Regardless of how much you use your firearm, it will collect unwanted buildup over prolonged periods. Gun enthusiasts know that it only takes two or three trips to the range before your firearms need cleaning. And for that, you need a high-quality gun cleaning kit.
Now, cleaning your firearms is not just for aesthetics; it's an important part of the overall firearm maintenance. The dirt accumulated on the exterior and interior of your firearm can also cause minor and major malfunctions, accuracy issues, and worst of all – corrosion. Cleaning and maintenance prevent these issues, which is why it's essential to own a cleaning kit.
Now, cleaning your gun is quite manageable with your standard gun cleaning kit. However, purchasing a high-quality kit makes all the difference in having a chore, or cleaning your gun with joy. That's why we compiled a list of some of the best gun cleaning kits out there. We also compiled a buyer's guide that will familiarize you with gun cleaning kits, and explain what to look for when looking for one. Here's a rundown of best gun cleaning kits:
Best Gun Cleaning Kits:
Gloryfire Universal Gun Cleaning Kit
GLORYFIRE Universal Gun Cleaning Kit...
This cleaning kit features all the tools necessary for cleaning standard caliber rifles, shotguns and handguns, packed into a relatively compact case. The overall design keeps all the different high-quality tools well-organized and in place for easier access and use. It' also includes lubricating oil and features quite a reasonable price.
When it comes to the essentials, this kit is well-equipped. It comes with six reinforces, solid brass cleaning rods that are tough and durable, and cover .17-.270 caliber rifles, and .30 caliber handguns rifles and shotguns. This kit also features fourteen bronze wire brushes paired with cleaning rods, and nine bore mops, for cleaning the barrel of your firearm.
For finishing touches on the barrel, the manufacturer included thirteen plastic spear-pointed cleaning jags, along with four slotted patch holders. Of course, you can't clean the bore without cotton patches, and the kit contains 50 of them, leaving you responsible for obtaining the cleaning solvent. But what cleaning patches do for the inner beauty of your firearm, the included polishing cloths will do the same for the exterior. Apart from polishing cloths, you're also provided with three different single-sided utility brushes, three muzzle guards, and three accessory adapters.
Overall, the Glorifire Universal gun cleaning kit is an excellent product for owners of several different firearms. It's of good quality, portable, and provides a good bang for your buck. Pun fully intended.
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Hoppe’s No.9 Deluxe Gun Cleaning Kit
Hoppe’s is a well-established brand in the world of gun-cleaning products, and their No. 9 Deluxe is one of the best universal kits out there. It's a fantastic all-purpose gun cleaning kit that includes a generous amount of their proprietary cleaning solvent, along with outstanding lubricating oil. It might be a few pieces short when compared to the previous item on our list, but this kit counts the most important tools for cleaning.
Besides the high-quality solvent and lubrication oil, the kit includes a three-piece brass rod, which makes the kit extremely versatile. The swivel handle mounted on the first rod allows for straightforward use. Four slotted patch holders are mounted as extensions to the rods, along with a pack of cleaning patches, and a silicone cleaning cloth. Of course, the kit features five brass brushes of varying sizes to fit .22 and .30 rifles, .38 caliber handguns, and 20- and 12-gauge shotguns.
Unfortunately, apart from the silicone cleaning cloth, the kit doesn’t contain a set of brushes for external cleaning. Though you can clean the exterior of your firearm without them, we feel that they would be a nice addition to the kit. Still, without them and the additional tools you might deem necessary, the kit retains its compact format and portability.
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BOOSTEDY Universal Handgun Cleaning Kit
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BOOSTEADY Universal Handgun Cleaning kit...
BOOSTEDY Universal Handgun cleaning kit sits among the best-selling handgun cleaning kits on the market. It’s a miniature, yet essential, 16-piece cleaning kit designed exclusively for handguns, that features a lifetime warranty on specific parts, and surprisingly affordable price.
