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I have tried to get an all in one kit but I always find something I need to add to it. So I just picked up a bunch of metal ammo cans and used one for all of my cleaning stuff.

Example: I bought a kit with brushes but found I like bore snakes better. I still use parts of that kit though.

I don't know of one kit that has the oil/solvent/grease combo that I use either.

I am sure there are some nice kits out there but it would be missing something I want or need.

BTW, where in MO are you? Springfield (Nixa) here.

Whatever kit you buy, include Breakfree CLP in the mix, great stuff for me.

I may get some static over this one but they are all pretty much the same to me.

The first cleaning kit that I purchased was from Kleen Bore http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/lawkits.html

Why? Because it came in a case with everything one would need to clean a 40 caliber handgun. Since purchasing it I have added Slip 2000 oil and then when I purchased a 9mm I just added the bore brush and patch holder for a 9mm.

Man, the best thing you can do is get yourself a medium size tool box. I got a Stanley one at Walmart that has storage in the lid where I keep brushes then all my rods go in the tray and the bigger stuff like solvents, lube etc in the bottom. As to what kind to get. It's all in what you like best I guess. I use all brass and aluminum rods. Why? Because they are just easier to come by I guess.Pretty much as long as the rod is softer than the bore you are not going to have any scoring issues. I've bought a few multi caliber kits of different brands because it really don't matter to me as long as I have good brushes and solvents.

There are all kinds of big kits out there with this or that way of storing them and to me they all are are not that good. So I bought a box to keep it all in and I pick up brushes every now adn then to make sure I got a couple new ones stashed back.

Remington, Outers, DAC, Tetra Gun, Gun Slick all make stuff and it's pretty easy to find. Outers makes a lot of kits from 15.00 to 150.00 that are often at places like Walmart. For me it's just been easier to buy components when I see them at a good price and use my trusty old on sale tool box to keep them all in.

Thanks guys, that's kind of what I figured, no one stop shopping, just add as you go. I'm relative new to pistols and want to make sure that I am cleaning them correctly. Normally, I have been running a brush down the bore from the muzzle to the action. I'm reading now (I know that I read too much on line) that I should be going the other direction. I'm reading that the rods can scratch the bore. If that's true, how do I stop that? I've read that I shouldn't run a brush down the bore first, and not to reverse the brush, both I have been doing. Any help will be greatly appreciated. By the way, I'm from outside of St. Louis in a town by the name of Valley Park.
Mike

Check this out. I found the info on the Otis site. Seems like good stuff.

http://handgunforum.net/showthread.php?t=21199

I've never found an all-in-one that I liked, but I never really looked that hard. I go the toolbox method that holds everything I need. A Bore Snake is a must have, IMO.

Originally Posted by SMann

Check this out. I found the info on the Otis site. Seems like good stuff.

http://handgunforum.net/showthread.php?t=21199

Thanks for the link SMann, it's actually the article that I have been reading. - Mike

I have the Otis Elite kit and I really like it. It came with everything I needed except for a .17 kit. At the time I bought it I had a bunch of different calibers and I just wanted ONE kit. I still have the tool box for all my other stuff, I have a bunch of punches, brushes, misc tools that you won't get in any cleaning kit.

I think I paid $80 for the kit on eBay, and IMHO it was money well spent, I wouldn't say it is the end all/be all of cleaning kits, but it's close. A good set of rods still comes in handy. I don't like the Boresnakes for rifles, they are good for a quick wipe on pistols if you're that worried about build up during a prolonged shooting session, but on rifles I spend more time messing with trying to get the end out of the muzzle to pull the snake through than I do cleaning the damn rifle.