Thinking About Building My Own Cleaning Kit

[ObsidianOne]

I have a cheap Winchester all-in-one kit that I bought from Walmart a while back but I think it's about time for an upgrade (certain calibers that I own aren't included in the kit) and I'm in a toss up on what I want to do.
I have a few questions, first and foremost, I recently decided to buy a .45 caliber Boresnake, I think they are the best thing since canned coke.
I couldn't believe how well they work. I was a little worried about the way it pulls the brush through (concerned about rifling), but I don't think it's too much of an issue (no more than a regular brush).
Should I just say screw it to a new cleaning kit and just hang onto the one I have for a backup, and just buy a boresnake for the calibers I need?

I was also concerned about the material the cleaning rod is made of. It tends to move around when trying to clean and I was wondering about whether or not using metal cleaning rods are such a great idea (more so about the adapter pieces that seem to sometimes touch the sides of the barrels), maybe carbon fiber? The cheap one I have now has bent while trying to clean my .22 when it's really gunked up if I push on the handle instead of trying to put pressure closer to the barrel.

What should I expect to pay to build my own cleaning kit (if I don't just get Boresnakes instead)?
Any must have's you'd recommend?
The things I currently have are:

• Cleaning Kit (including brushes, some cheap jags and slotted tips, and wool mops)
• Sillicone cloth
• Rag
• Rusty's Rag Pistol Cloth
• Winchester Breakfree
• Rem oil aerosol can
• Brush (gun cleaning brush, similar to toothbrush)
• Patches
• Box of Q-Tips

That's about everything I can think of

 

[fatcat4620]

Sounds good. For Q-tips go to the makeup isle and look for makeup qtips. I used to steal them from my girl. They cost more but are the bomb. One side is pointed and one is flat. They're stiff amd don't fall apart. I also expanded my kit from what you have to include all tools needed to take down and repair my guns.

 

[ObsidianOne]

Sounds good. For Q-tips go to the makeup isle and look for makeup qtips. I used to steal them from my girl. They cost more but are the bomb. One side is pointed and one is flat. They're stiff amd don't fall apart. I also expanded my kit from what you have to include all tools needed to take down and repair my guns.

Cool idea! Never thought of using those. Too bad my chick doesn't really wear makeup. I'll have to go buy some.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I skip buying a lot of commercially made gun cleaning stuff in order to save money:

1.) I don't buy patches. I cut up old cotton or flannel shirts for patches.

2.) I don't buy "gun cleaning" brushes that look like a toothbrush. I buy a ten pack of Chinese tooth brushes at a flea market for 2 bucks.

3.) I use Ed's Red Solvent. A gallon can be made for the cost of a pint of Hoppe's.

4.) I don't buy silicone or oiling clothes. I went to the local fabric store and bought a yard or flannel. Heck, I even used a 50% off coupon. I cut it into about 12" squares. A squirt of silicone makes a silcone cloth. I spray them liberally with Rem Oil and wrap them around my cased blue handguns and also keep a couple hanging inside my gun safe to wipe down the long guns.

 

[SentinelStrategic]

My gun cleaning stuff has evolved into a large tackle box of goodies. I have basically ditched all my chemicals and replaced them with Slip2000 products. I also have bore snakes, brushes, rod sections, etc.
All of my tools are in two other tool boxes. AR tools are in one large tool box, and all other tools are in another tool box. Then I have a thirds general tool box with sockets and such. I prefer to keep my tools separate from my cleaning kit. When I got to the range and I bring stuff, I don't want to be digging through everything trying to find something. I know which box to grab.

 

[Motega]

this video has a lot of good gear... I like having a bore light and various brass picks, and of course a good cleaning rod, bore guide, muzzle guide, multi-gun tool, g96 (love the smell) Mpro7 I couldn't live without, gun blueing pen/paste, anyway check out the vi, I'm using a Dry box but this MTM bow is awesome, just got one for $35 + $4 shipping.

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store/product.php?productid=889886

 

[GLOOB]

The only things I have that you didn't list are:

Bronze wool, for cleaning stainless steel and bore fouling.

Multiple cleaning rods:

Chopped 6" straight rod that can be chucked in a drill for cleaning chambers/cylinders and for pass-thru bore brushing of auto pistol barrels.

Standard 8" pistol rod with handle for pushing patches and brushing revolver barrels.

Wooden dowel, for knocking out squibs. Not really a cleaning tool, but you might as well keep it there in case you need it.

The cheap one I have now has bent while trying to clean my .22 when it's really gunked up if I push on the handle instead of trying to put pressure closer to the barrel.

Sound like you could use a .22 bore snake. I've never put a cleaning rod in my .22's. Just pull a patch through every once in a blue moon with a brass weight and a piece of fishing line.

My gun cleaning stuff has evolved into a large tackle box of goodies.

Between sorting the stuff I don't use, and customizing my kit to hold everything in an organized fashion, I can store all my essential gear into a fairly small case.

Literally built my own cleaning kit:
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/kit.jpg