My preference is for the older Outer’s with an aluminum rod with a generous, bulbous black handle which came in a clear vinyl pouch with a plastic patch loop and jag, with room for a silicon bronze brush.
I don’t like the new Outer’s version, nor the similar looking Hoppe’s.
I’m not opposed to a box kit with room for patches and bottles of oil and solvent.
This will be dedicated kit for .45s & .44s, so I won’t need a universal kit that handles multiple calibers.
So far, I haven’t seen one that floats my boat, so I thought I ask here for advice.
Any suggestions?
I just use a universal cleaning kit I picked up on amazon for like $60 it’s been sufficient, nothing that I am too excited about but I do like the rifle mount and the case with all the accessories is not that heavy.
I am not a fan of the aluminum rod.
You could build your own using Dewey rod and jags, brushes and swabs. My go to is brownells.com but I have seen them on Amazon.
Avid makes a dedicated pistol kit featuring the brass rod. It will take you past the 44 and 45.
While on brownells.com, look for a 1911 wrench which will make disassemble much easier unless your 1911 does not have the barrel bushing.
Good luck with your search.
I still use an 80’s era Army issue kit with a steel rod, bronze or copper brush, double ended nylon brush, CLP, and lots of patches. Hasn’t failed me yet.
Not sexy at all but at Walmarts I fund a dedicated, all inclusive handgun kit that comes in a clear plastic case with a blue bottom that’s about 6x3x1" (roughly, I’m going from memory). Don’t even know the brand but I bought one in 9mm/.38 and another in .45 and they both live in one of my shooting bags with a small squeeze bottle of CLP and work as advertised for about $15 each if I remember correctly. They are great for a quick and fairly thorough cleaning if I need it in the field and it can’t wait til I get back home to the bench with the $4.3 million in cleaning shite I’ve accumulated over the last few decades.
I have migrated to pull-through systems (Real Avid primarily) to get away from rods (when I need a rod my choice is graphite). I am anti “kits” because I end up paying for stuff I don’t need or use. I like the Breakthrough line of cleaning chemicals, and Battlebourne (Battleborn?) lubricants. By buying only what I need I can afford better kit. I sometimes defer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
For cleaning my 1911, I just use a Hoppe’s kit. Super basic but gets the job done. Got the rod, brush, solvent, patches, all that. I also picked up a Real Avid kit ‘cause it’s way more organized and comes in a nice case. For lube, I usually go with Break-Free CLP, but sometimes I’ll use the Wilson Combat stuff if I’m feelin’ fancy. Keeps my 1911 smooth and happy.
These are my #1. I’ll spend 3+ hours stripping (read: removing roll pins and disassembling) my handgun, cleaning it until a white glove won’t show dirt, and then applying multiple lubrication products to different parts depending on their function. And that’s after a 150 round range day.
It’s like meditation for me.
Plus if I’m gonna trust my life to it I might as well not run it with makeshift lapping compound inside it, right?
I should have been clearer. I own three types of handguns.
Vintage/Collectibles/“Cowboy” guns. Those get pampered, low round counts and tender gentle care. They don’t get put away dirty.
Precision (tight) guns, some like my 1911s are occasional carry pieces like my beloved Wilson Combat CQB. Those get regular use (200-300 round range sessions) followed by detailed cleaning/lube so they are ready to carry on demand as the spirit moves me.
Regular carried hardware like my Glock 48 and similar. I call them my disposable guns. They are one step above a hammer. They never get detailed stripping because I find that to be an invitation for issues since one spring inserted the wrong way might lock them up when I need it the most.
They get shot straight from my holster to burn whatever SD ammo I have loaded in them, then they get a few drop of Mobil 1 on the rails before a 500+ round sessions, after which they get field stripped, the internal gunk wiped off with what ever cleaner/ragI have handy, re-lubed with grease, reloaded with SD ammo and back into the holster. After “enough rounds” through them they get gifted, sold or otherwise replaced with my better newer alternative down the line. Basically disposable/consumable hardware.
