I need suggestions for an inexpensive but good cleaning kit that will work with .22lr, 38 special, .40, 9mm, .45acp basically. New to firearms, I have 4 currently and more at some point. Haven't had a chance to fire them yet. I bought a cheap kit when I bought my MPc .22lr but it's very basic. Or is it better to get snakes for each caliber?
Cleaning kits for multiple calibers?
- Thread starter Mars5l
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bassjam
Member
You can get by fine with a .22 bore snake and a handgun bore snake, no need to have one for each caliber.
Here's a secret: if you're not shooting bare/lubed lead bullets (or black powder or corrosive primers), you may not need to clean the bore of a pistol. You almost certainly don't need to really scrub the bore unless there is leading to remove. For most pistols, there is no longevity benefit to cleaning the bore (in fact, cleaning is more likely to do damage), and no measurable accuracy benefit.
The slide-frame rail/interface should be cleaned frequently. The firing mechanism and other moving parts should be cleaned periodically. The chamber of the barrel or cylinder should be kept clean enough to allow ammo to drop in freely without soot causing binding. But the bore itself - the thing that would theoretically require gun/caliber specific gear - may not need cleaning at all.
I don't clean the bores of my USPSA competition guns. These are guns that see tens of thousands of rounds through them. Their bores just stay "dirty," even when I'm doing a detail strip to the bare frame and slide and cleaning every individual part of the firing mechanism. .
The slide-frame rail/interface should be cleaned frequently. The firing mechanism and other moving parts should be cleaned periodically. The chamber of the barrel or cylinder should be kept clean enough to allow ammo to drop in freely without soot causing binding. But the bore itself - the thing that would theoretically require gun/caliber specific gear - may not need cleaning at all.
I don't clean the bores of my USPSA competition guns. These are guns that see tens of thousands of rounds through them. Their bores just stay "dirty," even when I'm doing a detail strip to the bare frame and slide and cleaning every individual part of the firing mechanism. .
ApacheCoTodd
member
Your .22 rod of good quality will work in all of the other calibers that you listed.
I use .22 almost exclusively - fortunately, I do not own any .17s.
So, after you buy your basic .22 rifle kit, you'll want attachments individually for the other calibers. Here, be certain that the threads and offsets match as there are at least 3 styles of threads and threaded ends out there. Most can accommodate one another with available adaptors.
G96 is a wonderful general cleaner-protectant and has no untoward smell should you ave a delicate nose in the house.
I specifically steer clear of snakes for multiple reasons but the least argument-generating is that they are a one-way proposition and I also can't be bothered to feed them through.
Todd.
I use .22 almost exclusively - fortunately, I do not own any .17s.
So, after you buy your basic .22 rifle kit, you'll want attachments individually for the other calibers. Here, be certain that the threads and offsets match as there are at least 3 styles of threads and threaded ends out there. Most can accommodate one another with available adaptors.
G96 is a wonderful general cleaner-protectant and has no untoward smell should you ave a delicate nose in the house.
I specifically steer clear of snakes for multiple reasons but the least argument-generating is that they are a one-way proposition and I also can't be bothered to feed them through.
Todd.
Even if you do shoot lead bullets and are shooting good bullets that don't leave lead behind, you DON'T need to scrub the barrel. If you do need to get lead out of the barrel, use the chore boy trick. It'll be done in two strokes. If I actually do clean a gun, I'll just run a wetted patch through the bore followed by a dry one. I mostly just want to get the heavy crud off the firearm because I usually wear a suit to work and don't want that crap on my clothes.
Don't over think firearm maintenance. A good firearm doesn't need to be spic and span clean. It just need care. Light lube in the right spots.
Riomouse911
Member
I bought a Ruger-branded handgun kit off of Amazon...it came with a bunch of cleaning jags, rod, etc. for around 20 bucks delivered.
I actually use one designated rod/jag for my 9mm-.38-.357-.40 pistols, I'll just put a few more patches on the jag when cleaning the .40 bore size. (The jag got stuck on the rod ages ago so it's perfect for this use.)
The .22's get their own rod and cleaning set up while the .41-.44-.45 I use a different (larger diameter) rod and a larger jag.
Rifles get the same treatment; a Tipton 36" .22 diameter rod and various jags for stuff up to 8mm. For .35 and up a larger diameter Tipton rod for the pistol caliber carbines and .35 Rem - .45/70.
As others have said, they don't get a bore scrubbing unless I'm seeing it needs it. Usually a Hoppes patch, then snug-fitting dry patches followed by a lightly oiled patch and all is good to go for the next time. (If I see copper fouling a copper cleaner, brushing, then Hoppes, etc. Revolver chambers are more likely to get a brushing if I'm shooting specials in a magnum, lots of lead bullets, etc.)
Stay safe.
I actually use one designated rod/jag for my 9mm-.38-.357-.40 pistols, I'll just put a few more patches on the jag when cleaning the .40 bore size. (The jag got stuck on the rod ages ago so it's perfect for this use.)
The .22's get their own rod and cleaning set up while the .41-.44-.45 I use a different (larger diameter) rod and a larger jag.
Rifles get the same treatment; a Tipton 36" .22 diameter rod and various jags for stuff up to 8mm. For .35 and up a larger diameter Tipton rod for the pistol caliber carbines and .35 Rem - .45/70.
As others have said, they don't get a bore scrubbing unless I'm seeing it needs it. Usually a Hoppes patch, then snug-fitting dry patches followed by a lightly oiled patch and all is good to go for the next time. (If I see copper fouling a copper cleaner, brushing, then Hoppes, etc. Revolver chambers are more likely to get a brushing if I'm shooting specials in a magnum, lots of lead bullets, etc.)
Stay safe.
P5 Guy
Member
Otis, I use the pull-thru most often for cleaning. Makes the most sense since most all of my rifles are self loaders.
Also works on handguns but it is awkward.
The Otis I bought came with three pull cables, two loops and brushes from 22 thru 45.
Also works on handguns but it is awkward.
The Otis I bought came with three pull cables, two loops and brushes from 22 thru 45.
Obturation
Member
I keep my life simple. You can keep your complete cleaning supplies limited to what you can get at Wal-Mart or the hardware store - the commercially available cleaning kits are a gimmick and do nothing regular items can't .
Only gun stuff I recommend are some hoppes and some clp.
Cut patches from old t-shirts and blue jeans. Use qtips, toothpicks for small spots. Use paracord instead of buying snakes, just tie copper wool (check with a magnet to ensure its nonferrous) to paracord and drag that through the bore- works for every caliber and costs pennies- exact same thing a snake . Use a brass rod from the hardware store if you need something rigid. Don't over lube and don't spend money on "special stuff".
A good complete set of cleaning supplies will cost about $20 and will be all you need . If you shoot rifles some copper remover may be needed but since you're just doing handguns, generally it isn't needed.
Only gun stuff I recommend are some hoppes and some clp.
Cut patches from old t-shirts and blue jeans. Use qtips, toothpicks for small spots. Use paracord instead of buying snakes, just tie copper wool (check with a magnet to ensure its nonferrous) to paracord and drag that through the bore- works for every caliber and costs pennies- exact same thing a snake . Use a brass rod from the hardware store if you need something rigid. Don't over lube and don't spend money on "special stuff".
A good complete set of cleaning supplies will cost about $20 and will be all you need . If you shoot rifles some copper remover may be needed but since you're just doing handguns, generally it isn't needed.
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