Improper cleaning and lubrication of personal firearms is one of the biggest reasons for undue wear and tear on the weapon, as well as decreased performance.
Don’t you want to make sure that your weapon works optimally, every time?
This is why it is so important to make sure that you clean and maintain your gun regularly and properly. Whether a gun is used often or is stored most of the time, it can gather dirt, dust, and other debris. This can cake up on and in the weapon, causing build-up which reduces the efficacy of the weapon. With this easy-to-follow best gun cleaning kit reviews guide, you will be armed (pun intended) with the information you need to choose the best tool for the job.
You can easily find a high quality and affordable cleaning kit on the market which includes all the tools and products you need to keep your firearm clean and properly functioning at all times. It is imperative that you know what tools to use for cleaning your firearm, but it is also important that you understand how to best clean your gun as well. This guide is intended to provide you with the information you need to do the job and choose the best product for the money.
Overview: Best Gun Cleaning Kits
Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
Remington Gun Cleaning Kit | Top Pick |
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Hoppe's Universal Gun Cleaning Accessory Kit |
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Outers 28-Piece Universal Wood Gun Cleaning Box |
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HOPPE'S Elite EGCOTG Gun Care On The Go Kit |
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Allen Deluxe Gun Cleaning Kit |
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Real Avid Premium Cleaning and Maintenance Kit |
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Best Gun Cleaning Kit List (Updated)
1. Remington Gun Cleaning Kit
This is a cleaning kit from the highly reputable and trusted Remington brand. The kit is priced competitively and has everything you need for basic cleaning of a variety of different types of firearms. It comes in a vinyl zipper kit and includes durable and sturdy cleaning tools. Included is a proprietary bore cleaning brush called the Rem Squeeg-E that makes cleaning and removing debris from the barrel or chambers of the weapon a snap. The kit also includes coated flex cables and a high-performance all-in-one bore cleaner that is designed to rid your barrel of lead or copper fouling with ease. It also includes two cleaning brushes, a cloth, and adapter for the brush depending on barrel size. The kit is suitable for a variety of different firearms and has all the tools needed to keep your weapons in good working order.
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2. Hoppe’s Universal Gun Cleaning Accessory Kit
From the trusted brand of Hoppe’s, this is a great all purpose, heavy duty gun cleaning kit. It is designed for use with a variety of different weapons types and barrels of different sizes. With 9 aluminum brushes, there is one suitable for pretty much any type of firearm from a shotgun to a pistol. This affordable kit includes a universal cleaning rod that works on pretty much all firearms. It also comes with a phosphor bronze brush that is specially designed for cleaning shotgun barrels. It also comes with a caliber rifle bronze brush, making this kit great for handgun owners or hunting enthusiasts. The kit comes with an adapter brass for rifles and to universal shotguns cleaning accessory kit that makes it simple to clean even in the nooks and crannies of the weapon. It should be noted that this kit comes with tools only. Solvents and oils are sold separately.
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3. Outers 28-piece Universal Wood Gun Cleaning Box
This is an affordable, professional quality cleaning kit brought to you by the highly trust Outers brand. The kit is attractive, coming in an aged oak box with a nice finishing that makes it an attractive piece you do not have to hide away like so many other kits. The tools and brushes are durable and designed to last. They can handle heavy duty cleaning and are suitable for all firearms, whether modern or antique. All the brushes are brass, which is the recommended material for cleaning brushes as it is the perfect combination of strength and flexibility. The cleaning rods are solid brass and well designed. The kit also includes different tips, mops, and brushes, giving you all the tools you need to clean pretty much any firearm. The kit also includes professional strength solvents that make cleaning a breeze. The kit is divided into different sections with organizers, making it a convenient toolkit that makes access to what you need, simple and efficient.
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4. Hoppe’s Elite EGCOTG Gun Care On The Go Kit
This is another great value from the trusted Hoppe’s brand of gun-related products and accessories. The kit is a great choice for at-home cleaning or cleaning on the go. The kit is housed in a sturdy hard plastic case that is also lockable. This helps keep the family safe as well. The kit comes with five different bore brushes to meet the needs of a variety of different firearm types. The cleaning rod is sturdy and folds for convenient storage. The kit also includes a lint-resistant gun cloth that can be used for basic dirt and dust removal. The Hoppe’s kit also comes with high-quality solvent and oil, meaning that it includes everything needed to keep your gun clean and well maintained, whether in the field or in your living room. Replacement chemicals and pieces are simple to find and affordable to order when you run out.