The kit itself is surprisingly comprehensive, as it includes two brass cleaning rods and four bronze brushes of varying sizes for bore cleaning. For finishing touches on the barrel, and the removal of the excess solvent, the manufacturer provided four spear-pointed jags and two slotted patch holders. And while they included 100 cleaning patches, they also omitted any cleaning solvent, which you'll have to buy separately.
For the exterior, BOOSTEADY offers a nylon cleaning brush that attaches to the handle provided for the rods. It does a pretty good job of removing loose grime and dirt, but it will wear off eventually. You can remove harder pieces of dirt and grime by using a steel pick provided in the kit. However, we advise caution, as you might scratch your handgun with it, so use it carefully.
Overall, BOOSTEADY Handgun cleaning kit is, for a reason, one of the top best-selling products for gun cleaning. It's an excellent, affordable product that should last you for a long time.
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Gloryfire Universal Gun Cleaning Kit Elite
GLORYFIRE Gun Cleaning Kit Elite...
Though we already mentioned a similar gun cleaning kit from Gloryfire on our list, the Elite package is of notably higher quality. We can comfortably say that it’s an upgraded version of the previous model, that features several additional pieces, and a slightly higher price point.
First off, you get two three-pieces cleaning rods of specialized material that's far more durable than other metals. Put together; they reach a cumulative length of 38 inches, which is suitable for firearms with longer barrels. With them, you get seven machine-milled high-quality brass cleaning jags and four slotted patch holders of the same material.
This gun cleaning kit truly shines when it comes to bore cleaning brushes. It's equipped with 18 different brushed made of iron core and high-quality brass bristles, for a variety of firearm calibers. All the brushes, and other pieces of equipment included in the kit, are neatly organized and labeled according to the respective caliber. This is a small quality-of-life feature that saves you a lot of time when looking for a specific tool within the kit.
Other than what we already mentioned, the kit also includes nine bore cleaning mops, three brushes for external cleaning, muzzle guards, and accessory adapters. In short, the Gloryfire Universal Gun Cleaning Kit Elite has all your firearms clean and in working condition.
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SHOTAIM Gun Cleaning Kit
SHOTAIM Gun Cleaning Kit Universal...
SHOTAIM's Universal Gunn Cleaning Kit comes in two variations, in which the one with plastic parts, features a more affordable price. Still, regardless of which variety you choose, we'll review the cleaning kit as a whole, and mention the difference in variations.
The first notable difference between these variants hides in the number of parts included in each set – and it’s non-existent. All jokes aside, both types feature precisely the same number of components. You get two three-piece cleaning rods, with 14 different brass brushes and nine bore mops for cleaning the barrel of your firearm.
The kit includes 13 cleaning jags and four slotted patch holders which are either made of plastic or machine-milled brass, depending on what type you choose. Both the plastic and brass are of higher-quality, and aren't likely to lose shape, or break. Still, brass is a slightly better idea if you're willing to pay a bit more money.
For external maintenance, both sets feature three different brushes, made from stainless steel, brass, and nylon, which allow you to get into every nook and cranny. To make your firearm really shiny, the manufacturer included four polishing cloths in both sets.
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Otis Elite Gun Cleaning Kit
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Otis Technology The Otis Elite
This praiseworthy gun cleaning kit deserved a place on our list. Made by Otis Technologies, this gun cleaning kit contains almost every tool necessary for cleaning a wide variety of guns and firearms. So, if you own anything from .17 to .50 caliber, and any gauge shotgun, this cleaning kit might suit you the best.
The Otis Elite is all about variety, as it features several different tools that cover maintenance work for different caliber firearms. Besides the included cleaning rods, the kit also has various attachments that are suitable for removing stuck casings, mud, snow, and dirt. The rods also double as pin punches, and feature additional scrapers, brushes and points that clean the interior of your firearm, and the exterior.
It also includes six 8”-32” long memory cables with thread connectors, made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which should allow you easier breech-to muzzle cleaning. But the good stuff doesn’t end there, as the kit includes proprietary CLP solvent, which cleans, lubricates and protects the insides, and outsides of your firearm. Pair that with two-inch and three-inch cotton cleaning patches, and a polishing cloth, and you have a complete gun cleaning kit.
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Allen Company Ultimate Gun Cleaning Kit
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Allen Company Ultimate Universal Weapon...
Allen Company Ultimate Gun Cleaning Kit is probably one of the most comprehensive gun maintenance kits on our list and the market. It ships out in a sturdy 15"x10"x8.75" toolbox with dual latches and feature 65 different gun cleaning tools and supplies. With all the included tools and the performance it delivers, this kit is regarded as a professional-grade product, well deserving of its popularity and outstanding reputation.
As we mentioned, the toolbox comes equipped with a wide range of professional cleaning tools. You get 12 and 20 gauge, and .410 bronze bore brushes for cleaning your shotguns, as well as appropriate cotton bore swabs for applying finishing touches. And additional .17 - .54 bronze bore brushes for cleaning your rifles and handguns, also with the proper bore swabs. These are all attachable to three-piece brass cleaning rods with removable T-handle.
The Allen Company provided a steel pick to remove any hardened grime from the exterior, as well as certain parts of the interior of your firearm. They also included several cleaning patches and polishing cloths to bring that extra shine onto your gun.
All tools and attachments are neatly sorted into their dedicated compartments, which provides a well-organized and quick access to the desired tools. We didn’t account for all the tools in our review; however, we want to point out that the toolbox provides extra space for cleaning solvents and oils. Unfortunately, those aren’t included in the kit, though it would greatly benefit from them.
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Allen Company Ruger Handgun Cleaning Kit
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Allen Company Ruger Universal Handgun...
We already established, in this article, that Allen Company manufactures high-quality cleaning kits, similar to the product we mentioned above. The product we’re discussing now is their gun cleaning kit, specially designed and equipped for cleaning handguns of various calibers.
The entirety of this kit fits inside the small plastic casing and contains a three-piece cleaning rod with a T-handle and several cleaning attachments. The case is neatly organized and features a removable tray that offers ample space for small hardware. Among the cleaning attachments, there are three bronze brushes that fit .380ACP, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, 9mm, 10mm, .40 cal, .44 Magnum, and .45ACP.
Besides the bore cleaning bronze brushes, the kit contains accompanying bore cleaning cotton mops, brass machine-milled jags, and a single slotted patch holder. Needless to say, the manufacturer provided 20, highly-absorbing cleaning cotton patches, but omitted any chemical solvent, cleaner or lubricant.
Still, the Ruger Handgun Cleaning Kit represents a high-quality product that will allow you to keep your handgun clean and maintain its firing performance.
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Otis Elite Range Box
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Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box with...
This cleaning kit is aimed at professional shooters and owners of extensive gun collections, as it features all the tools necessary for cleaning a wide range of calibers. It allows you to clean and protect all types of pistols, rifles, muzzleloaders, and shotguns, and prepare them for the next hunting season, or storage.
The 60-piece cleaning kit comes in a well-made and well-organized plastic case, containing all the tools needed for proper gun care. All the tools are made from high-quality materials and suit specific firearms. Most notably, you get four specific multi-piece rods for 9mm, 12 gauge, .308, .223 and .22 caliber. As the previous Otis product from our list, this kit also provides four Ripcords® for the quick cleaning in the field.
However, experienced gun owners know that a quick-field assembly of MSR and AR guns isn't as easy as it sounds. Luckily, the kit comes with a proprietary BONE® tool, which allows you to disassemble and reassemble these guns with speed. You can also treat them with proprietary FP-10 Lubricant, and a 10cc syringe of All-Weather Grease.
