Otis Tactical Cleaning Kit
Blog by Marcus Weiner
Photo courtesy of Otis Technology
The Otis Tactical Cleaning Kit and its contents. This compact kit is easy to transport, and goes in the field with us everywhere. © Otis Technology
Breech-to-Muzzle: Reviewing Otis’ Tactical Cleaning Kit
As hunters in Alaska, there are a wide range of firearms that can and will be used to harvest game. Looking at rifle calibers, hunters use a plethora of choices, with .22, .243, .270, .300, .308, .30-06, and .338 being popular options.
When it comes to pistols and revolvers, mainly used for personal defense and bear protection, as well as the small percentage of outdoorsmen who hunt with them, then .22, 9mm, .38, .44, .45, and .50 caliber choices are all prevalent in the Alaska firearm landscape.
When it comes to shotguns, 12-gauge is the most common option, for both bear protection and hunting. So how do we keep all these firearms clean, to help insure maximum accuracy and performance, when we are in the field?
Enter the Otis Tactical Cleaning Kit
Here’s a breakdown on what’s inside the kit:
- Six bronze bore brushes in the following sizes: .22/.223 , .270, .30/.308/.30-.06/.30-.30, .38/9mm, .45, and 12-gauge.
- Cotton patches: both 2-inch and 3-inch, which will allow you to clean any rifle, pistol or shotgun. Otis coined the term, Breech-to-Muzzle, and in this context, these pads will allow you to get a Breech-to-Muzzle clean on all your firearms.
- Memory-flex cables: 8-inch and 30-inch with thread connectors, and a 34-inch Memory-Flex cable that has a small slotted tip that can clean .17 caliber firearms.
- Three slotted tips: small, large and shotgun.
- Two patch savers
- Small and large obstruction removers: these also serve as the base for the included T-handle.
- Chamber flag
- ½-ounce Bio CLP—cleaner, lubricant and protectant.
- Lens cloth
- Storage case
Check out their video:
When conducting a routine cleaning in the field, follow these simple instructions:
- Apply Bio CLP to a patch and run it down the bore. Let it penetrate for about five minutes.
- Apply Bio CLP to another patch and swab out the breech.
- Choose the correct bore brush, attach it to the appropriate Memory-Flex cable and run it down the bore. The purpose here is to breakup and remove fouling as well as any other debris that might have made it down the barrel.
- Run a dry patch down the bore and in the breech to clean out fouling and excess Bio CLP.
One of the tips provided by Otis Technologies is that you can get multiple uses out of your patches. Rotate which slot you use and flip the patch to get a clean swab.
If you get a casing or some other obstruction lodged in the bore, then insert the Memory-Flex cable obstruction remover end first into the chamber and feed out the muzzle, then insert the t-handle into the obstruction remover.
We’ve carried this kit in the field for many years. We typically carry a .300 Win Mag, .44 revolver and 12-gauge shotgun. This compact kit is easy to transport, and goes in the field with us everywhere. It allows us to keep our firearms clean and ready for use when the culmination of preparation, planning and execution line up in the crosshairs.
Marcus Weiner is Publisher of Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines.