Best Gun Cleaning Kits to Keep Handy
1. Brownells Extreme Duty Cleaning Kit - Editor's Pick
Everything you'd need
This one is one that I’d like to consider to be the “bug out bag” of the cleaning kit world. I first learned about the Extreme Duty Cleaning kit from a fellow competitor who kept it in his truck box for use at the range. As competitors, we’re constantly tweaking and adjusting our guns to get the most performance out of them and sometimes what you need is a full house cleaning/maintenance kit right then and there.
The Extreme duty cleaning kit is on the large side but I think it earns space it takes up due to its 65 piece toolset as well as dedicated spots for oils, solvents and even canned air if you’d like to add any of these to your box. Since the kit isn’t designed specifically for rifles, pistols, or shotguns, it ends up being a lifesaver when you have it handy in your vehicle. The Brownells Extreme Duty Cleaning kit can be purchased from Brownells for 105.99 and comes with specialty tools for AR-15 rifles and Shotguns.
2. Otis Elite Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun and Optics Cleaning Kit
This is like a slightly toned down, less space intensive kit when compared to the Brownell’s Extreme Duty Kit. This kit actually features another smaller dedicated pistol cleaning kit within it that can be tossed in a smaller range bag for days when you’re only looking to do pistol shooting. Beyond that the kit comes with everything you’d need to completely clean your 22 rifle all the way up to your 12 gauge shotgun.
Another great feature of the Otis cleaning kit is that it comes already equipped with two tubes of Otis O85 Ultra Bore Solvent as well as a lens cleaning solution for your optics – all conveniently and placed inside the case.
As a final note, the biggest benefit of this cleaning kit is that it can fit snugly inside of your range bag or a backpack meaning you can take it to the firing line with you or bring it along with you out to your hunting lodge or cabin without needed to lug along an entire suitcase worth of stuff. The Otis Elite Rifle, Pistol and Optics Cleaning kit retails for $149.99 but often goes on sale during peak seasons.
3. Real Avid Master Cleaning Station Kit - Basic Pick
This is for those who like to bring their guns over to a friend’s garage or must move his or hear cleaning station around the house often. The Real Avid cleaning kit is a self-contained pseudo workbench that features its own cleaning mat with an attached closeable toolkit. All of this is contained inside of a transportable pouch that can be thrown into a backpack or range bag easily.
There is also a smaller version of the Master Cleaning Station kit that is for pistols only and has brushes, patches, ram rods, wire brushes and a smaller gun cleaning mat that is more compact and could probably be laid out on the bed if your truck or in the trunk of your car if you wanted.
You’ll need to bring along your own cleaning solutions and oils with this kit but for the most part its got everything you’d need to take care of a quick field strip and clean or even a deep scrub for the dirtiest of your guns. The Real Avid sells their Master Cleaning Station Kit is very affordable at just $48.98.
4. Otis Stock Rifle Cleaning Kit - Field Pick
This cleaning it isn’t going to cover all of your bases but it will definitely keep you from taking up extra space inside of your range bag for cleaning. The Otis Stock Rifle cleaning kit is designed in such a way that it fits right inside of an A2 style AR-15 stock and also comes with all of the tools you’ll need to clean your AR-15.
This is basically a turn-key solution that’ll keep you out of the weeds if your rifle starts to malfunction in the field and the best part is that you don’t have to worry about packing cleaning equipment in your range bag or backpack because the cleaning kit goes where the rifle goes!
The Otis Stock Rifle Cleaning kit for AR-15 Rifles is sold for $59.99 which makes it a sensible upgrade for your A2 Buttstock equipped AR-15 rifle and includes a small bottle of Ultra Bore cleaner, several brushes, ripcords, cleaning patches and comes with a convenient pouch for keeping all the tools together.
5. Wild Shot Deluxe Cleaning Kit
This last one is a bit of a wild card, but I have it on here for one good reason. These make great gifts for new gun owners or friends that like these goofy gun shaped tools. The Wild Shot Deluxe cleaning kit comes equipped with almost every tool you will need to get to service any of your firearms from 12 gauge all the way down to 22lr pistols.
The neat bullet shaped case encases a three-tiered rotary style tool holder that keeps all of your tools (and your solvent bottle) neat and organized. These make for great gifts and will keep your wife or spouse off your back about leaving your gun cleaning tools laying about everywhere as it blends in perfectly on any desk or workbench.
The Wild Shot Deluxe Cleaning Kit with Bullet Shaped Case sells for $39.95 and works with any pistol, rifle, or shotgun.
Gun cleaning tips
Cleaning guns can be both enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. Although I personally would rather be out shooting my guns than cleaning them – it must be done. Make sure you keep all your firearms clean and free of debris like dirt and lint. Lint can especially be a concern for your daily carry gun so its good to give that thing a solid once over on a regular basis.
For new gun owners, it can be tempting to slather your gun in a lot of oil, solvents, or CLP – try not to do this. Some solvents and oils can gum up the works once your firearm starts cycling by picking up bits of dust, unburnt powder or dirt that is in the air. It good to keep your firearm lubed but there should only be a thin layer of the stuff on the top of the gun.
Hopefully, you can teach your skills to someone else and help keep the gun community clean and safe for years to come with the help of these cleaning kits.
Do guns need to be cleaned after every use?
We know it’s a lot of extra work, but yes, all guns should be cleaned after you use them Does it always happen? Of course not, but remember to clean your gun routinely. A clean gun is a safe gun.
What happens if I don't clean my gun?
Every time it is fired, the propellants as well as a the bullet itself leave residue inside the firearm. As this residue or fouling builds up, it can affect accuracy, performance and safety.
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