The Best Gun Cleaning Brushes: Top 5

January 16, 2023 By Edwin Leave a Comment

As a gun owner, having a well-maintained gun is a point of pride. Cleaning your gun regularly is not only a way to keep it looking good, but it also keeps it firing correctly. It’s one of the basic maintenance necessities for your firearms. But to do a proper cleaning job, you need suitable gun cleaning kits.

When cleaning your guns, one of the things you’ll need are good gun cleaning brushes. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best gun cleaning brushes your money can buy. You have to invest in the top cleaning tools if you want the best for your weapon.

So, Which Are The Best Gun Cleaning Brushes?

Gun cleaning brushes are an essential tool for your cleaning process. Choosing which is best for you depends on many factors. These include effectiveness at removing buildup, the right size, and what part of your gun its best suited for.

At the very least, the brush you choose should be effective at cleaning. It should also be able to remove residue without leaving scratches on your weapon. Some brushes also make certain buildups easier to clean, saving you time and energy.

Here are five of the top solutions when it comes to the best brushes for gun cleaning. These high quality brushes are all unique in their own way.

Best Gun Cleaning Brushes: Review

1. The Otis Technology Blue Nylon All Purpose Gun Cleaning Brush

This is one of the best nylon gun cleaning brushes you can use for your gun’s basic maintenance. It comes in a 10-pack and also has a 50-pack alternative. The bristles are stiff, which means it offers more aggressive cleaning for your gun.

Best of all, it cleans without leaving any scratch marks so you can be sure that your weapon is safe. With the Otis technology pistol cleaning kit, you can easily say goodbye to fresh carbon deposit or powder residue. It also comes with a large end for scrubbing large surfaces and a smaller end for precision cleaning.

If you need a brush that works perfectly on wood, coated metal, and stainless steel, this is the pick for you. Also, you can use these brushes to clean more than just firearms. They’re great for cleaning other surfaces in your home, too.

Specifications

Package Dimensions ‏ ‎– 8.78” (L) x 3.98” (W) x 0.79” (H)
Weight – 2.93 ounces
Color – Grey with blue bristles
Brush Dimensions Width: 0.4” (H) x 7” (L)
Bristle Material – Nylon
Manufacturer ‏ – Otis Products, Inc.
Made In – USA

Pros

All-purpose cleaning
More aggressive cleaning
No scratch marks
Large end with more bristles for cleaning large surfaces
The smaller end for more precision cleaning
Works on wood, metal, and steel
Quantity alternatives
Made in the USA

Cons

Brushes might become discolored with use
Limited to basic maintenance

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2. The SE 10-Piece Double-Ended Gun Cleaning Brush Set

These double-ended gun cleaning brushes are perfect for cleaning your gun and its hard-to-reach places. It’s versatile in cleaning and comes with a seven-inch-long brush. The handle is plastic, with the bristles attached at both ends.

The larger end of this brush has three bristles, while the smaller ends have one row of bristles. The bristles are made of quality nylon, which means that you’ll get an excellent clean. It comes in a pack of ten and is perfect for maintaining pistols, rifles, and other equipment.

Specifications

Item Dimensions – 4.75” (L) x 0.7” (W) x 7” (H)
Item Weight – 3.52 ounces
Brush length – 7″
Large brush length – 1-1/2″
Small brush length – 1″
Color – Black handle with white brushes
Bristle Material – Nylon
Handle Material – Plastic
Manufacturer – ‎Sona Enterprises
Licensed – USA
Made in – China

Pros

Double ended bristles
The large end for bigger surfaces
The smaller end for more versatility
Nylon bristles for a great clean
It can take a lot of abuse
Licensed in the USA
All-purpose cleaning

Cons

It comes in only a 10-piece set
Bristles may become discolored with age because of the white color
Made in China

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3. The Maximal Power Brass Firearm Cleaning Double-Ended Brushes

The Maximal power brash brush is perfect for cleaning your pistol, rifle, and shotgun. It comes with brush bristles made of brass, which means that these gun cleaning brushes are even better at cleaning than the nylon bristles we saw above.

It’s also double-ended, so this model still gives you versatility with cleaning. There are some tough stains that these bronze brushes can take out that brushes with nylon bristles cannot. The cleaning power of this brush can get debris, grime, and carbon residue off your weapon.

It also does not scratch steel or coated metal surfaces because the bristles are soft. This leaves you with a firearm that is thoroughly cleaned and well maintained. It’s made in the USA and is excellent for all-purpose cleaning of weapons.

Specifications

Color – Black handle with brass colored brushes
Bristle Material – Bronze
Handle Material – Plastic
Brush thread – 8-32
Manufacturer – America Digital Accessories
Made and Licensed – USA

Pros

Better cleaning than nylon bristles
Made in the USA with 24/7 customer service
Double-ended
More cleaning options for residue from barrels
The large end for big surfaces
The smaller end for more challenging to reach places and precision cleaning
Brushes are soft, so no worries about scratches

Cons

Only a ten-piece set offered
Brushes are too soft and so cannot withstand too much pressure without bending all over
Bristles are pretty thin and can barely take abuse

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4. The Motanar 10-Pack Double-Ended All-Purpose Gun Cleaning Brushes

If you want choices, the Motanar 10-Pack Double-Ended All-Purpose Gun Cleaning Brushes offer you three great options when it comes to their gun cleaning brushes. You can order a brass, nylon, or copper brush. The first two work for general cleaning, although the brass brush can take out some tougher stains that the nylon cannot.

The brush with steel bristles is, however, for specific types of cleaning. The stainless steel is perfect for heavier deposits on your firearm. That means you can clean your weapon perfectly without having to scrub too hard.

The brushes all come in 10-piece sets and are double-ended. So, you have the large end for bigger surface cleans and the smaller end to get into spaces that your hand usually can’t fit into. These brushes are also versatile and great for all-purpose cleaning.

The gun cleaning brushes can also take some aggressive use during your cleaning session, especially the brushes with nylon bristles. Monatar brushes offer a good value for money spent on their ten-piece sets.

Specifications

Item Dimensions – ‎ 6.3” (L) x 5.91” (W) x 0.39” (H)
Package Weight – 3.88 Ounces
Item Weight – 3.52 Ounces
Color – Black handle bristle color depends on the material
Product Material – Copper, Nylon, Brass
Product Color – Black
Product Size – 6-3/4″
Product Count – 10
Handle Material – Plastic
Manufacturer – Motanar

Pros

Different bristle materials offered
Works for cleaning all kinds of residue
Double-ended brush
The big end for cleaning big surfaces
The small end for entering hard to reach places and cleaning
Steel brush helps to clean heavier deposits

Cons

Only ten pieces set available
Brass bristles may be too malleable

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5. The TACBRO 10PCS Double-Ended Nylon Gun Cleaning Brush Set (10 PC)

These are another double-ended gun cleaning brushes made with nylon bristles that are optimized for cleaning your firearm. The large end is made of nylon bristles in three rows for effective cleaning. The smaller end is made up of one row of nylon bristles to get those hard-to-reach places.

This nylon utility brush can enter places where your hand cannot, to get out residue. It comes in a pack of 10 brushes and also offers customers one free aluminum opener with their order. These gun cleaning brushes are a stellar option for lightly and efficiently cleaning your firearms.

Specifications

Package Dimensions ‏ – ‎7.7” (L) x 5.8” (W) x 0.6” (H)
Package Weight – 3.99 Ounces
Product Material – Nylon
Product Color – Black with white bristles
Product Size – 6.69″ (L)
Product Count – 10
Handle Material – Plastic
Manufacturer – TACBRO

Pros

Double-ended cleaning brush
Bristle made with nylon for better cleaning
Bristles are firm and stiff, so they’re excellent for scrubbing
Leaves no scratches on your weapon
The big end for cleaning large surface areas
There’s a smaller end for hard-to-reach spots
Free aluminum opener

Cons

Only 10-piece pack available
Bristles will change color after a while

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Quick Buying Guide

Rest assured, all the gun cleaning brushes reviewed are of the highest quality and will do their cleaning perfectly. They’ll all clean your firearm and get the carbon residue out of places that your hand can’t reach. However, each is unique, and excels in different areas.

Depending on what you’re looking for, you should know these peculiarities. So here are some vital characteristics of good gun cleaning brushes and which of these brushes shine.

