If you own a firearm, then cleaning it should never become a matter of choice. Your gun, just like the other tools in your garage, has to be appropriately maintained for it to operate the right way.
Any firearm, be it a rifle or a handgun, should be lubricated and cleaned from time to time to ensure long-lasting service and safety.
If you are thinking about the tediousness of the job, remember that, with the best gun cleaning kits in hand, it becomes effortless.
The Basic Accessories
With the multitude of cleaning kits available in the market, selecting one becomes a task, especially if you are a new gun owner.
A good kit should come with some essential components. Some of the must-have accessories you should look out for in a gun cleaning kit are:
- Cleaning patches
- Cleaning rod
- Cleaning chemicals
- Different brushes
- Cotton swab
- Rod end accessories
Here is a brief explanation of various accessories that make up some of the best gun cleaning kits.
Cleaning Patches
Gun cleaning patches are usually made of pure cotton, and they come in different sizes for barrels with different diameters. While cleaning, you can dip or soak the patches in your favorite cleaning solvent and place it on the end of the patch holder.
Other than cotton, patches come in a variety of different fabrics, some thinner than others.
Cleaning Rods
A cleaning rod is an essential accessory in a gun cleaning kit. It is usually made of aluminum or stainless steel, and there will be one or more cleaning rods present in most kits.
Cleaning rods are used for attaching different components in the kit, like patches and brushes. With this, you can clean the bores by dipping the brushes or patches in a solvent.
Cleaning Solvent
When you fire a gun, the internal components will have to deal with friction, high-speed movement, and heat. Over time, these factors can cause the weapon to wear out. Only with a suitable cleaning solvent will you be able to protect the sensitive parts of the gun.
A cleaning solvent is a fluid that removes lead, carbon, and other fouling from the bore. Also called CLP, you can apply the solvent to the metal parts and bores with the help of cleaning patches and brushes.
Brushes
Bore brush and double-ended brushes are two indispensable tools in a gun cleaning kit. Bore brushes, made of either nylon or bronze, are used to clean the residue built up in the bore.
While bronze brushes are used to clean the barrel, the nylon ones are designed to clean the more sensitive parts of the gun.
A double-ended brush, on the other hand, lets you clean the exteriors of the firearm. You can choose a double-ended brush made of different materials like brass, nylon, and stainless steel according to your needs.
Before you buy a gun cleaning kit, you need to know what the best ones in the market offer. The internet is the perfect place to start your research on gun cleaning kits, so you can narrow your list down to one that suits both your budget and your needs.
Remember, a responsible firearm owner must treat the gun as more than just another tool. If you haven’t cleaned your gun for months, it may be time to show it some love and care.