Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Gloryfire Gun Cleaning Kit
This kit has everything you need for gun cleaning and more.
Check PriceBest Budget Pistol Cleaning Kit
Allen Ruger Rifle & Handgun Cleaning Kit
This budget-friendly kit won’t disappoint with its high-quality tools and accessories.
Check PriceBest Universal Gun Cleaning Kit
Otis Elite Gun Cleaning Kit
This universal gun cleaning kit is ideal if you own multiple guns.
Check PriceBest Travel Pistol Cleaning Kit
Real Avid Gun Boss Handgun Cleaning Kit
This compact pistol kit secures your cleaning tools during transport.
Check PriceHaving the proper cleaning tools for your gun is the key to keeping them in excellent condition. But it can be confusing to choose with the variety of kits available on the market. Don’t look anywhere else, because this buyer’s guide will help you pick the best pistol cleaning kit out there.
Comparison of the Best Pistol Cleaning Kits
What should be in a gun cleaning kit?
Bore Brushes
When looking for a gun cleaning kit, look for a bore brush that’s made of bronze. Bore brushes are used to remove excessive carbon buildup from your gun barrel so they have to be durable. Having nylon brushes would also be a bonus since they’re great for cleaning delicate gun parts.
Bore Mops
Bore mops or cleaning swabs are also essential in a gun cleaning kit. They are used to wipe off excess oil and residue from your gun’s bore.
Cleaning Rod/Bore Snake
Cleaning rods are where you can attach tools to clean your gun barrel. Not all kits have them, but they’re a great inclusion. If you prefer kits with cleaning rods, make sure that the rod is made from high-quality materials so they won’t bend or break easily.
If you prefer bore snakes, we recommend you get one from our list, as they’re the best on the market.
Cleaning Patches
Cleaning patches are used to wipe your gun’s bore and chambers with a cleaning solvent or a lubricant. Look out for patches that are made of high-quality fabric because they last longer.
Best Overall Handgun Cleaning Kit: Gloryfire Gun Cleaning Kit
The Gloryfire Gun Cleaning Kit contains superior-quality tools, from its reinforced rods to its aircraft-grade cables.
Gloryfire conducted thorough research and testing to make sure each tool is of the highest quality. This kit also lets you choose between a cleaning rod or a rope, unlike other brands.
The Gloryfire Gun Cleaning kit has tools for 10 different calibers. It’s more expensive than some brands, but customers say it’s worth the money.
We’ve read nothing but positive feedback for this outstanding kit, that’s why Gloryfire is our best overall handgun cleaning kit.
Pros
- Each tool is of superior quality
- Reinforced rods
- Velvet-lined kit
What Customers Say
“This kit is outstanding and comes with everything you need to be able to clean multiple types of firearms, carbines, rifles, shotguns. Whatever you need for your tools. If you have multiple firearms etc., & even if you don’t this is your kit. It even has space if you want to add oils and cleaners to the pack as well. It’s lightweight and comes in a great quality zip up case as well. It takes up very little space. Definitely happy with this pick.”
“The holy grail for gun cleaning. No cheap pieces. All quality. A bit pricey…but in the end, I couldn’t find a quality complete set that was even close. Quality Counts.”
Best Budget Pistol Cleaning Kit: Allen Ruger Rifle & Handgun Cleaning Kit
Allen Ruger made sure not to compromise quality while providing a budget-friendly option on the market.
What we love most about the Allen Ruger Rifle & Handgun Cleaning Kit are its cleaning patches. These patches are made of soft, knit cotton for easier cleaning, unlike synthetic patches. Since they’re made of 100% cotton, they completely absorb excess oil and solvent, how convenient is that? You also get to choose from 3 different patch sizes.
We also admire how sturdy the brass cleaning rod that comes with this kit is, so as the many users that have tried it. The rod’s handle also has a swivel for faster cleaning.
However, it would’ve been better if the kit had some space where you can put your solvent in. Overall, the Allen Ruger Gun Kit’s quality is top-notch for its price.
Pros
- Knit cotton cleaning patches
- Heavy-duty brass cleaning rod
Cons
- The kit’s case is not that durable
- Size indicators are difficult to read
What Customers Say
“This is a five-star review, because everything included is top-notch. Even the plastic case is quite sturdy.
That said, there are two small issues:
1. The size markings on the case are hard to read. Not critical, just could be easier with some colored paint on the letters.
2. One needs oil and cleaner; there is no place in the case to store even two small bottles. Again, not critical, but it would be more convenient for portability.”
“This is a very complete collection of tools for just about any caliber you’re likely to need to clean. My only issue with them is that I wish the caliber was more clearly marked on the various brushes and other parts. Marking the case would help. Other than that, this gets the job done quickly and easily.”
Best Universal Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis Elite Gun Cleaning Kit
Unlike our first two picks, the Otis Elite Gun Cleaning Kit comes with a 0.5 fl. oz. Bio-CLP, so it’s a complete package.
