Otis Cleaning System Question

[WiscTJK]

Question for those familiar with barrels and the the Otis gun cleaning system.

I recently purchased the Otis tactical system. The instructions tell you install the obstruction remover and push from breech to muzzle.

1. My question is is there any way this brass end (obstruction remover) could damage the bore when pushing it through? i have thought about buying a plastic end to push it through.

2. I have heard that you don't want to use a brass brush on .22 rimfires, but the instructions have you go wet patch, brush, dry patch. Repeating until clean. Please advise.

3. After cleaning a gun I use gunscrubber to clean the flexible rod, brush, and all ends. Does this make sense? I don't want to push a dirty rod through my next gun.

Seems like a great system, but I am fairly new to firearms and don't want to damage them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[swan hunter]

Otis

I would say that since the barrel steel is much harder than the brass, no damage would imparted...plus, you don't really get that much leverage pushing on the cable to gouge anything.

I just run a rag over the cable to clean it. Have been using this system for about 12 years.

 

[WiscTJK]

I just run a rag over the cable to clean it.

So you don't use their patches, you just push a patch through it, correct?

Do you use the brushes much if at all (I tend to clean often)?

Thanks Swan

 

[swan hunter]

Depends...

If I am cleaning a High Powered Rifle with lots of crud, I use patches and brushes...You mentioned pushing a patch through...Actually, You pull the patches through it.
I use their patches and others also (they are cheaper).
I wouldn't waste a cleaning patch to wipe the outside of the cleaning cable when I was done. Just pinch it in a rag and drag it through.

 

[WiscTJK]

Ah, I now understand what you mean. I misunderstood your first response.

It is clear now.

Thanks.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Since I purchased my "Otis" in 1998 the price seemed to skyrocket to double. To be honest I never use that thing anylonger. As far as I am concerned there isn't anything too tactical about it other than it being black. Using a good Nylon chord and pulling through patches is nothing new, Otis just capitalized on it.

 

[sm]

1.Obstruction tool has worked for me, no bore damage.
Then again I was careful and using proper methods.

2. I rarely clean bores on any firearm, chambers yes, bores rare unless exposed to shooting lead, rain, snow, etc.

3. I would NOT use GS on the coated cable. I never did, just wipe off.
Not all plastics do well with GS, or other Brake/Carb cleaners

I grew up using a "thong" - basically rawhide with a slit to hold a patch.
This fit into a shoe tin with patches and glass bottle of oil...used when afield, and wet, due to rain and snow and whatever.

Get Bigger, and Kit & Kaboodle, again in a tin, and later this became Otis.

Now I used the Otis , and suggested it to some , when I assisted on Private Ranges and to certain folks. Fact is, we had a variety of guns and calibers and just handy.
Still, we Always had a rod for shotguns and a Proper cleaning kit to fit what needed.

Tactical killed this Otis for me and lots of others.

Oh, a .177 is handy for oiling a .22 bore, maybe.
Patchworm "sometimes" gets used.
I assist with kids shooting .22 rifles and some of what I /we do is educate and pass forward.
Kids want to try this stuff and we encourage questions, appreciate kids getting this stuff and it being "cool" or "neat" or "pretty special".

My take, I show the kids Wil Shumann's site and let them read.
Gabe McMillian's works at TFL as well.

I pass forward as passed to me [right, wrong, still me]
Improper use of tools causes damage.
Folks over clean guns and ironically over clean what really does not need inspecting and maintaining, and do not inspect and maintain what does.

Folks over use GS, BrakeKleen, and mix chemicals that do harm.

Bore guide, Muzzle guard, rod, and proper technique is what I pass forward , especially now.

Take a look at the guides on a fishing rod, nylon cuts .
Keep the "whatever" one inserts straight, wipe off, and continue proper use /technique.

Put it this way, if Dewy. Tipton, Pro-Shot puts "Tactical" on a cleaning rod, I/we are liable to break it in half and use for tomato stakes.

 

[Onmilo]

My Otis sits in a storage box now.
I refuse to pay for their expensive proprietary patches and got tired of cutting the special slots in regular patches.
The bore obstruction remover isn't very useful for removing anything but a spiderweb, forget trying to knock a stuck bullet out with this little tool.
I now use Hoppe Bore Snakes for range cleaning and solid one piece rods for serious cleaning.