Do you have a good way to keep the proliferation of gun cleaning tools and supplies stored and organized? Can’t say that I’ve ever come up with anything convenient and neat. Some of my stuff is in a tool box, some in the cases of the various cleaning kits I’ve bought over the years, and still more in plastic bags and even a cardboard box. Now, I’m no neat freak but this is out of control!
Storage, I use lockable plastic chests, with dividers, based on platform/caliber.
But usually I use my Otis universal kit and what is in my range bag.
I throw mine in a large dry box. Upper try is for tools, cleaning stuff is in the bottom. The compartment on the outside of the lid if for spare parts. It’s sealed with an O-ring, so closing it up keeps the solvent odors down and the wife happy.
an old plano tackle box
A regular old portable, metal tool box with a tray is what I use. I have one sub box for small tools/pistol rods, etc.
My AR cleaning suppiles take up one of my pull out drawers on the tool box dedicated to AR tools and what not. Most everything is stored in a Plano clear tackle box and then put in the drawer. I generally clean my assorted AR’s about once a year, if that. Bolt and carrier get carbon killer, cleaned, and lubed. Barrel gets bore snaked. It appears that all the doodads and assarted q-tips, lubes, etc. are a bit overkill for the amount of use they get.
I’ve been using a large 20" portable tool box for years. Top tray has odds n ends like brushes, patches, a few solvents/lubes and assorted cleaning rod tips and the rods themselves. The bottom/large area has a few old tshirts (rags) and other assorted items.
I try not to collect too much of this stuff, so not really out of control as I don’t go out and buy every cleaning item I hear about. I still use Hoppes #9 primarily and a copper remover solvent (can’t remember the brand), so i’m an old timer I guess. Slip2000 for lube.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=382779
this…only problem was that I happened to find it in my local gun shop for about $10 less after I ordered it from here. Oh well.
+1 for the tackle box. Decent sized ones can be had for cheap at Wal-Mart or any of your large “superstores”. You won’t need to take them out, so I don’t see durability being an issue.
I keep my cleaning stuff in mine, and the box itself stays in the closet and is only taken out indoors. I mostly use Otis as well, so I don’t have a whole lot to put in there, but the tackle box that I bought came with plastic trays in which I keep snap caps, extra pins, springs, screws, headspace gauges, cotton swabs, pipe cleaners, and all sorts of rod attachments for different calibers. Everything that comes in aerosol cans, bottles, or cans just stand upright on a shelf in the closet.
A generic brand metal toolbox also sounds like a good idea, probably even better since they are at least metal.
Another vote for a tackle box. Cheap, wont rust, available anywhere, portable.
I am going to eventually switch to that type of set up.
Currently I use an old dog bone box. You know the big green ones with sealable lid? We had a few in the garage from our last dog, a big lab mutt. I keep a drill in one. It even has a handle, but the lousy part, and my only complaint, is that everything shifts about when I carry it.
I have a large tackle box of a wide variety of gun cleaning products I own.
I have a small nylon pouch of a few items I use.
I have used a Contico SUV/Truck storage box for all my firearm cleaning supplies for ten years now. The particular model I have has a tray that has several compartmentalized drawers like a tackle box. Great for organizing brush’s, rods, etc.
Manufacturers like Contico and Plano have a lot of options at places like Wal-Mart, Lowes, Bass-Pro, Dick’s, etc.
my range bag has a small spray can of break free, a 3 oz squeeze bottle of some weaponshield or other lube, and a surplus cleaning rod with brushes, chamber mop, a few patches, an old toothbrush, a dental pick, and a 12" sq. piece of t-shirt in a gallon freezer baggie.
this works till the baggie gets worn out then I go to the drawer and get another…
Yep, me too! My Plano is at least twenty years old.
I keep a bore snake in each of my rifle cases and usually use the same rifle case for a particular caliber.
My other supplies are in various kits I’ve bought over the years.
I really like the tackle box approach, may have to look into that.
And maybe a second tackle box for firearm tools.
small-medium size tool box (walmart plastic type). Top pull out tier is for brushes, q-tips, screw drivers, dental tools, and other small bits. under that is all solvents, rags, bore patches, etc. It’s served me well for years. But I don’t have a gazillion guns either so its manageable for me.
Stanley plastic toolbox here. One with the lift out tray. Most bottles of cleaner/lube go in the bottom. Frequently used stuff in the tray. Brushes an rod attachments in the pop open doors on top of the lid. Works good for me.
right now its a ghetto cardboard box, I will try out a tackle box sometime :sarcastic:
I use a tackle box for cleaning in the home or on extended trips.
I also has a AR GI cleaning kit that goes in the SHTF/Emergency bag.