Building Ultimate Cleaning kit?

[gibson_es]

I have 4 different cleaning kits, and have came to the realization, that none of them come with all great parts. some better then others, but im not completely satisfied with any of them. im looking to, piece by piece, build my own kit with quality parts and want to see what your recommendations are

I have always used one cleaning rod, one of those 3-ish piece rods that are "universal" for all calibers. and I have decided to go with Dewey one piece coated rods, that are specific to the bullet diameter of the rifles ( such as a rod for 30 cal rifles that i can use in both 30-06 and 30-30 rifles).

But i am not sure about for shotguns and handguns and my .22 rifles. i could go with more Dewey rods, or just go with bore snakes (never used one i have just read alot of good reviews and seen a lot of folks on here talk about them)

also, for Jags, at least one of my kits has brass jags, no particular brand that i know of. but i am seeing a lot of options out there, theres brass jags from different brands, then i found these O-Ring Jags that are a bit pricey, but i have to be in no hurry so its not a big deal ($10 a jag) that i dont see a lot of information on, but the few threads and reviews i have found have been good. of coarse, if i choose to use a bore snake, i dont need these if i understand there operation correctly.

and theres tons of other parts as well that i could use some guidence on for better quality. Im not trying to be budget friendly, unless its something crazy. at one piece at a time its an easier pill to swollow.

and lastly, organization, my "big shot" kit (its the one that looks like a big shotshell if you have ever seen those) i love for its orginization. all the pieces screw down in there designated spot. the enter kit can be turned upside and everything stays. i like this system, but dont want to mix my DIY kit with this one so i would need a seperate container.

also, for cleaners. i have always just used hoppes #9 and there gun oil. i cant say i am a fan of there oil, just never got around to trying much else (other then rem oil when i first started)

I am looking at frog lube or gunzilla. but i dont know if these are to be used just as an oil, thus still needing a good cleaning agent first, or an all-in-one type deal. i am trying to read up on them now, but feel free to input.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Stuff I use or like .......

Right now some of the "tools" & gun care products I own/use include;
A lime green GTUL, for disassembly of the Glock 21/20 magazines, a GI-armorer nylon toothbrush, Hoppes #9 synthetic bore solvent, FrogLube CLP: 4oz, Ballistol(06 oz spray can, almost out), Glock mag-brush/armorer tool, Kleen-Bore mag cleaner(cotton swab-.45acp/10mm), old rags/cloths.
I plan to buy a new Otis Ripcord .45acp or Hoppes Bore Snake Viper & a new gunsmith/cleaner mat.
In the old days, I would wear nitrile medical gloves, www.galls.com . Frog-Lube & Ballistol are non toxic/CFC free so it's not so bad to clean or service weapons bare handed but to wear medical gloves isn't a bad idea for powder/fumes/carbon/grit/etc.

Here are a few good websites & firms to look at: www.froglube.com www.mpro7.com www.gunzilla.us www.italiangungrease.com www.brownells.com www.eezox.com www.natchezss.com www.grafs.com www.ballistol.com www.nra.org www.midwayusa.com www.glockstore.com .
Rusty

 

[Rembrandt]

Tend to like things well organized, probably why I like the Kleen-Bore kits found years ago. Not sure they are still available, but have just about everything for every caliber in the collection.

 

[JRadice45]

You are on the right track with dewey rods. I would use the dewey jags as well. Brownells double tuff bore brushes are great, especially when it concerns removing heavy lead fouling. Patches go with brownells cotton. I recently tried shooters choice aqua clean bore solvent and aqua clean general purpose solvent. They are good for normal cleaning. For heavily fouled bores or for copper removal i recommend sweets 7.62 bore solvent all the way!

Oil is dependent on the type of firearm but for pistols i use shooters choice fp10 or slip 2000 ewl. For semi auto rifles slip 2000 ewl. For bolt rifles shooters choice grease (light) on locking lugs and oil the rest.

Bore snakes are ok for a quick get the crap out of the bore if you cant devote time to a thorough cleaning but they dont get nearly as much out as a traditional cleaning, i dont care what the package says.

 

[RAT807]

I like the Kleen Bore kits also. But you still need nylon brushes, Chamber brushes, Tipton jag kit, bore guide, copper remover (sweets 7.62), solvent (several good choices), lube (oil and greese) and a good cleaning rod, or two. I have the carbon fiber Tipton rods. I'd hate to clean an AR barrel with a bore snake....

 

[RustyShackelford]

Pipe cleaners

I keep missing the chance to buy a few pipe cleaners to get the rails & tiny bits of my Glock. I use cotton swabs(Q tips) but as James Yeager of Tactical Response says; the pipe cleaners are better because they won't drag strands of cotton or bits of cotton in the firearm.

Some gun owners use cans of air to spray out the excess CLP or oil which isn't a bad idea.

 

[oneounceload]

Boresnakes are OK for a quick job, not a thorough one. If you get one for a .22, do yourself a favor and tie a piece of paracord to the loop on the end so that WHEN the pull through cord breaks and the entire snake is in your barrel, you'll have a way top remove it. The other issue with a boresnake, just like a TICO Tool, is that once it gets dirty -and you don't clean it - you're putting all that old gunk and crap right back in your barrel. Not TOO bad for a chrome-lined shotgun barrel, but it can be hell on rifling

For shotgun, I like a good rod without a handle that I can chuck into my cordless drill. After some solvent, a patch wrapped around the brush in the drill gets it clean yesterday.

 

[Seabeeken]

Bore Tech

Gibson,
I also use the Dewey coated rods and they work great. As for organizing cleaning equipment, I use the good ole tackle box. There is enough compartments in it to store jags and brushes by caliber. Patches in the bottom along with bore guides. Over the years Ive tried most all of the cleaners. I just recently tried Bore Tech Eliminator and fell in love with the stuff. It removes fouling and copper FAST. Even faster than Montana Extreme. I found that I had to use their proof positive jags or other brand aluminum jags and nylon brushes. The brass ones would turn blue indicating copper present where there was none. I'm going to try it on some brass too. It sure cleans and shines the brass jags so why not cases. It is supposed to be environmentally safe and there is no harsh smell like other cleaners. No, I dont work for Bore Tech. It cleans my bores in 6 - 8 patches compared to 20-30 using montana extreme and a lot of brushing.