recommend a .357/.38 revolver gun cleaning kit

Personally, I use this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/877312/kleen-bore-pockit-pistol-cleaning-kit-38-357-9mm-caliber

You'll still have to buy a solvent and lube like Hoppes 9 and Hoppes Lube, or some combo product like CLP or Ballistol (in that case, you'll only need one product instead of two).

You'll also need to buy patches, which you can buy online anywhere or at your local Dicks or Walmart.

I do not recommend buying the Hoppes kits available commonly at Walmart or whatever. While they work, they typically include a long rod for rifles. These are frustrating to use on shorter handgun barrels.

Another kit I'd recommend is the Otis kit. It's more expensive, but it allows you to pull the patches and brushes through from the breech instead of shoving them down the muzzle (which can damage the crown of the barrel).

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/467893/otis-9mm-to-45-caliber-professional-pistol-cleaning-system

So, there you go: a cheap option and a more expensive option.

I'd also pick up a bore snake. They're handy for quick cleaning, and I run one down my barrel a couple times before I use a brush. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/58...er-pistol-38-caliber-9mm?cm_vc=ProductFinding
 
I've never bought a "kit".../ too many accessories in a "kit" that kind of look useless.....so I've just accumulated:

A good pistol length cleaning rod ( I like one piece / coated rods ) I think they're vinyl or Teflon coated..not sure what brand. But I like them with larger handles vs smaller handles. I would not use uncoated steel rods.

a bore brush...( I prefer bronze bristle brushes over nylon) Otis is a good brand.

solvent of your choice ( I like Shooter's Choice)...but there are lots of them out there now...even Hoppe's ...Gun Scrubber, GunSlick, Tetra...and on and on.. For a spot that won't come out of a bore...I use Barnes CR-10 ..copper remover...

a few patches ( I use 12ga patches for most everything - you can cut them with scissors - or just put the rod at one side, and use them in everything from 9mm - .357 mag ---.44 mag ---and 12 ga...) ....cotton flannel is what I buy..../ and I only use a couple of patches per gun - and 3 or 4 paper towels.

and some kind of lube ( I like Break Free CLP ).../ where I want a lighter oil, like on a firing pin spring, I will use a spray can of Rig Oil #2. If I want to use grease...I'll use Rig Universal Grease...or Wilson Ultima Lube...( I've tried a lot of other stuff ...and keep coming back to these !
--------------
I also like "Bore Snakes" ...they make a really good product / especially for revolvers, where you really shouldn't clean from the muzzle end of the barrel. I use the same chemicals....bore snake just replaces the rod and brush.
------------
I have a cleaning mat on my workbench...( if you don't want a mat - then use an old bathtowel )...and I keep a small 4" X 6" box on the side of the bench....with patches, some Q tips, couple of old tooth brushes, bushing wrench.....cleaning stuff, lube and oil stays in another box...so its not just scattered all over / if I need that bench area for something else, I could put the boxes on a shelf / pickup mat...( but I don't )...
 
Last edited:
I'm with BigJimP....No need to buy a whole kit. You'll only use a few of the things in there anyway. The other stuff is just fluff.

A cleaning rod, jag, brush, patches, solvent and oil are all you need to get the job done.
 
I'm going to try one of those all-in-one snakes next round. For light cleaning, it looks like it takes care of the basic crud in the bore.
 
Q-Tips and old T-Shirts are also essentials. :)

Then anything you might want to use if you have wood grips. I normally use Finish Feeder polish since it is what I use on my antique wood cabinet clock cases.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top