods, and ditto the Q-tips too! I do like the pull-through Hoppe's Bore Snake for cleaning in the field, but it's not enough for the real cleaning.
I also love Birchwood Casey's gun scrubber for getting the crud out of hard to reach areas.
I also love Birchwood Casey's gun scrubber for getting the crud out of hard to reach areas.
Smokey Joe
New member
More cleaning, more money...
Hibby said,
The exact same thing comes packaged as Non-chlorinated Brake Cleaner, for less of your hard-earned $$, and is available @ any auto supply store, or the auto department of the larger sell-'em-cheap chain stores. The brand matters not a whit--It's all the same stuff.
As I understand it, this is the same as BC Gun Scrubber, and it does do a fine job of removing grease, cosmoline, and general crud. It is no good at all for removing copper or lead from a bore, but we have other products for that.
A caveat: The fumes from Gun Scrubber or from N-C Brake Cleaner are toxic. Use it indoors only with very good ventilation, or take it and the cruddy parts outside and spray 'em down, and let 'em dry before bringing back inside. The stuff evaporates really quick, leaves no residue.
I too use Q-tips. Bo't a box of 500--cheaper in bulk--and the supply just lives on my workbench. They're nice for lots of applications.
Hibby said,
And I have to agree that BC Gun Scrubber is great for dissolving grease and carrying away crud, but, Gee Whillikers, it is expensive.
The exact same thing comes packaged as Non-chlorinated Brake Cleaner, for less of your hard-earned $$, and is available @ any auto supply store, or the auto department of the larger sell-'em-cheap chain stores. The brand matters not a whit--It's all the same stuff.
As I understand it, this is the same as BC Gun Scrubber, and it does do a fine job of removing grease, cosmoline, and general crud. It is no good at all for removing copper or lead from a bore, but we have other products for that.
A caveat: The fumes from Gun Scrubber or from N-C Brake Cleaner are toxic. Use it indoors only with very good ventilation, or take it and the cruddy parts outside and spray 'em down, and let 'em dry before bringing back inside. The stuff evaporates really quick, leaves no residue.
I too use Q-tips. Bo't a box of 500--cheaper in bulk--and the supply just lives on my workbench. They're nice for lots of applications.
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RE: Q-Tips, go to your local drug store and get a couple packs of "Cotton Applicators" AKA a 6" wooden handled q-tip.
Like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Applicators-Puritan-Non-Sterile/dp/B000GULSL4
Never had any luck with Q-tips, I found them too short, and the stick too bendy.
Applicators cost more, but are worth it in my opinion.
Like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Applicators-Puritan-Non-Sterile/dp/B000GULSL4
Never had any luck with Q-tips, I found them too short, and the stick too bendy.
Applicators cost more, but are worth it in my opinion.
Those flat inexpensive kits offer sideways storage, and leaking containers. Yikes.
My older cotton shirts, and some cotton T-shirts (or second hand store T's at sale price of $1) make excellent patches. Take the scissors, and you've cut one up in a few minutes during a commercial break of your TV show, or game.
Homemade cotton patches, write that down! Recycle!
My older cotton shirts, and some cotton T-shirts (or second hand store T's at sale price of $1) make excellent patches. Take the scissors, and you've cut one up in a few minutes during a commercial break of your TV show, or game.
Homemade cotton patches, write that down! Recycle!
Take a look at www.proshotproducts.com I have their steal pistol rods, a bit pricey, but super quality. They also offer coated rods as well.
They are also sold by www.natchezss.com and www.midwayusa.com. and other online and brick and mortar retailers.
Hope this helps.
They are also sold by www.natchezss.com and www.midwayusa.com. and other online and brick and mortar retailers.
Hope this helps.
Fusion said:
Curious about this statement. A cleaning rod is not all that complicated, and the Dewey is pretty damn good. When I got mine they were the only game in town. It is a handle, with some bearings, a coated steel rod with a threaded end.
How exactly is the Tipton better?
I've never had any trouble with Dewey coated rods, but I wipe them down and don't let them get scratched up so they don't collect dirt.
However, that is apparently one of the things the carbon-fiber rods are supposed to be better at -
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/342014/tipton-deluxe-1-piece-cleaning-rod-22-to-26-caliber-36-carbon-fiber-8-x-32-thread
...These rods are chemical resistant, will not scratch the bore like a steel rod can and will not embed like a coated rod can.
However, that is apparently one of the things the carbon-fiber rods are supposed to be better at -
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/342014/tipton-deluxe-1-piece-cleaning-rod-22-to-26-caliber-36-carbon-fiber-8-x-32-thread
...These rods are chemical resistant, will not scratch the bore like a steel rod can and will not embed like a coated rod can.
