I’m wondering if i should buy a ready made cleaning kit? Are they good? Especially ones on Amazon? Is there one you recommend?
it all depends???
Quality cleaning kits are pretty cheap. Don’t buy Chinese crap.
What kind of cleaning are you trying to do…and on what?
9mm… I guess just basic cleaning and lubricating after some range shooting sessions. I’m new to this so just trying to figure out what I need to do, what I need to do it, and how to do it lol
Quality tools produce quality results. Weapons cleaning is critical for proper operation and longevity. Don’t buy cheap cleaning tools.
As for what to buy, if you’re only going to shoot 9mm, then get 9mm brushes, or a 9mm ripcord. If you think you might acquire other calibers in the future, buy a quality kit.
The more information you can give us about what you know about cleaning kits the better we can tackle what you know and give better feedback.
Otis cleaning kit or Hoppes9 cleaning kit. Basic models.
I also use Avid Bore Boss.
All these above can be bought either on manufacturer’s website or Amazon.
Do not buy no-name products. You save few $$$ but may lose quality of your firearm…
It will invariably be suggested that you completely clean and lube every time you shoot…but firearms aren’t nearly this delicate. (Just like cars don’t need 3k or 5k oil changes.)
I run a soft bore snake (hoppe’s) through every time I shoot them, but only disassemble/lube after many thousands of rounds. Each to their own. I don’t want shooting to be something that I won’t do because I don’t want to waste time cleaning.
Do a search of this forum and you’ll find all the info that you need as this has been asked many times.
I field strip and clean my handguns after every visit to the range. I start the cleaning Clenzoil Saturated Wipes. I completely wipe as much as I can of the outside barrel, slide, and frame. I then use Seal CLP (nontoxic) with Q-tips to clean the hard to access parts of the gun and recover parts of the gun done prior with the wipes. I have 9mms and use Hoppes Gun Oil to clean the inside of the barrel (this is the only toxic material I use). Often kits come with the necessary rod and brush along with soft cotton wipes. I also cut thin strips of old t-shirts to use as wipes when the soft cotton wipes run low. I also use a 9mm shake on the bore and spread a little Hoppes in it. I highly recommend getting microfiber cloths, a cleaning mat and even some cardboard to protect the cleaning area. The hardest things to clean are the magazines. A real pain. I wipe them with a cloth each time but don’t always take them apart to clean the spring and inside.
Hope that helps
I suggest going to your LGS so you can pick and choose exactly what you need.
Sure you’ll get a lot better answers than mine. Guess it can also depend on if it’s a hand gun vs long gun (rifle/shot gun).
Personally, I’d start with a “small” kit which offers gun cleaning bristles/brushes which fit the barrel of your caliber. Those brushes last a long time.
Build upon that - one item at a time:
Cleaning rods
Various types of rod tips
Dry cloth patches of various sizes, some smooth/soft, some have texture on one or both sides for scrubbing
Cleaning solution
Oil
Bore snake cords to run thru the barrel (but size must fit your barrel)
Cotton swabs - some are heavy duty made for firearm cleaning (but size must fit your barrel)
Some may also tailor to their needs; I added an old used tooth brush, use news papers and paper towels, disposable gloves, masks. Being careful no to lose any small parts and always keep ammo separate, following safety rules.
For handguns, I like a cleaning rod with a patch loop, jag, and silicon bronze brush for the attachment s(brushes don’t last forever so pick up a spare.)
I’d invest i good patches if I can afford them or cut up an old shirt if I can’t.
An old tooth brush is handy, as is a well laundered cotton baby diaper (they don’t leave lint behind)
A bore snake is nice for revolvers when you can’t run a rod from the breach end.
Round it out with small bottles of oil, and solvent
If you’re into thorough disassembly pick up a bar mat to arrest any small parts trying to sneak out, and of course something to protect your kitchen table, and something to keep it all together like an old cigar box, shoebox or a GI ammo can
Also, a cleaning matt is nice. If you’re married, your spouse will appreciate you not getting Hoppe’s #9 on the dining room table.
And the cleaner eats shoe/slipper soles…all of them.
I started out with Hoppes, that stuff cleaned so well, but I spilled it once and having limited living space, the scent was so powerful, I ended up switching to a low odor brand.
Oh yes, beware of those parches which have that stubborn lint.
I imagine for newbies as time goes on they will build their own unique kit. Occasionally I top it off with a wax “Renaissance Wax Polish”, external parts only of course.
I’ll look for a box /case though, I need to organize it better.
I’ve bought a couple. They can be nice.
I usually just need 9mm brush, rod to feed patches. I like to cut patches from t shirts but honestly I usually just buy them pre made. I like large Q-tips. All that with some Break Free CLP.
I have used plastic picks as well.
I buy a lot of brushes because I tend to misplace the darn things.
That’s a big one. No ammo in the same room you are working on your firearms. Can’t have an NG when there is no ammo. Always unload and store ammo in another room first, and verify more than once that the firearm(s) is clear, and verify again before beginning cleaning. One can never be too safe.
That’s a good tool, too. I also use q-tips, and toothpicks come in handy, too.
Okay, now I am really curious about what would be flagged on a post about cleaning kits. ![]()
Really!!! Might have been
something about cleaning and lubricating his PISTOL!!!
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being naughty are we???
cool my kinda people!!!