Cleaning

The nylon, brass, and steel gun cleaning brushes all clean differently. What brass and steel gun cleaning brushes will take out might sometimes take nylon longer to remove. Steel bristles, in particular, are recommended for caked-on powder residue.

However, for the safety of your firearm and light cleaning, a nylon brush might be all you need. The Motanar 10-Pack Double-Ended All-Purpose Gun Cleaning Brushes offers you all three options to pick from, depending on your needs. The Maximal Power Brass Firearm Cleaning Double-Ended Brush has brass bristles.

All the rest are made of nylon bristles for your regular cleaning.

Rating

These are Amazon products, so they’ve been conveniently rated by customers who have used them. Since these are the best gun cleaning brushes, all of them score at 4 out of 5 stars.

The highest-rated are the OTIS, SE, and TACBRO gun cleaning brushes. Customers found them exceptional in offering durability, sturdiness, and value for money.

Free Perks

Who doesn’t love to get free perks alongside their purchase, offering them even more value for their money? Well, when you purchase the TACBRO 10PCS Double-Ended Nylon Gun Cleaning Brush Set, you get a free aluminum opener.

The Maximal Power Brass Firearm Cleaning Double-Ended Brushes are made in the USA and offer customers 24/7 customer service. This can be a lifeline if you’re a newbie who could use some extra help, or just have questions concerning your gun cleaning brushes.

Alternatives

As mentioned earlier, you can either go for a nylon, brass, or steel bristle. They each play a role in the type of cleaning you’re trying to carry out.

The Motanar 10-Pack Double-Ended All-Purpose Gun Cleaning Brushes delivers the option to choose which one is best for you. They all come in 10-piece packs and are pretty durable.

Quantity

Depending on how often you use your weapons and how many of them you have, you might need to have many of these brushes handy. Most of the gun cleaning brushes here come in a 10-piece set, making this decision easy for you.

However, the Otis Technology Blue Nylon All Purpose Gun Cleaning Brushes offers a 50-pack option for customers who need more brushes.

Other Essential Gun Cleaning Tools

Besides bronze bore brushes and double-end brushes, there are some other tools you may want to consider in order to properly clean your gun.

Cleaning Patches

Cleaning patches are placed in the slotted patch holder or on the end of the cleaning jag and dipped in a cleaning solvent of your choosing. Then, with a jag, you push through the bore and the chambers slowly.

Cleaning patches can be made out of various fabrics, and some of those fabrics are thicker than others. For instance, they can be made out of wool or cotton. When you’re purchasing a cleaning patch, make sure that you pay attention to the material that it’s made out of.

Cleaning Rods

When it comes to essential gun cleaning tools, cleaning rods are a definite must-have. They’re used for cleaning the bore of a gun. Cleaning rods can be bought in different gauges, calibers, and lengths.

Gun Mop/Cleaning Swab

A gun mop, or a cleaning swab, is used in the same way that a brush is used. The cleaning swab is typically made out of cotton and its intention is to remove any residue that’s leftover in the barrel of the gun. After all of the excess residue is removed from the barrel, you can also remove all of the extra oil that’s in your gun’s barrel by using a cleaning swab.

Cleaning Jag

You can use a cleaning jag to thoroughly clean the bore by placing a cotton cleaning patch in the middle of the cleaning jag. Most cleaning jacks are either brass or nickel-plated, which means that the inner barrel won’t get any scratches. Since solvent can dry out and cause the metal to rust, it’s essential that you make sure that all of the solvent is removed.

Luster Cloth

A special type of cloth that has been treated with a silicone lubricant is called a luster cloth. A luster cloth is great for when you want to wipe the outside parts of your gun. It’s typically used in the final parts of the cleaning process, and you need to put a bit of gun oil on it before you start wiping your gun.

Cleaning Solvent

Cleaning solvent is used to clean, lubricate, and protect your gun. A cleaning solvent will loosen debris and dirt from parts of your firearm and will clean fouling. In addition, they also protect firearms from corrosion.

Bore Snake

Each time you fire a gun, you can use a bore snake as a way to give your gun a quick clean. You need to keep in mind that every bore snake is created for a certain caliber, so you’ll need to find one that’s made for your gun.

Final Points

Basic maintenance is one way to keep your firearm clean, improve durability, and ensure optimal performance. You need to have suitable gun cleaning kits for the best results.

