What gun cleaning kit for emergency backpack ?

[moonbat60]

Hey guys !

I'm thinking about including either a Hoppe's boresnake or an Otis gun cleaning kit in my emergency backpack . Which one is the better buy of those ?

I realize that I can't take one of those rod - type cleaning kits with me, as they just consume too much space.

Any input ?


:fal:

Pete

[Plain George]

I would think any drop thru cleaning kit would work.
The real most likely reason for using a cleaning kit that something (mud,ice etc)
got stuck in the barrel...this makes a drop thru cleaning kit kinda iffy...

[moonbat60]

Thanks, Plain George.

As I've just seen in the Cabelas catalog, they are selling a gun cleaning kit similar to the Otis.

I just want to have something neat and small, that covers all or most of my gun calibers ( .308, 9mm, .45, 12 ga. ) and I'll go and buy me 2 or 3 of those .

:fal:

Pete

[Opie]

I would go ahead and get ahold of a cleaning kit that has rod sections...use brass ones and the risk of scarring the bore is lessened. Pull thrus can't knock out something that is plugging the barrel. Two or three rod sections don't take up much space in a SHTF bag, and most will fit inside an M-16 cleaning kit and that will clip to a web belt.

[moonbat60]

Hey Opie !

You've certainly got a point there, using a sectional rod to knock out dirt and debris. A flexing rod or a boresnake certainly can't do that.

Thanks for your input .....


:fal:

Pete

[W.E.G.]

One of the Otis cable jobbies will easily knock out any soft obstruction in the bore. Unless you are planning on letting cement harden in the bore, or you drive a tight wood dowel in it, The Otis cable should be fine.

http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com/images/otis/micro_350.jpg

[Arby]

The Otis system may be flexible, but it doesn't compress. For that reason it is capable of knocking out all but the most stubborn muzzle obstructions. That is something a boresnake cannot do.

I like mine a lot, and use it on virtually every range trip. It's not just for your "to go" bag. The Otis system is particularly useful for Garands, carbines, and M1As, but works well on ARs and FALs, too.

[Andy the Aussie]

Ditto on the on the Otis kits and bore obstruction remover. This is the exact reason I carry one and own several of these.

Andy:beer:

[Windustsearch]

Try an AK47, the cleaning kit comes with the gun, including the rod. Or, take your rod and tape it to inside of your FAL handguard.

[FTW2012]

A Bore Snake is good for a quick clean but won't help you if
a cartrige gets stuck.
Windustsearch has a good point with the AK suggestion
Good calibur, reliable action,
although not a FAL, maybe second best to .308
Segmented cleaning rods in your backpack might do the trick?
Kind of like the .223 military surplus cleaning kits.

[Windustsearch]

Another idea is to go get some of those little spring clamps and epoxy them in your handguards. Like FTW said, a segmented rod should fit in there fine. If you have a buttstock tool, you already have most of the rod, many of the aftermarket or surplus rods are the same size and threading.

I find the pull through type highly annoying for some reason. The couple of them I have never get used.

[moonbat60]

I went to Gander Mtn and to Dick's today, as we've got both of those stores in town, and took a look at Hoppe's Boresnake and the Otis kits. I probably could get to like the Otis tactical cleaning kit, as it covers all of the calibers of my guns and some more.

As I've seen, there's also special round patches for the Otis. Is it necessary to buy those or will other patches work equally well ?

Hey Windustsearch, none of my rifles have any buttstock tool. But the idea of epoxying spring clips into the handguards will only work for my ParaFAL. What kind of spring clips do you use for that ?

TYIA,

:fal:

Pete

[W.E.G.]

I use "regular" patches with my Otis kit.

Those multi-caliber patches are clever, but not necessary. I'm too dense anyway to remember how to fold the multi-caliber patches just right to keep from wedging them in the bore.

[Andy the Aussie]

The Otis patches are a great idea and allow you to have to worry about a sigle type, a little too complex for my head so I have generally used my own 4x2 cut to whatever I am hunting with. My Otis saved a mate of mines weekend away....we were packing into some countyr and were pretty much there ( 6 hr walk) when he went tits up and drove the barrel of his rifle about 6 inches into the black clay. Plugged it up worse than....well..... "the gman's system"...he had no more than a pull through and some oil with him. I believe I said something along the lines of "just a moment while I whip this out"... ;) and produced the Otis. Used the flex rod ond obstruction removed to un-plug the barrel. clean it up and get him back in the game. all up about 20 mins. On the otehr hand I should have left him to suffer as he shot a fine buck around an hour later.

Hope that is of some help......I do appologise for mentioning the gman's bowles and for the Blazing Saddles reference.

Andy:biggrin:

[jwaters]

Not really for emergencies, but here is my filed kit I take to the range:

2 M16 clean rods (throw extra T-handle out, 2 rods necessary for longer rifles)
1 Miltary to standard thread adapter.
1 22 cal jag
1 30 cal jag
1 35 cal jag
1 44 cal jag
22 cal patches
30 cal patches
38-45 cal patches
2oz break free
pipe cleaners
Q-tips
Swaps
M16 toothbrush
Brushes to fit my guns, nylon so they don't corrode.
M16 rod slotted tip
Standard brass slotted tip

It's all in a small plano fishing box. Here is a pic:

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5684/cleaningkit9zn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It has saved my butt a lot. On my AR's I typically carry a kit in the buttstock.

I like the M16 rods, they are strong enough, lightweight. I realize they are steel, but for emergency use, they are ok.

JW

[slakline]

I keep and have used the Otis Kit too. It's Compact and covers most cleaning situations. I use/keep extra regular cotton patches also. I do keep a sectional cleaning rod in my pack for those situations that call for it.