Additionally, you get several handy cleaning tools, such as different bronze brushes for internal and external cleaning, cleaning mops, bore cables, jags, and slotted holders. In conclusion, the Elite Range Box will fit nicely in any firearms enthusiast’s gun collection.
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DAC Winchester Super Deluxe
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DAC Winchester Super Deluxe Soft Sided...
The DAC Winchester Super Deluxe kit offers all the best cleaning items a gun cleaning kit can offer. It comes in a soft-sided case of more straightforward design, which does an excellent job of protecting the cleaning tools inside, keeping them neatly organized, and safely in place.
The DAC Winchester contains a generous set of cleaning tools that's suitable for fourteen different calibers, including brushed, mops, jags, and slotted holders. All tools are neatly organized and labeled according to their respective calibers, for easier identification. But what sets this kit apart are the accompanying cleaning chemicals and screwdrivers, making it into a truly versatile product.
The kit is ideal for cleaning any firearm from .17 to .540 caliber, which makes it incredibly popular amongst hunters and owners of extensive gun collections. Thanks to the customizable EVA case, the kit is easily portable, and usable both indoors and out in the field. So, if you’re looking for a perfect blend of performance and portability, give this Super Deluxe kit a chance.
It's one of the largest kits on the market that offers unparalleled versatility and provides you with means to safely and expediently clean your firearms.
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Buyer’s Guide
When purchasing your first, or new, gun cleaning kit, it must come with the required tools for your gun. Most gun kits are universal; however, there are specialized kits for rifles, shotguns, handguns, etc. that come with a wide range of caliber specifications. Still, some differences exist, and we're here to explain what exactly makes a high-quality gun cleaning kit.
Gun cleaning kits of higher quality come with a set of essential tools, some (though not all) optional tools, and chemical solvents. Even so, some kits don't contain chemical solvents, which can be a good, or bad thing, depending on your viewpoint. But before we discuss the solvents and all the different tools included in the best gun cleaning kits, let's talk about the package or the carrying case.
The carrying case
Far from being a vital necessity, carrying cases can tell you a lot about the quality of the kit in question. You can assess the quality of the kit by inspecting the materials of the case, and it's content and the components it includes. Cheaper kits feature fewer components, or fewer gauge variations, and they tend to break or bend more quickly in the middle of your maintenance.
The best gun cleaning kits should be reliable and sturdy. They're made of more durable, high-quality materials, and feature a more robust design, and include more versatile tools. Of course, they also cost reasonably more because of this, when compared to lower-quality products.
The essential tools
Essential tools are tools that every gun cleaning kit consists of. These include bore brushes, mops, swabs, cleaning jags, cleaning patches, and patch holders, rods, oils, and solvents. When it comes to higher-quality kits, these tools come in different shapes, sizes, and material variations. So, let's look them over:
- Bronze bore brushes – as their name suggests, they're used to extract the carbon buildup in the bore or the interior of the barrel of your firearm. They usually come in different sizes, as to fit different calibers, and should be made of high-quality bronze, to prevent scratching the bore during cleaning. High-quality gun cleaning kits usually feature the first-rate bronze bore brushes of varying sizes.
- Nylon brushes – these aren’t as common as bronze brushes, but they’re fantastic for cleaning more sensitive part of your firearms, or parts that are hard to reach. But unlike bronze, nylon brushes tend to wear out faster, so use them sparingly.
- Bore mops – otherwise known as cleaning swabs, are used to remove smaller pieces of buildup and oils that are still present in the barrel of your firearm. As such, they’re usually used for cleaning the bore, after the bronze bore brush, and like bronze brushes, they come in different sizes. They tend to soak up the buildup and oils, which is why it’s a good idea to wash them after every use.
- Cleaning patches – cleaning patches are small squares of cotton fabric that are used on the cleaning jag to remove and residual solvent from the bore. Though they are included with the majority of kits, they're single-use only, so remember to replace them. Luckily, they're also sold separately, for when you run out of patches.