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5. Allen Deluxe Gun Cleaning Kit
This is a highly recommended professional quality universal gun cleaning kit that comes with a price tag that won’t cause sticker shock. The Allen Deluxe Gun Cleaning Kit is housed in a sturdy, durable, aluminum case that can be easily locked. The Allen set is a comprehensive cleaning kit that includes 60 different parts. This means it comes with the right tools for cleaning and maintaining almost all types f firearms — from hunting rifles to handguns. The kit comes with a variety of different brushes, swabs, cleaning rods, and jags so as to provide the appropriate tool no matter what the job. The kit is separated into organized slots, making it easy to keep at ready and convenient access. This is great for people who have a variety of different firearms to maintain as it comes with all the tools necessary to clean almost any weapon. Solvents and oils are sold separately from this kit.
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6. Real Avid Premium Cleaning and Maintenance Kit
The Real Avid kit is a professional quality portable cleaning and maintenance kit that is available at an affordable price. It combines three different Real Avid products in one convenient kit that can be easily used on the go or at home. The tools are high quality and durable, made from brass rods and other components. The kit also includes a compact tactical carrying case, phosphor bronze brush, slotted tips, angled pick, stuck round extractor, and a nylon cleaning brush. Additionally, the kit also comes with a Bold Carrier Group Scraper which is designed to clean the main surfaces of the gun, including the bolt, firing pin, bolt carrier, and bolt Cam pin. With the Real Avid kit you also receive a comprehensive field guide that includes instructions on how to disassemble, clean, oil, and maintain your firearm. This is a great reference tool to have with you in the field.
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How to Choose the Most Appropriate Gun Cleaning Kit?
It might seem like any old rag would do for cleaning your firearms, but it is imperative that you have the right tools for the job and know the proper steps to cleaning your weapon. Maintaining your firearm with regular cleaning and maintenance will help increase the longevity of the weapon and keep it working as best as possible at all times.
Considerations
There are a number of things that you will want to keep in mind when selecting a gun cleaning kit. You want something that is high quality and not a gimmick. You don’t want to break the bank in the process, so it helps to know what tools are necessary and what brands are good values. Cleaning kits are often designed to be all-purpose, general use kits, which means they come with a variety of tools for cleaning different firearms. This means that a general kit is likely to have everything you need and then some.
Kits will include:
- cleaning tools
- cleaning materials
- chemical solvents
- oil or other lubricants
- some sort of carrying case
Kits can be simple zipper bags, similar in look to a deluxe shaving kit, or they can come in large, solid wood boxes that are decorative in nature. Obviously, the fancier your case, the heftier the price tag, but there are attractive options out there for people with extra money to spare.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Once you have factored in cost, you need to think about your specific needs. What type of weapon will you be cleaning? This will help you determine what kit is best for you. A general kit is a great choice for people who are cleaning a variety of different weapons, but they also make specialized cleaning kits that are designed for use with particular types of firearms.
Field Cleaning Kits
Field cleaning kits are kits that are designed to be portable and allow you to clean your weapon where you are. These are great for hunting. They are easy to carry and come with everything you need to keep your firearm clean and at the ready, even when you are out on the hunt. It should be noted that simply regular use of a weapon can cause it to become dirty and in need of a cleaning. When a firearm is engaged, gunpowder ignites and the bullet gets shot down the barrel. This process can leave small amounts of residue behind that can begin to build up over time. Even a small amount of build up can reduce the effectiveness of the weapon. This can actually end up being dangerous as it can cause the gun to jam, which can lead to a backfire or other potentially harmful scenario. Build up can also lead to moving parts of the firearm getting gummed up with residue, which causes added friction. This friction will lead to wear and tear on the firearm which reduces effectiveness and the life of the weapon.
