Gun Maintenance Questions

[Wordupmybrotha]

Oh man I gotta start doing my homework, you guys have thrown out lots of good products. Gonna take some time to sort through it all but thats half the fun right?!

Are there any stand out kits that you guys know of that my serve my purposes for maintaining a shotgun, 22lr bolt action rifle and xd9? I'm considering the Otis, Remington, and M-Pro 7 Kits, or do you guys think thats overkill? They are all around $50. Or should I just part out my own kit? I'm looking to keep costs down on my end.

Edit:
Real Avid Gun Boss Pro Universal Gun Cleaning Kit

Remington Hunting Cleaning and Maintenance Kit

M-Pro 7 Tactical Universal Cleaning Kit

Otis 3-Gun Competition Cleaning System

Memphys,
I clicked on those universal gun cleaning kits and I don't use majority of those. I bet none of us on this forum have exactly the same supplies and cleaning method, but I'll share with you what I have. Hopefully it'll help.

This is the cleaning kit that I use:



To clean off the oil - such as firing pin channel. I don't spray this in places where lubrication is needed. I spray this all over a gun that I just bought to get rid of the cosmoline or whatever the old owner used on their gun. Then I start fresh with my own CLP.

https://www.amazon.com/M-Pro-Cleaner-4-Ounce-Spray-Bottle/dp/B00162PQSW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465531754&sr=8-3&keywords=mpro+7

Since it's a CLP, I apply it to all areas that need cleaning. I use a patch to run it through the barrel and the bolt.

https://www.amazon.com/FROGLUBE-CLP-Lubricant-Kit-Liquid/dp/B0053TTUHW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1465531790&sr=8-9&keywords=frog+lube

Weapon Shield CLP is good too. Except I don't use it if my gun has wood grips/stock. It makes the wood sticky and dull.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TD39W4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My favorite brand of patches. Doesn't shed like Outers brand.

https://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Cleaning-38--45-Caliber-410-20-Gauge/dp/B0000C50HM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465532248&sr=8-1&keywords=gun+cleaning+patch

These are the narrowest swabs I could find. Good for cleaning the inside of slide rails. I get the ultra fine double sided tapered tips.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009XX6T3W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these to clean the feed ramps, bolt, inside of the slide. Bronze for caked-up areas.

https://www.amazon.com/Otis-Technology-Variety-Brushes-Bronze/dp/B009OX8IXA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465531852&sr=8-3&keywords=otis+brush

I bought one of these at a gun show for couple bucks. I hook a patch on the end of it and use it to coat the inside of the barrel with a CLP.


BoreSnake is great. I have it for every caliber: 12 ga, 22 rifle, 22 pistol, 9mm, 45 acp. etc. Note that there is a BoreSnake for 22 pistol and 22 rifle, which is longer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C50S8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Last but not least, I store my cleaning kit in here.

https://www.amazon.com/Sistema-Collection-Rectangle-Storage-Container/dp/B002AS8NOA/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1465532373&sr=8-15&keywords=sistema+klip+it

[M1A Rifleman]

You won't go wrong with Hoppes 9 for solvent and BreakFree CLP for oil. In addition to cleaning and oiling the inside of the breach and barrel you will need to keep the exterior wiped and oiled. Handling a blued gun can leave rust spots from the acidic oils of your skin.

Be carefull of more stringent amonia based solvents as these can eat finishes, however Hoppes 9 is safe, except for nickle plated finishes.

The generic cleaning kits can be fine, but its really in your technic. Suggest a cleaning rod of brass, aluminum, or plastic rather than steel. Using a rod nade of a material softer than the steel barrel may tend to help not damage tge barrel from cleaning. They say more barrels are ruined from poor cleaning than from shooting. Also suggest bronz bore brushes and not those made from stainless steel.

Always clean from the breach rather than the muzzle where possible. Never force a cleaning rod through the bore. Patches and brushes should be just tight enough to clean, but not over tight requiring lots of force to shove through. Ensure thd cleaning rod shoves straight and ot in an angle where it fouls againts the rifling.

Lastly, look at how you will store. Storing in zipped gun cases will lead to rust. It you live in an area where your home traps humidity, you will need to clean and wipe with oil more often to prevent corrosion.

[energizer]

Howdy,

Are those universal cleaning kits worth a damn? (A buddy of mine suggested Hoppe's Universal Gun Cleaning Accessory Kit about $20 on amazon)

Bore snakes good buys? Can use this alone or do I need these along with a kit?

What Solvents are considered essential? (Hoppe's No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner and Hoppe's No. 9 Synthetic Blend Lubricating Oil are on order)

What is the best practice with regards to maintenance? I have heard that you need to clean your guns after every use. What would be a good schedule if I plan to go out to a range at least 2 times a month.

I'm not too comfortable taking a gun completely apart, is this something that everyone should really learn? I will eventually of course but initially I'm working if it is something I should learn sooner than later.

What should I never do when cleaning and maintaining?

Thank you for your help

I can tell you about your rifle and your handgun.

Any cheap cleaning kit will work for you handgun. They will come with rods, bore brush, etc. You can buy some cotton patches as a supplement.

I have something like this for my handguns:



This works as a field kit as well. Soon you will outgrow it.

For 10/22 and other rifles I made a pull through using a weed cutter plastic wire. I just use cotton patches through the bore. Very cheap and it works.

[Portcullis]

Pretty cool little tidbit about the FrontSight membership-

"..No whey"

I like the Otis kits. I mostly just shoot Glocks these days so I don't use mine much, but if I was shooting rifles, pistols and shotguns I'd definitely use it more often. I don't use any Hoppe's products.

I use a snake more than any other cleaning product. The Otis versions are nice and cheap.

I like M Pro 7's cleaner. It's non-toxic, doesn't smell, and has a soapy-water consistency. I buy it by the gallon.

Depends on the gun. I think people clean their guns too much. I only clean my Glocks after about 1,000 rounds. Buy a quality gun lube, but don't buy any of the stupid expensive lubes. I like Weapon Shield, it costs about $1.50 an ounce.

Field stripping is mandatory for every firearm. Some guns are darn near impossible to detail strip (HK pistols, for example).

Remove all ammunition from the room. Visually and physically check the chamber. Look away, then do it again.