- Cleaning jags – Cleaning jags are used along with the cleaning patches for the final stages of cleaning the bore of your firearm. They're made of brass, nickel or plastic, and feature a sharp point that's used to pierce the cleaning patch.
- Slotted patch holders – these slotted holders are an alternative to cleaning jags, as they have a slot through which you insert the patch, instead of piercing it. Slotted patch holders are usually cheaper than jags, and somewhat harder to use, which is why they're commonly found it more inexpensive kits. Still, with a little practice, you can achieve the same cleaning results as with cleaning jags.
- Utility brushes – these brushes are used to clean every nook and cranny of your firearm's exterior. They're usually made of stainless steel, and brass, though you can find ones made of nylon. Utility brushes come in a wide variety, and you can find double-ended, double-sided, or single-sided brushes.
- Cleaning rods – Cleaning rods are the most vital part of every gun cleaning since they feed the cleaning tools down the bore of your gun. You should look for a gun cleaning kit that features several different cleaning rods, or at least those that are appropriate for your gun. You can't clean your rifle with a small cleaning rod that's more suitable for your handgun.
- Cleaning solvents – though omitted from certain high-quality kits, solvents are essential when it comes to firearm maintenance. They're used for cleaning and removing the residues and dirt from your firearm, and should match the type of ammo you're using. Also, it's a good idea to use a high-quality product from a trusted manufacturer.
- Oils – oils are an essential step of maintaining your firearm since they act as lubricants for all the mechanical components of your gun. As a final step of the cleaning process, oil also serves to help prevent corrosion and corrosive damage.
Optional Tools
Optional tools are helpful when cleaning firearms but aren't necessarily included in the cleaning kit. The reason behind that is because they can be bought in almost any better-equipped hardware store. These include screwdrivers, pin punches, magnifier, all sorts of clamps, specialized chemical solvents, etc.
- Bore snakes – Nothing can replace your gun cleaning brushes, but bore snakes come pretty close. They're nylon cord with a bronze brush woven into the cord, and a cleanings swab woven at the end, or the tail of the bore snake. Bore snakes are flexible cleaning rods, designed in a way that allows you to draw them through the barrel of your firearm. Of course, they're not as effective as cleaning brushes, but they're good if you want to give your gun a quick cleaning.
- CLP solvents – CLP solvents are all-in-one cleaning and lubrication solution (stands for Clean-Lubricate-Protect). As with the bore snakes, they're fantastic for quick cleaning, but shouldn't replace the conventional solvents and oils.
- Pin punches – Cleaning your gun usually requires you to remove several pins, to disassemble it. Now, pins are notoriously hard to extract without proper tools, which is why you should invest in pin punches. Pin punches are small rods made in different sizes, and of different materials, like plastic, steel, or brass. Plastic is excellent, as it won't scratch your firearm, but it doesn't go along with the process of pin removal, which includes hammering. Steel punches are best for small pins, but they're more likely to scratch your gun if you aren't careful. Brass is the best option here, as it's soft enough not to damage your firearm, yet durable enough to withstand slight hammering for prolonged periods.
- Screwdrivers – You might've heard that you can use just about any set of screwdrivers to disassemble a firearm completely. While that is true, you're better off purchasing a set of gunsmithing screwdrivers, as they're quite versatile. As such, they're a worthwhile investment, especially for those with an extensive firearm collection.
- Magnifier – regardless of whether or not you have a healthy vision, investing in a magnifier is always a good idea. Sure, you can manage without it, but it allows you to see your firearm in greater detail.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a hunter, a shooter, or a firearms collector, cleaning your gun is crucial if you want to keep them in a working condition. We hope our list, and our buyer’s guide, helped you pick a product that best gun cleaning kit that will suit your needs. For owners of extensive gun collections, we recommend Otis Elite Range Box, which is our top pick. But if you’re looking for something more affordable, Gloryfire Universal Gun Cleaning Kit Elite might be the perfect solution.