Remember, the type of brush you use will affect how well your cleaning goes. We’ve seen that the best gun cleaning brushes vary with the type of bristles you opt for. Deep cleaning of caked-on powder residue, for instance, works best with a steel bristle. Brass bristles are great for intermediate cleaning, while nylon bristles work best for regular maintenance.

Finally, make sure that your gun cleaning brushes offers a double ends so you can reach those niche places to keep your weapon in tip top shape.

Cleaning Your Guns with WD-40? A Comprehensive Guide – Gun Cleaning HQ

January 16, 2023 By guncleaninghq 22 Comments

I have gotten the question more than once, “Is it okay to clean my gun with WD40?”. It’s a fair question and I’ve known people who have been using WD40 for 20+ years to clean their guns. Are they wrong for doing this? Let’s take a deeper look into what WD40 is and if it’s a good idea to use it to clean your guns.

If you want to read learn more tips on cleaning your gun, check out here.

What’s In WD-40?

Most of you probably own a bottle but do you know what it’s made of? Probably not because it’s a secret formula! For over 60 years the multi-use product has kept its formula a secret from the public.

Another fun fact is that Duct Tape has also kept its formula a secret, which is why the original duct tape is the best.

WD stands for Water Displacement

What we do know is that WD40 is a special blend of lubricants. It’s a terrific solvent for removing rust and getting stickers off but will it do the job for cleaning your gun?

The Old Way to Clean Your Gun

Before writing this article I sat down with a good friend that’s been cleaning ALL of his guns with WD40 for over 30 years before switching to Break-Free. He’s never had any of his guns rust and any other problems for that matter. Some people seem to be biased on the idea of using WD-40 and tell me that they would never use it but let me tell you what my friend said.

Back 30 years ago there weren’t many gun cleaning solvents out there, so people were forced to improvise. There especially weren’t any aerosol gun cleaning sprays, so most people starting using WD40 when it came out.

When I used it back in the day I found my rifles to be very sluggish in their operation, especially in the winter. This issue magically resolved when I started using Break Free lubricant mainly because WD40 is not designed to clean your guns.

WD40 is a solvent that leaves very little oil on the surface. This means that more dust and dirt will be attracted to the surface and eventually you’ll have a nice layer of gunk on your gun. In cold weather this can be very bad and VERY big pain in the ass to clean off.

Conclusion

WD40 is an amazing solvent with about 1 million different uses (along with duct tape). After using is many times to clean my guns I’ve decided not to completely trust it due to the rapid buildup of gunk on my guns.

What is WD-40 Made of?

As mentioned earlier, WD-40 is a mix of lubricants. It contains a mix of mineral oils like vaseline and baby oils, Decane, Nonane, Dimethyl Naphthalene, and Carbon Dioxide.

Decane

Decane is most commonly found in petroleum products like kerosene. Often used for industrial purposes, decane comes in the form of a colorless liquid. It’s a hydrocarbon of the alkane series with the formula C10H22. The reason Decane is used in WD-40 is because it helps keep the mix of lubricants liquid even at cold temperatures.

Nonane

With the chemical formula C9H20, Nonane also appears as a clear, colorless liquid. The liquid is insoluble in water, making it water repellant. It’s also less dense than water, which means that its presence in WD-40 makes the lubricant stick to the surface of the gun and doesn’t let heavier water molecules through.

Dimethyl Naphthalene

Dimethyl Naphthalene has the chemical formula of C12H12 and comes in multiple forms. However, in WD-40, it’s mainly used as a solvent.

Carbon Dioxide

WD-40 also contains some CO2. The carbon dioxide plays the part of a propellant.

Why is WD-40 Not Suitable for Guns?

To answer this question, let’s first take a look at what we use to clean a gun. Gun solvents play three important roles, namely cleaning, lubricating, and protecting the gun.

Cleaning Properties

While WD-40 can be used as a lubricant, its other properties make it unfit for gun cleaning. The mix of lubricants acts mainly as a solvent. This will not technically remove the residue from your gun, but will dissolve it and transport it to some other part of the gun.

You can remove some of the contaminants on your gun if you use the solvent with a combination of a clean cloth or patch, but it will not be able to completely remove the impurities. This is why WD-40 leads to guns slowing down and jamming up in winter.