A dirty weapon will:
- not work optimally
- may fire improperly
- could be dangerous
- reduce the life of the weapon due to increased wear and tear
When selecting the appropriate gun cleaning kit, you want to make sure that it has the tools for your particular weapon. It should include a solvent and tools with which to apply solvents and clean the firearm. You will need to know what caliber you gun is and make sure that the kit you choose has the right tool for the gauge of your weapon.
Whether you are going to be using your kit on the go or mostly in the home will also help determine what kit will work best for your needs. A travel kit will have just the bare necessities that you will need to keep your weapon in working order in the field, but it will not contain all the different tools you need to do a deep cleaning for the gun about to be stored for a period of time. You should choose a kit that is comprised of trusted brand names and high-quality tools. You need a kit that will stand the test of time. Firearms need to be cleaned regularly, and if your weapon sees increased use, it will need to be cleaned more deeply and more often. Cheap cleaning kits often come with tools that can withstand heavy cleaning. This is why it is important to do a little research so you can ensure that the kit you choose is up to the task.
The Gist
Basically, what the choice comes down to will be based on needs, cost, and the quality of the materials used in the kit. You need an option that won’t break the bank but that will be able to do the job you require of it. There are a ton of great universal tool kits that come with a variety of different tools for the cleaning of an array of different firearms. These are available at a range of affordable prices and are suitable for most modern weapons. If you want a specialty cleaning kit, you can also find weapon-specific kits as well. These will include all the tools you will need for you weapon of choice.
Items Found in a Gun Cleaning Kit
One of the great things about buying a cleaning kit, as opposed to each individual piece separately, is that it takes a lot of the guesswork out of getting the right tools. The kits are designed to have everything you need already included in them. These items will not last forever. Solvents and oils will run out and brushes will break down and need to be replaced. Most gun stores and online retailers offer the invidiousness components for sale as well. While what is included in your kit will depend on whether it is universal (and how many pieces the kit contains) or intended for a specific type of firearm. Regardless of the kit you choose, the following items are likely to be included:
- solvent for cleaning the weapon
- oil for lubrication
- patches
- bore cleaning brush (bronze is recommended)
- patch holder
- patches
- jag
- rod
- cleaning cloths
Often the bore cleaning brush will be sold separately as what you use will depend on the gauge or caliber of your weapon. It is important when buying cleaning products that you know the basic specs of your weapon. Bore-cleaning brushes are often made diffract materials such as plastic, stainless steel, or bronze. Bronze is the recommended material as it is shown to stand up to the job better than other materials. However, if you plan on using a super powerful cleaning agent, it might be best to get a plastic brush. Some solvents will actually dissolve bronze.
The main problem with plastic is that it is not heavy duty enough to handle a lot of basic cleaning needs. Its advantage is that it will not dissolve like other metals do in powerful solvents. Stainless steel brushes should pretty much always be avoided. While stainless steel can stand up to much tougher jobs, it has also been shown to scratch up and cause damage to gun barrels and other parts. This will actually work against the efforts you are trying to achieve with regular cleaning and maintenance. It is not recommended to use stainless steel brushes on most modern or even classic and antique weapons.
Gun Cleaning Patches
A good kit will come with a lot of extra patches as this is one of the materials that will wear out and need to be replaced most quickly. When you run out of the patches that were included in your kit, you can often order replacements on the manufacturer website. You can also easily make homemade patches by cutting the appropriate sized squares out of an old, clean cotton t-shirt. These homemade patches work just as well though some prefer the peace of mind they get from using job-specific materials. It truly is up to you what you prefer to use. These patches are made to soak up solvent and remove any debris or build up in the gun. It is important that they be tossed and replaced with clean ones when they become dirty.
Chances are you are going to choose a universal kit which will include a basic solvent and lubrication oil. Many of these options are perfectly suited to the job, but with some kits, this is where the manufacturer skimps. This is why it is important to know trusted brands of cleaners and oils so as to be able to determine that you are getting a quality product for the money. Trusted brands are trusted for a reason. They do the job right and do it right the first time. You may decide that the solvent included in your kit does not work for your exact needs, the same with the oil. It is simple to choose your favorite brands of oil and solvent and add them to your kit. It is simple to personalize your kit to include your favorite tools and chemicals.
