The best piece of gun cleaning equipment...

[Owen Sparks]

I see threads here all the time about using solvents to clean guns with that are not really made for cleaning guns. But what about alternitive cleaning equipment? Beyond a rod, rag and bore brush I have found nothing handier than an air compressor. It quickly and easily blows out unburned powder from your AR lower or shotgun receiver. Pressurized air gets up in tiny crevices and holes and with a good application of Breakfree, it can bilge out some assemblies like a shotgun bolt without having to take it all the way down every time. It can blow sand out of magazines that have been dropped and clean the dust off scope lenses. I even used it to fix a flat tire once

 

[mustang_steve]

paper towels...great for cleaning spots in the pistol that cleaning patches just won't do well in (like the grip of my pistol, run a solvent soaked paper towel a few times, then shove a massive paper towle ball through there and boom, clean.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Second to the air compressor, I would have to say pipe cleaners as unconventional cleaning equipment. I would add an old toothbrush but they now make "toothbrushes" for gun cleaning with brass and nylon bristles.

 

[Erik M]

Here is a second vote for a toothbrush, I know I go through q-tips like crazy as well.

 

[BacSi67]

cleaning equipment

How about an electric toothbrush for cleaning? Works for me everytime.
BacSi

 

[Owen Sparks]

Yea I forgot about Q-Tips, use them all the time.

Never thought about an electric tooth brush before though.

 

[xcgates]

Free time, and a warm building.

Seriously, for a couple years while I was in college, I was stuck cleaning my guns in the cold during winter, as they went right back into a storage unit.

Oh, boy, a comfortable environment to clean in is a great pleasure!

 

[rscalzo]

nothing handier than an air compressor

Not a good move. A standard air compressor during the warmer more humid months compress both the air and the mousture contained in it. That's the reason you have to drain the storage tank every so often to avoid rust.

The standard blowgun nozzle will short moisture into the internals of the firearm. Not good for preventative maintenance. If a compressor is going to be used, a receiver/dryer must be installed in-line. More home store have them at reasonable cost. They are standard equipment in any refinishing shop setups.

Here is a second vote for a toothbrush

Brushes are sold in auto parts stores that stand up to the solvents a bit better.

 

[glassman]

I was stuck cleaning my guns in the cold during winter

Boy, ain't that the truth. My wife isn't fond of the solvent oder left in 'her' house so I wind up in the unheated garage when time comes to clean my guns. As far as tools...I work in an operating room and look for instruments that are going to be thrown out for reasons such as rust, things being bent, etc. I have found that neurosurgical instruments are best as they usualy have small pointy tips. Great for getting into tight places.

 

[Sawblade]

I love those tough double-sided toothbrushes that come in the M16 cleaning kit.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Boresnakes. Brilliant invention.

 

[Leanwolf]

Hard to come up with "the best," but I'd surely hate to be without my surplus dental pics.

Amazing just how handy those various shaped pics are and can get into the oddest places on rifles, handguns, and shotguns.

L.W.

 

[killchain]

Two inch paint brush and CLP.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Heavy-duty wooden toothpicks. Perfect for getting into slots and under extractors.

 

[bigfatdave]

Chopsticks

Cheap cotton swabs (they seem to be wound tighter than a name-brand Q-Tip)

Toothpicks

Canned air (I'd use a compressor if I had the space, the moisture isn't that bad if you maintain your receiver)

 

[alohachris]

Do those heated ultrasonic cleaners do anything? Are they worth the $$?

 

[Waywatcher]

•Copper Chore Boy pads cut up into 'patches'
•Q-Tips
•Toothbrushes
•Make patches out of flannel from fabric stores
•Make Ed's Red clp for about $0.97 per pint

The only thing I still buy normally is bore brushes.

 

[lwknight]

The jag wrapped with pieces of old bedsheet.

 

[Sgt_R]

Breakfree CLP
Boresnake(s)
Nylon brush
Dental picks
Lint free shop towels

And a sheet of plastic to put down on the kitchen table, so I can throw the whole mess in the trash when I'm finished.

R

 

[Toaster]

Anyone have any great ideas for .17 HMR? I love my rifle but cleaning that bore is an exercise in aggravation.

 

[XxWINxX94]

+1 to Toothbrushes & Paper Towels.

 

[EddieNFL]

Not a good move. A standard air compressor during the warmer more humid months compress both the air and the mousture contained in it. That's the reason you have to drain the storage tank every so often to avoid rust.

That's the reason you use a filter dryer. Been using a compressor for at least two decades. No rust yet.

 

[jcwit]

Just a tip, Harbor Freight has an in line filter dryer for the outlandish sum of $8.00.

 

[Blackrock]

I keep a can of Canned Air on the bench.

 

[Lakeshore]

Toothbrush. As an added plus the next time I use it my breath smells like Hoppes.