Lubrication Properties

WD-40 evaporates very quickly. When you’re shooting or storing your gun, you cannot expect WD-40 to stick around and protect it. This will eventually lead to rust and other damage.

The Bottom Line

If you don’t have any other alternatives present in the house, cleaning your guns with WD-40 is not completely unacceptable. The mix of lubricants can do an okay job at removing dirt and moisture from your gun, but you should be wary of the residue that will build up when you use your gun later.

If you’re going for a deep cleaning, WD-40 can be alright. However, if you have the option, you should always go for a more specific alternative that’s made especially for gun cleaning. We hope that this article about cleaning your guns with WD-40 has helped you figure out the best way to clean your gun.

If you’re looking for budget universal gun cleaning kits and want to learn more about this topic, feel free to check out our other articles, reviews, and buying guides at Gun Cleaning HQ.

How to Clean Nickel Plating: Your Go-to Guide

December 5, 2022 By Edwin Leave a Comment

Nickel plating is a great way to add some shine and protection to your guns. While this is generally quite durable, it can become stained or tarnished over time. It is important to clean nickel plating often to keep it looking its best.

In this blog post, we teach you how to clean nickel plating and remove dirt or debris that may have built up over time. Let’s get started!

What Is Nickel Plating?

Nickel plating is a metal finishing process. It involves coating an item’s surface with thin layers of nickel. This process is used for a variety of different purposes. Additional corrosion resistance and enhanced lubricity are just some of its benefits. Nickel plating is often used to enhance the appearance of an object. It does this by giving it a lustrous and shiny finish.

Nickel plating is a complex process that involves several different steps. The first step involves immersing the item to be coated in an acidic solution. After that, you clean it with phosphoric acid to remove any impurities from the surface of the metal.

The item is washed thoroughly with water and allowed to dry completely. When it’s dry, you immerse it in a series of baths that contain different chemicals. This process is repeated a few times until the desired thickness is achieved.

The finished item is polished and sealed with a clear coating. A lacquer coat is the most common because it protects it from corrosion and damage. Most nickel plating is done with industrial equipment, but you can do yours at home with basic home supplies and a bit of time.

Nickel plating is a versatile finishing process that has a wide variety of uses. A gun would benefit from the protection of nickel plating, so it’s worth giving this treatment a shot. However, just like chrome polish, have a professional do it.

How to Clean Nickel Plating

There are a few different methods you can use to clean nickel plating and keep it looking its best. It’s important to make sure that you use gentle, non-abrasive cleaning products. This way, you avoid damaging the surface of the metal.

One effective way to clean nickel plating is with a mixture of baking soda and water. Simply mix these ingredients to form a paste. Then apply the paste to the surface of your nickel-plated gun using a soft clean cloth or sponge. Gently rub the mixture on any stains or areas of buildup, and rinse with clean water. Ensure all traces of the baking soda are removed.

Another option is to use a mild soapy solution and a soft soaked cloth. For the soapy water, you can use a mild dishwashing detergent. Dip the piece of cloth in the soapy water, and rub it into any areas of buildup or staining on your nickel-plated item. Rinse with clean water, and make sure you rinse off the soap before allowing your item to dry completely.

Use stronger cleaning products to deal with stubborn stains or discoloration. Keep in mind that these types of products can damage the surface of your nickel-plated gun. Ensure you proceed with caution and only use it as a last resort.

Tips When Cleaning Nickel Plating

Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaning solution when cleaning your nickel-plated gun. This will help to avoid damaging the surface of the metal.

If you are dealing with stubborn stains or debris, try mixing baking soda and water. This effective cleaning solution can get your gun sparkling clean again in no time!

When cleaning your nickel-plated gun, it’s essential to be patient and take your time. Rubbing the surface of the metal can help remove stains and buildup. But, applying too much pressure or using harsh chemicals can cause damage.

Consider investing in a wet microfiber cloth when cleaning your nickel-plated gun. This type of cape cod cloth is designed specifically for delicate surfaces. They can help you achieve a super clean finish without risking damage to the metal.

What Are the Benefits of Nickel Plating?

There are several benefits to nickel plating:

Corrosion resistance is one of the primary benefits of nickel plating. It creates a protective coating that covers the gun’s entire surface. Nickel plating can help protect the metal from a bit of rust and other forms of corrosion.

This makes it useful for devices exposed to harsh environmental conditions and high moisture levels. Perfect examples of these devices would be outdoor tools and equipment.

Another benefit of nickel plating is improved lubricity. The thin layer of metal it creates on the surface of an item ensures smoother, more efficient movement. It also reduces friction between the two surfaces in contact. This makes nickel plating useful for items that are used often, such as machine parts and moving components in automotive engines.

Finally, nickel plating can also improve the overall appearance of a gun. It creates that beautiful, shiny finish seen on jewelry and other decorative objects. A clear coat of lacquer can also help protect its surface from scratches and other damage. If you want to boost the appearance and durability of your metal objects, consider giving them a nickel coating treatment!

FAQs

How do you make nickel shiny again?

There are several methods that you can use to make a nickel shiny again. One option is to use a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth.

Dip the cloth in the soapy water, then gently rub it into any areas of buildup or staining on your nickel-plated item. Rinse the surface with clean water, remove all of the soap, and then allow your item to dry completely.

Does vinegar ruin nickel plating?

Using vinegar on nickel plating can cause damage or discoloration if used excessively or in the wrong conditions. To avoid damaging your nickel plating, it is important to use vinegar solution carefully and only in small amounts.

If you are dealing with particularly stubborn stains or buildup, you may want to try using a mild abrasive cleaner or specially designed cleaning solution instead. Additionally, always be sure to rinse your item thoroughly with clean water after applying any cleaning solution.

Why is my nickel plating dull?

Several possible reasons your nickel plating may appear dull or lackluster. One common cause is the buildup of galvanic corrosion, stains, or other substances on the surface of your item.

To restore the shine to your nickel plating, you may need to use a mild soap solution. You can also opt for a specially designed cleaning product to clean the surface. It’s important to note that excessive exposure to moisture or other environmental conditions can cause your nickel plating to lose its shine.

Conclusion

Learning how to clean nickel-plating items is an essential skill. This way, you maintain a beautiful finish on your nickel-plated item and restore its original luster. We hope this guide on how to clean nickel plating on your gun was helpful.

It’s best to clean nickel plating often. This will prevent dirt and debris from building up over time. Using the right tools, you can keep your nickel-plated items looking shiny. With a little bit of patience and care, you can keep your metal looking great for years to come!

How to Clean a Winchester 30 30 Lever Action Rifle? – A Beginner’s Guide

November 2, 2022 By Edwin Leave a Comment

Lever action rifles like the ones made by Winchester are American classics. They are known for their abilities as well as their durability. Owning a rifle that can last several decades sounds good, but you must care for it well to achieve this longevity.

One essential part of caring for your rifle is cleaning it when needed. Read this guide to learn how to clean a Winchester 30 30 lever action rifle, even if you are a beginner.

How to Clean a Winchester 30 30 Lever Action Rifle

Cleaning a lever-action rifle is simple once you get it the first time. However, you must invest in good cleaning supplies, dissemble the rifle and then clean each part thoroughly. After cleaning, you must dry the pieces before reassembling them. Let’s explain each step more.

Get the Cleaning Supplies Ready

The first step is to gather some common cleaning supplies. Next, get some gun-cleaning solvent and some clean patches. You should also add gun oil or lubricant to the kit before settling down.

Dissemble the Rifle

One of the most critical steps in cleaning a gun is to dissemble it. When disabling a lever action rifle, you need some tools like a wrench and screwdriver. You may also need to research how to disassemble a 30-30 action rifle.

You can choose to clean each part as you remove it and return it to its original position immediately. You may also choose to disassemble the entire rifle, clean it, and assemble it afterward. Whichever method you choose, you must remove all the dirt and debris from each part before you are done with the cleaning procedure.

Clean Every Part

After disassembling the rifle, you can start cleaning it part by part. For example, many people with hunting rifles start cleaning from the barrel. To clean the barrel, attach a clean patch to a bore brush.

Add some solvent to it and run it through the barrel several times. The best way to approach this is to go from the breech end to the muzzle, not otherwise. Run the brush through a few times until you are sure there is no grime left in the barrel.

If you don’t have a bore brush, there are a few alternatives you can adopt. One is to use a bore snake or a cleaning rod. Douse the bore with solvent to remove all the fouling in it. Then, insert a clean patch and see if all the dirt has been removed.

After cleaning the barrel, go to the receiver and clean it with a clean patch and solvent. You will have to repeat the same process for the stock if you intend to clean the entire rifle thoroughly.

Once you clean the rifle’s inner parts, move on to the outer parts. Cleaning the outer parts is easy as you can just put some solvent on a clean cloth and wipe every part. The components of a hunting rifle that need to be cleaned include the barrel, receiver, and bolt mechanism.

Dry and Reassemble

After cleaning, you must dry all the parts before assembling. First, you should run a dry patch through all the pieces to ensure no moisture is left anywhere. That should come before you oil the rifle and assemble it for another day of shooting.

To reassemble your rifle, follow the instructions in the manual. The process is straightforward so you won’t need the manual after the first few times. The cleaning procedures will end after reassembling your rifle back to its proper condition.

Optimally cleaning the 30-30 rifles requires you to know and practice these steps regularly. However, after a few initial tries, you will get the hang of the whole process.

Are Lever-Action Rifles Hard To Clean?

No, it is not hard to clean a lever action rifle. The most critical task is to get the lead out of the muzzle early and keep it dry always.

Here are some tips for keeping your lever-action rifle clean.

Clean After Every Use

You should clean your rifle often, ideally after every day of shooting. This is more so if you use cast lead bullets that can easily cause fouling. The dirt and dust that comes with leaving your rifle unclean may cause a drop in your eyebrow-raising accuracy.

Cleaning your rifle after every use will ensure you do not store your rifle with lead. If you do not use cast lead bullets, you may not need to clean it after every use. However, cleaning your rifle after every 10-40 rounds is ideal.

Do Not Store in the Case

Many gun owners store their guns in the case, but this is not a great storage option. Keeping your gun in the case can make it generate and retain moisture. Over time, this can lead to rusting, which will reduce the accuracy of your rifle. A simple alternative is to create a space for your gun to hang after every hunting expedition.

Use the Right Cleaning Supplies

Another essential tip for cleaning your rifle is to use the right cleaning supplies. Your cleaning kit does not have to contain much. You only need a good solvent, a clean patch, a bore snake, and gun oil. You may need some mineral spirits or turpentine if your gun has oil-based stains. You can also buy a gun-cleaning solution if you see one that works well for your rifle.

What is the Most Important Thing to Remember When Cleaning a Gun?

Cleaning a lever-action rifle is similar to other guns in many ways. The most important thing to remember when cleaning any gun is to make sure it is unloaded. This should be the first thing you do before you get into full cleaning mode.

Next, remove the jacket of bullets while turning the barrel to a safe spot. The rule is never to make your barrel face anything you do not intend to shoot. Once you remove the jacket and magazine, you can start disassembling and cleaning.

Another thing to remember when cleaning a classic-looking, American-made rifle is that the method matters a lot. You should be aware of the crown if you have no option but to clean the bore from the muzzle. Passing the cleaning rod continuously through the crown can cause damage to it. When the crown is damaged, it affects your accuracy.

Conclusion

You likely knew there were many steps to properly clean a rifle, and hopefully this helped to ease your mind a bit. Now you can confidently say you know how to clean a Winchester 30 30 lever action rifle.

How to Clean a 1911 Kimber? – A 2022 Guide

November 2, 2022 By Edwin Leave a Comment

One of the most important aspects of owning a gun is cleaning and maintaining it. The entire process involves field stripping, cleaning, and reassembling your piece. This article will cover how to clean a 1911 Kimber with simple steps and practical tips.

If you are a new owner, stick around for complete gun cleaning instructions. You can also check here for practical basic cleaning tips.

How to Clean a 1911 Kimber?

Field Stripping

The first step of cleaning a 1911 Kimber is to field strip your piece. Place the gun on the table or homemade gun cleaning station with the barrel facing upwards. Use eye protection for safety if the recoil spring pushes the plug out. You must unload your 1911 Kimber before cleaning it.

The first step of the field strip process is removing the magazine and emptying the chamber. Ensure that you take away all the ammo around it. Ensure that the recoil spring is loose for easy movement of the slide.

Double-check your 1911 Kimber to ensure the magazine is out and the chamber is empty. This step is crucial for gun safety, as stated in the owner’s manual. Once satisfied, use a slide stop lever to take out the slide. Push the slide to the rear, insert a take-down tool into the opening in the guide rod and release the slide lock lever. The slide should stop against the lever.

The next step is to align the slide with the slide stop lever by gently pushing it forward till the slot clicks. As soon as it aligns, push the slide lock lever from one side while pulling it towards you to eject it from the frame.

Pull the slide out from the front of your piece and remove the guide rod assembly. The last step is to pull the barrel out of the slide from the front side, and your gun is fully disassembled and ready to clean.

Cleaning the Barrel

You will need a cleaning solvent and a cloth to clean the guide rod assembly and the outside of the barrel. Soak the cloth in the solvent and wipe over the surface of the barrel and the guide rod assembly until it is immaculate.

You can also soak all the metallic surfaces to ease the cleaning procedure, especially if they are extremely dirty. It is essential to keep the barrel clean, and you should clean it after every shooting session.

For the middle of the barrel, you will need a bore snake, a cleaning rod/brush, and a solvent. Insert the small end of the bore snake inside the barrel and run it through a couple times to remove the dirt. Make sure that the bore snake is the right size for the caliber of your gun.

If the barrel is too dirty, apply some solvent to the bore snake before running it through to deeper cleaning by soaking it in the dirt. Use a paper towel or a cloth to wipe off the extra solvent.

Cleaning the Frame

Similarly, you will need a solvent and paper towels or a fresh cloth to clean the surface of your 1911 Kimber frame. Soak the cloth in the solvent and use it to wipe the surfaces. Pay attention to the rails to avoid leaving any dirt on hidden surfaces. Once satisfied, use the paper towel to wipe away extra solvent off the surfaces.

You can also use alternative gun cleaning supplies in the market and available gun cleaning tools. Remove extra products off the frame using a fresh paper towel.

Apply Lubricant

At the frame, pay attention to the rails, hammer pivot, slide stop, and the moving parts of the control area. Focus on the rails, hammer cocking surface, and the firing pin aperture at the slides. Once your parts are clean, apply a quality lubricant to the frame and slide.

Apply the lubricant sparingly because the oil moves around automatically, coating the essential surfaces. Also, thick and quality lubricants are better because they take longer to wear out. However, you can reapply lube between cleanings.

Reassembling

Place the slide inverted on the table, then slip the barrel inside of it. Once it is set inside the slide, situate the barrel bushing and press it firmly into place against the front side of the slide. Push the bushing clockwise into position using the barrel bushing wrench.

Keeping the slide upside down on the table, situate the guide rod assembly on the barrel, then slip the tighter, smaller end of the recoiling spring onto the rod and press it on firmly.

Next, hold the barrel and guide rod in place and turn the slide sideways while ensuring the barrel link sits perpendicular to the barrel. Situate the barrel lug with the hole in the frame by gently pushing the assembly onto the rails.

Once the barrel link and the frame hole are lined up, put in the slide stop pin through the frame hole and ensure the notch in the slide and the square hole in the frame are aligned. Align the slide stop lever with the hole as well.

The next step is to press the lever into place by applying pressure on both ends of the lever. Move the slide forward, lock it using the safety lever, and place the plug on the end of the recoiling spring. Use the wrench to press down the plug until the wrench flushes with the muzzle. Ensure the barrel bushing aligns perfectly with the plug.

While reassembling your 1911 Kimber, ensure you line up everything perfectly to avoid scratching your gun when pushing the lever into place.

After reassembling your 1911, work the slide back and forth to ensure everything runs smoothly and spread the lubricant around. Wipe off excess lubricant using a paper towel or a cloth. After field stripping, cleaning, and reassembling, you can perform function and safety checks before using your 1911 Kimber.

Conclusion

If you are a gun newbie or own a Kimber but barely know how to clean a 1911 Kimber, save this guide for your next range trip. Should you have questions regarding the cleaning process, products for cleaning or lubrication, and cleaning supplies, ask below in the comments section, and we will get back to you.

Check out our article on where to find a gun cleaning service near your place to take care of your gun.