Best Universal Gun Cleaning Kits Reviewed
Owning a firearm is common today, but it should also be seen as a privilege that comes with immense responsibility. If you keep guns in your home, proper firearm education is imperative for both yourself and your family members. The more a person knows about guns, the less likely they are to become a victim of an accident. Safe and proper gun ownership covers everything from safe storage to marksmanship practice to proper gun cleaning know how. Good rifles and handguns are precision instruments that are built to perform. Cleaning them regularly is part of proper maintenance and having the best gun cleaning kit makes it simpler to keep your firearms in top condition.
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Why Gun Cleaning Is Essential
Every time a gun is discharged, powder ignites, sending the bullet down the barrel. Spin is imparted to the bullet by groves in the barrel called rifling and this increases the bullet’s accuracy. However, the residue left behind by gunpowder can build up over time, impairing proper firearm function and reducing the accuracy of your aim as well. The more often you use your gun, the more often you need to clean it. If the gun isn’t periodically cleaned, it begins to lose proper function. The rifling can become plugged, resulting in an improper spin. If it gets bad enough, the passage of the bullet might get blocked, resulting in backfire or a breech explosion.
It isn’t just the powder residue that is a problem; dust, dirt, and debris can take their toll. Even if a handgun is stored in an air-tight gun safe, it is prone to collecting dust and dirt during use or even when the gun safe is opened. It means even if you don’t use your firearm often, you should clean it periodically. Doing so prolongs the life of the gun and keeps it in top working condition while keeping the accuracy intact. Humidity and moisture are also a big issue, so in order to prevent your gun’s internal parts from rusting, proper cleaning will help you to air out and thoroughly dry all of the gun’s individual parts.
How Guns Are Cleaned
Make sure to do some thorough reading or else consult with a firearm expert before you begin to work with any weapon. Improper cleaning can impair proper firearm function just as much as too little cleaning. This is important to do even if you think you have enough knowledge about the firearm at hand. That being said, the process of cleaning a gun starts with proper checking to make sure the weapon is not loaded. Remove the clip or magazine, cycle the action at least once, and check the weapon from the chamber, not the barrel.
Always clean your gun from the breech toward the muzzle. If you try to clean it in the other direction, you might push dirt and built up residue down into the chamber, rather than pushing it out of the barrel. The idea is to open the breech as much as possible. Do not scratch the inside of the barrel with a metal rod; there are specific cleaning cloths for that purpose. Only a proper cleaning cloth should touch the weapon cleaning surface, lest its rifling or its mechanical components may get damaged.
The gun is then ready to put back together. The whole cleaning process may sound complicated and time-consuming, but it isn’t as complicated as it sound. You should have your gun cleaning supplies ready to use before you start the process. Cleaning a gun is a task that you should handle with utmost seriousness. After all, a clean gun is a gun that will not only fire perfectly but also give you an excellent firing experience every time you pull the trigger.
How to Choose the Best Universal Gun Cleaning Kits
The best gun cleaning kits largely depends on what type of gun you are cleaning. For example, if you only shoot long arms like rifles or shotguns, then you don’t need a kit designed for cleaning handguns. If, however, like most gun owners, you shoot rifles and pistols, then there are plenty of gun cleaning kits available that will suit your needs just fine. Or if you use a sports rifle extensively, the chances are that a good amount of copper and lead debris will make its way into the barrel. For that, you might want to consider a kit that features long rope like strips of cloth that can be pulled all the way through the barrel, removing the unwanted debris along the way.
Make sure to consider the physical size of the kit as well. The cleaning kits can be organized in two ways: home cleaning kit and field cleaning kit. If you’re a hunter who may need to clean and service his weapons in the field, there are plenty of small, compact kits that have the basic tools you need on-the-go. Smaller kits can be less comprehensive than their larger counterparts, but many are compact enough to be kept in a hiking backpack. You’ll also need to make sure that the accessories fit the caliber of the gun that you’ll be cleaning.
While many kits contain the pieces for cleaning handguns, other are specifically designed for rifles and shotguns. There are still some things to consider and to look for when buying a gun cleaning kit, regardless of what gun it is for.