Its memory-flex cables are also made from aircraft-grade metals. These cables come in different lengths for unparalleled breech-to-muzzle cleaning.
The Otis Elite Gun Cleaning Kit has an extensive variety of tools for different calibers – from rifles and pistols to inline muzzleloaders.
It’s also nice that the kit’s nylon carrying bag is portable. But it would have been better if it had more pockets for better organization.
Pros
Cons
- High-quality memory-flex cables
- Comes with lens cleaning tools for optics care
- Comes with a warranty
- Carrying bag is not that durable
- Lacks compartments for organization
What Customers Say
“I love the kit itself. I’ve been shooting for over 39 years, and my cleaning supplies have become a hodge-podge of accumulated parts. Still and all, I never seemed to have exactly what I needed when I needed it. That’s all solved by the Otis Elite – it has just about everything!”
“Having recently inherited a diverse collection of firearms, I found myself in need of a cleaning kit capable of handling multiple calibers in a convenient package. Let me tell you, this kit fits the bill! It includes tools for breaking down and fine detailing almost any firearm, plenty of gun oil/solvent, hundreds of cloth cleaning patches, and bore brushes for just about any caliber you could want. “
Best Travel Pistol Cleaning Kit: Real Avid Gun Boss Handgun Cleaning Kit
If you often go to the range or travel for shooting competitions, a compact and portable kit like the Real Avid Gun Cleaning Kit is what you need.
Its weather-resistant travel case has individual compartments for each cleaning tool so they remain organized wherever you go. It’s also equipped with a zippered ballistic nylon shell for protection against dirt and mud.
This kit contains every tool you need to clean 1911 pistols, modern handguns, and revolvers.
Most customers mentioned that although this kit’s cleaning supplies are not the best ones out there, they definitely get the job done.
Pros
Cons
- Weather-resistant case
- Compact and transportable
- Very organized kit
- Average-quality cleaning accessories
What Customers Say
“For the price, I really can’t complain. Although none of the components are the best out there, they’ve all held up to multiple cleanings, and for the price, I don’t really expect them to be the best. I’ll never replace my Otis brushes for a good deep clean, but these are perfect for a quick pass during a field cleaning.”
“So far so good. A decent little kit with multiple caliber brushes. Small bag of patches included. The carrying case is nice as well. Fits perfectly in my range bag. I can fit a small bottle of oil inside the case as well. Other than that though not much space for anything other than what’s in the kit.”
Hoppe’s No. 9 Boresnake with Den for Pistol
The Hoppe’s Boresnake is perfect if you want to give your gun barrel a quick clean.
As one of the most trusted brands in the gun industry, Hoppe’s guarantees a one-pass solution. Its bore snake has a built-in bronze brush that can remove carbon fouling in a single sweep. And its tail is 160x larger than a standard patch to completely eliminate any loose debris.
This kit also includes a compact carrying case for portability and easy storage.
Pros
Cons
- Fastest gun cleaner
- Easy to use
- Compact and portable
- Not great for removing heavy carbon buildup
What Customers Say
“I’ve tried the cheaper bore snakes that many think are the same as these name brand ones…I do not feel that way, as I feel that these are much, much better quality. Moving forward, I’ll just pay the small difference and get Hoppes. Plus, the “den” is a nice bonus and looks good hanging from my cork board. Definitely recommend these for the overall quality, and their ability to last for cleaning after cleaning.”
“This BoreSnake does a great job of cleaning the barrel of a firearm. I have two 9mm handguns, one full sized and one compact, which I periodically fire at the range. It does make cleaning the bore easier than using a conventional cleaning rod furthermore I have no problem using it either the barrels removed from the fire arms or with the firearm still fully assembled.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gun cleaning kit for a 9mm?
All the cleaning kits we’ve reviewed in this article are the best of the best, so whichever you choose will be a great choice. But if you’d ask us, we’d recommend the one from Gloryfire because its quality is guaranteed to last a lifetime. Plus you can use it if you want to add different calibers to your collection.
How often should a pistol be cleaned?
Ideally, guns should be cleaned after every use to prevent carbon buildup and to get rid of contaminants that cause corrosion and rust.
Should you oil the inside of a gun barrel?
Never apply oil to the inside of your gun barrel as this will result in barrel damage. However, if you’ll be storing your gun long-term, you can use a heavier lubricant such as Barricade for rust protection. Then be sure to remove it by cleaning your barrel before firing.
Final Thoughts
Most of us believe that it wouldn’t hurt spending a little more if that means keeping your guns in top shape. Some of us feel differently, and we respect that. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing – what’s best for our guns. That’s why we included all kinds of cleaning kits in this article, from the most budget-friendly to the most complete kit.
If you’re looking for an article about the best shotgun cleaning kits, we’ve got that too!
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Images from Amazon Product API