How to Keep Your Firearm Clean Using a Kit
Once you have selected and purchased the kit that will work best for you, it is time to clean your firearm. This is not hard to do, but it does require practice and experience to get down. Once you know all the basic steps and have a few cleanings under your belt, cleaning your weapon will become second nature. It can be intimidating to see all those tools and bottles lined up for use. Many times we think of cleaning as a soap, water, and rag endeavor, but with firearms, some specialized tools and know-how are required.
- 1) Disassemble the Firearm: If you are cleaning a handgun, you are likely to need to disassemble the weapon, at least to an extent, to be able to get to all the parts that need cleaning. How this is done is dependent on the weapon you are cleaning. Before you get started cleaning handguns, make sure you have a working knowledge of how to properly disassemble the weapon first. It should be noted that weapons need to be unloaded before cleaning to avoid any accidents.
- 2) Choose A Well-Aired Location: The solvents are harsh chemicals, so it is recommended that you clean your firearm in a room or location that has adequate ventilation. The fumes from these chemicals can be strong and potentially dangerous. These are toxic chemicals that can cause a lot of damage if they come in contact with your skin or are ingested. Be sure to use caution when working with these products.
- 3) Cleaning the Barrel – Releasing Debris: One of the most important areas of focus when cleaning is the barrel of the gun. This is where residue from the firing process will accumulate, as well as other forms of dirt and grime. To do this you attach the appropriately-sized bore brush to the included cleaning rod. A solvent is then applied to the brush. Push the brush back and forth through the barrel a few times to get the process started. You will need to do this a number of times to remove all residue and will need to reapply solvent at least a couple more times.
- 4) Cleaning the Barrel – Removing Debris: Next, attach your patch to the cleaning rod and push it up through the barrel. This is how you will remove debris and grime that was broken down by the solvent.
- 5) Lubricating the Barrel: Once the barrel is clean, use a clean patch and apply a small amount of gun oil to it. Push the oiled patch up through the barrel to create a thin, protective barrier for your weapon.
Additional Steps if Cleaning Revolvers
In addition to the barrel of the gun, you will also do this to each chamber if you are cleaning a revolver. Most revolvers have the usual long barrel like most firearms, but also five or six shorter barrels that create the chamber. These are cleaned in the same way you clean the barrel.
- 6) Cleaning the Outside: Using patches and solvent, you can carefully wipe down all parts of the gun and use a clean patch to wipe away any remaining solvent. You can condition the outside of the weapon by adding a thin layer of oil or preservative using a patch. This will help keep the outside of the weapon looking clean as well.
It is recommended that you clean your weapon after each use or before putting it away for long-term storage. Getting in the habit of cleaning your weapon after use will help you get in the routine of regularly maintaining your weapon in the appropriate fashion. You will be happy you did when the firearm works just as it should, every time you fire it, whether the last time you shot it was yesterday or last year. Knowing the basics of gun cleaning will give you the know-how you need to keep your weapon in great working order at all times.
Wrap Up
As you can see, keeping your firearm or air rifle clean and well maintained is imperative to the safe and proper functioning of your firearm. Even though the course of regular use, firearms will collect residue and debris that can impede proper working order. This can lead to potentially dangerous problems like the weapon backfiring. It can also add undue wear and tear on your weapon through added friction as a result of caked on dirt and grime. With this simple guide to the best gun cleaning kit reviews, you are armed with a few great brands and values that are trusted and have long been used by gun enthusiasts. You also know what tools to look for and what you need to have as a part of your kit. We then provided an easy, basic rundown of how to use these kits to keep your firearm clean and in good working order at all times. This helps to ensure that the weapon is safe to use and always ready when you need it. This guide is all you need to have a basic understanding of what is included in gun cleaning kits, what to look for, how to chose the right kit for the job, and how to keep your firearms properly cleaned and maintained. Happy shooting!
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Not sure if you have used the Hoppes or Outers Kits you reviewed above, but they are made so cheaply the threads strip out of the rod and the rods bend easily. There are a lot better kits out there that will last longer. These two kits will end up costing you more money as you will have to buy another, better kit when they break.
Super, could you please do let us know the products, Claire? We will review them as well.
Yes I want to know also