- The cleaning kit must be easy to use and assemble
- It needs to have a quality brush which can be made of stainless steel loops, plastic bristles or bronze bristles
- It needs to have an attachment for patches
- It needs to have a fine supply of patches
- It needs to have the best gun cleaning solvent
10 Best Universal Gun Cleaning Kits
1. Outers 70103
- Appealing aged-oak wood finish for classic storage option
- High-quality precision tools and materials for effective cleaning
- Solid brass rods with high-quality tips, mops and brushes
- Compartmentalized storage solution for quick and convenient access
- Top notch cleaning solvents and liquids
- Great for both high and low caliber weapons
- Custom tailored for all gun types
- Ideal for all calibers and gauges
- For beginners
2. Hoppe's No. 9 BUOX
- Ideal for all kinds of pistols, rifles and shotguns
- Heavy duty wooden box for a classic look
- Precision tools and cleaning liquids for effective cleaning and maintenance
- Well organized storage space
- Hoppe’s “Guide to Gun Care” included
- Extremely lightweight
3. Ohuhu
- Easy cleaning brushes and extension rods make cleaning a breeze
- Precision tools and accessories for all sorts of firearms
- All size brass cleaning brushes
- Cotton brushed for effective cleaning
- Heavy-duty, lightweight aluminum casing for efficient storage
- Ideal for seasoned hunters and beginners alike
- Well organized compartmentalization for quick and easy access
- All length mops and extension rods for effective cleaning
- The patch holders are plastic
- Not so durable
4. Otis FG-1000
- Precision tools and accessories for effective cleaning and maintenance
- Efficient Memory-Flex Cables for more effective cleaning
- Specialized obstruction removal tools for jammed cases
- High-quality tools for fine cleaning
- Optics cleaning gear for care and maintenance of scopes, rangefinders and more
- Tactical Cleaning System for easy carrying
- Extra pockets for additional storage
- The nylon kit-bag might be difficult to use
5. Hoppe's UAC76
- Easy to use tools and accessories
- Efficient brass cleaning rod
- Ideal for shotguns and pistols cleanup
- Swabs for high and low caliber weapons
- Adaptor brass rifle to shotgun
- Cleaning brushes for no-stress cleaning and maintenance
- No cons
6. Allen Ultimate 70540
- Industry standard gun cleaning and maintenance kit
- Heavy-duty 65pc gun cleaning kit
- Dedicated accessory compartments for easy storage
- Labelled space for easy sorting and safekeeping
- Dual tray inserts for additional stirage
- Lockable dual latching lid
- Plenty of storage space for cleaning essentials
- Designed for all common firearm calibers
- Heavy-duty carry handle
- A bit pricey
7. Science Purchase 78GUNKIT
- 24-piece gun cleaning and maintenance kit
- Lightweight yet heavy-duty aluminum casing
- Cleaning rods for easy cleaning
- Ideal for rifles, shotguns and handguns
- Patches for easy and effective cleaning
- Shotgun and pistol handle included
- Questionable brush quality
8. Grip
- Great for all types of pistols, rifles, and shotguns
- Aluminum case for heavy duty storage solution
- Effective cleaning with both rods and brushes
- Wool swaps won’t damage the barrel
- Brass brushed makes cleaning a breeze
- Cleaning cloths for easy cleaning
- No cons
9. Gunmaster TBX96-W
- Heavy-duty 63pc universal cleaning kit for rifles and handguns
- Effective gun cleaning and maintenance
- Keeps your firearms in best condition
- Ideal for high caliber rifles
- Great for handgun users
- Brushes and mops for effective cleanup
- Cleaning patches for pistols and revolvers
- Utility brushes makes cleaning a breeze
- The box drawers might not sit evenly
10. HFS
- Solid brass wire brushes for heavy caliber weapons
- Sturdy aluminum rods for shotguns and hunting rifles
- Great for handgun enthusiasts
- Mops and brushes for easy cleaning
- Universal handles
- Cleaning patches for stress-free cleaning
- No cons
Decision Time
Well, that being said, a reliable, high-quality gun cleaning kit is imperative to a hunter’s shooting endeavors. A good cleaning kit not only keeps your prized firearms in best shape and condition but also makes them ready for action in no time. In the field, each shot counts and the last thing you’d want is faulty equipment ruining your perfect shot. Noting feels better than having a nice hunting rifle and a versatile gun cleaning kit in your possession and sky is the limit. Regular cleaning and maintenance is important to keep your guns functional at all times so that you never miss out on your target in the field. The right tools make all the difference in the field and a gun cleaning kit is no exception. Happy Hunting!