[ftierson]

If for a .30 cal. rifle, pick up one of the Swiss kits in the green tool rolls for the StGw-57. It's not that much bigger than the Otis kits and you end up with a rigid rod too...

Forrest

[Andy the Aussie]

Originally posted by ftierson
and you end up with a rigid rod too.....you seem to get more pleasure out of your cleaning gear than I mate....:rolleyes: :rofl: :rofl: :bigangel:

Andy:cool:

[ftierson]

Originally posted by Andy the Aussie
.....you seem to get more pleasure out of your cleaning gear than I mate....:rolleyes: :rofl: :rofl: :bigangel:

Andy:cool:

Gotta love those rigid rods...

(And I was just waiting for your comment, Andy...:)

Forrest

[Windustsearch]

Moonbat, I am talking the little spring steel ones that hold cupboards shut, or wire clamps, you should be able to find them at a hardware store. The handguards should melt before epoxy does.

[FTW2012]

Originally posted by moonbat60
As I've seen, there's also special round patches for the Otis. Is it necessary to buy those or will other patches work equally well ?

Patches are just little bits of cloth, you can use old sheets or T shirts
anything that will sop up cleaning fluid. I haven't bought patches in years.
Cut it to the size you need & mop away!

[Snakeshot]

Here's how I make aftermarket Otis patches. Square, yes, but the bore doesn't notice.

[Opie]

Originally posted by ftierson
If for a .30 cal. rifle, pick up one of the Swiss kits in the green tool rolls for the StGw-57. It's not that much bigger than the Otis kits and you end up with a rigid rod too...

Forrest

So where can a fella find one of these rolls?

[ftierson]

Good question...

I picked up several from TAPCO when they were closing them out. TAPCO also sold a brass adaptor to fit commercial US brushes on the rod.

At one point, Sportsmans Guide, Cheaper Than Dirt, and several other companies were selling them. I also see them pretty consistently at local gun shows.

Perhaps someone else has seen them advertised recently?

Forrest

[izaakb]

+1 on the Otis, but their little case is crap.

I also cut my own Otis patches, but I use a different knife.. :D

I also use the lead remover patches with it, works fine...

Otis AR packs are issue with the IDF now, which should tell you something about how good they are.. Israel doesn't issue something unless it works well and lasts long and that any grunt can figure out.

[Muggzy]

In a real emergency let me tell ya'll what I did.

I cut a reed and grabbed a patch of grass and wadded it up into a ball and
pushed it down the barrel. (12 gauge slug gun)

Why did I do that? well...'cause...as I was climbing my tree stand the sling
slipped off, over the barrel. The gun did a 1-1/2 gainer and stuck barrel first
into the mud. I had approximately 8" of barrel packed with mud and coming
at me was a doe in heat with a buck following. I remove the barrel from the gun
used my "instant cleaning kit" to push out the mud, reassemble the gun. My first shot hit the buck in the front hoof, the second shot drilled him dead center.

I assume the first shot was off becuase there was still a bit of mud in the barrel.
second shot sure hit where I was aiming though.

Field expediant Kit
:rofl:

[Sword of Laban]

As for the Swiss kit I cleared a Garand squib at a match with mine. Not that Squibs happen all that often with modern ammo.

http://store1.yimg.com/I/magnumboot_1868_1240697

http://www.magnumboot.com/magnumboot/swargunclkit.html

http://www.nulime.com/p69278/cat1574/Outdoor-Sporting-Goods/Firearms-Hunting/Swiss-Gun-Cleaning-Kit.html

http://www.ecopeia.com/product_info.php?products_id=7827&osCsid=ad8bf272457b5d5ea9156f63df64070a

[Xenogy]

I use the otis kit in the field straped to my webgear and at home. The bore brushes are superior and patches can pull out the smaller stuff that the cheap ones can't reach. I use the cheap patches first and when the bore is clean I pull an otis patch through to get the last bit that the cheap ones can't get. The little bottle that it comes with it I refill with Breakfree CLP.

[ftierson]

Thanks, SoL, for the ordering links...

These are great kits, guys, and for $4 you can have one. As a matter of fact, get several... You won't be sorry...

Forrest

[moonbat60]

Thanks for the input, gentlemen !

Getting back to izaakb's post, if the IDF uses the Otis, they can't be that bad. From what I know, most any stuff fielded by the IDF has proven itself and seems to be " soldier - proof " ( I'm not talking about soldier - safe here , lol ! ) .

I'll try and get me one of the Swiss , or see if they got any at one of the next gun shows in my area.

The Otis tactical ( all caliber ) sells for $39.99 locally. Any comments on the price ?

:fal:

Pete

[Snakeshot]

Originally posted by moonbat60
Thanks for the input, gentlemen !



The Otis tactical ( all caliber ) sells for $39.99 locally. Any comments on the price ?

:fal:

Pete
That is the current retail price.
I picked mine up new off of fleaBay for 40 shipped, so no sales tax.

[ftierson]

By the way, I mean no slight of the Otis kits because I think that they're quite good...

But, $4 versus $40...

Hmmm

Let me think...

Forrest

[ftierson]

Damn, now that I'm reminded of it I feel the strong urge to order another ten Swiss kits or so...

Of course, I already have about a dozen of them.

Damn my obsessive/compulsive affliction anyway...

Time to check on a Paxel prescription...

Oh, wait, buying the cleaning kits is cheaper...

:)

Forrest

[Andy the Aussie]

The swiss kits are great for a 7.62 rifle and I have one myself. I have yet been unable to obtain the adaptor so I can use US brushes on it. as a result it presently resides in back of the junk cupboard.

Andy:biggrin: