View Full Version : Question re. Otis cleaning kits...
Requesting feedback from anyone who has used one of these.
I'm looking for a small, light field kit for the rifle's case. I have the military field kit; would prefer not to put that jointed, plain steel rod in my bore.
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Yep, I like 'em.
I have a couple of the OTIS Tactical Gun Cleaning System kits in my range bags. Perfect for taking to the range when breaking in a barrel, or for general cleaning.
I use the Otis kit on everything from SIG pistols to AR's and even an M-14. Much easier to use than a rod, and less chance of barrel damage. I use it and a "Bore Snake" to clean my weapons.
Linky:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=788293&t=11082005
I have seen them on sale for less than $40.00, so shop around a bit.
I have both the Delux LE and the tactical kits. I keep one in my pack at all times they work great. The LE kits comes with the scrapers and brush, I purchased the scraper kit separate for the tactical version.
I have used otis stuff for several years. I must warn you though....practice putting the patches on and clean your weapons with them at home before using them in the bush. We were out in the field once and I let a buddy use mine. He was unfamiliar with putting the patches on and got one stuck in the bore. Not good if you don't have a rod to push it out with.
They are G2G. I dont know if im the only one but I only get 2 passes out of the patches.
Not good if you don't have a rod to push it out with.
If I'm reading the web site info correctly, the "tactical" kit has an attachment for removing a bore obstruction.
Not sure how that would work...
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sonrider657
11-08-07, 08:52
I have one of the new Otis kits and I'm growing to like it but it has taken me awhile to get used to pulling the patches through with the cable rather than pushing them through with a rod.
If/when you get a patch stuck in the barrel (yep, been there), you'll realize one of the first rules of engineering, "You can't push on a rope". Also, you're stuck buying Otis patches as they are custom made for this system - no more cutting up old T-shirts.
It's a nice setup but keep a standard cleaning rod handy.
SperlingPE
11-08-07, 09:08
I agree with all of the above.
Especially note Sunrider recommendation
I have one of the new Otis kits and I'm growing to like it but it has taken me awhile to get used to pulling the patches through with the cable rather than pushing them through with a rod.
If/when you get a patch stuck in the barrel (yep, been there), you'll realize one of the first rules of engineering, "You can't push on a rope". Also, you're stuck buying Otis patches as they are custom made for this system - no more cutting up old T-shirts.
It's a nice setup but keep a standard cleaning rod handy.
Interesting. I NEVER push a patch thru my barrels unless its a solvent soaker. I always pull a cleaning patch thru the bore military style.
It's a little more work, but it eliminates the need for a bore guide or any other stuff to clutter up my cleaning kit.
SinnFéinM1911
11-08-07, 09:24
I have one of the new Otis kits and I'm growing to like it but it has taken me awhile to get used to pulling the patches through with the cable rather than pushing them through with a rod.
If/when you get a patch stuck in the barrel (yep, been there), you'll realize one of the first rules of engineering, "You can't push on a rope". Also, you're stuck buying Otis patches as they are custom made for this system - no more cutting up old T-shirts.
It's a nice setup but keep a standard cleaning rod handy.
That is not a true statement!
You can use any 5.56 and 7.62 (mil issued) on the Otis systems, I do it everyday, and clean everything fomr M240 - SCAR's to P90's....
Skintop911
11-08-07, 10:21
Requesting feedback from anyone who has used one of these.I'm looking for a small, light field kit for the rifle's case. I have the military field kit; would prefer not to put that jointed, plain steel rod in my bore.
.
The Otis is a quality kit. It has its own quirks, like those listed.
Assemble your own. Boresnake, CLP, brush, chamber brush, rod to turn the chamber brush. That's all you'd need for a field cleaning kit.
I'd still keep a segmented rod around to keep a clear a stuck case. You don't have to use it otherwise.
Assemble your own. Boresnake, CLP, brush, chamber brush, rod to turn the chamber brush. That's all you'd need for a field cleaning kit.
I'd still keep a segmented rod around to keep a clear a stuck case. You don't have to use it otherwise.
I have already come to that conclusion; the solid (no handle) jointed rod my 6520 came with will do for obstructions, and I have an old-style rod from an 8 3/8" M-27 for the chamber brush.
Just gotta buy a proper Bore Snake.
Thanks much...
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toddackerman
11-08-07, 19:07
Requesting feedback from anyone who has used one of these.
I'm looking for a small, light field kit for the rifle's case. I have the military field kit; would prefer not to put that jointed, plain steel rod in my bore.
.
I've had them all, and still prefer the Std. USGI kit for the field. Nothing compares to a Rod type kit. And if you ever need to hammer out a bullet, or remove a separated case, you have the rod with you. Your chrome lined barrel is harder than the rod, so although you should use care to center the rod, I wouldn't lose sleep over this. A Chrome Moly Bench Rest barrel would be different
The USGI cleaning kit in the OD Green pouch with a small container of some type of CLP with patches, Q tips, and pipe cleaners takes up very little room. And the pouch is great for holding your spare parts (Hammer, Springs, extra Extractor assemblies etc.), small tools like punches, LaRue adj. wrench, Leupold Lens Pen etc.
This type of kit is in my "Grab and Go" carbine case with my other "Essential Gear". It is only a field kit however that I have never needed to use. All of my cleaning and maintenance is done at the work bench, but i could do it all with the field kit mentioned.
The-Jarhead
11-10-07, 02:23
Our unit got issued the OTIS M16/M4 kits with the optics brushes and tan case. Personally, I don't like them in the field, simply because of all the small parts, and we all know what happens when you give Marines something with small parts. I made up my own small kit that I carry when in the field.
For range use? It's okay, but I would still keep a set of rods around just in case I have to clear my bore.
Those kits come with a bunch of stuff that I would never use, so I just order from the menu and get the components I need. Except for the flexi-rod, they all are kept in small plastic bags in an old shaving kit that is my cleaning kit for rifles and handguns.
Here is what I order to form my kit:
flexi-rod (proper length)
t-handle
slotted tip
bore brush
patches
OTIS Military Accessories and Resupply (http://www.otisgun.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/catalog.html&setup=1&ida=3&idp=0&his=0&cart_id=3764038.1920)
watchluvr4ever
11-10-07, 09:45
I own the M4/M16 rifle and M9 pistol kits and I like them very much!
I always thought the OTIS was the most over Hyped and overrated kit out there... it's a cable with a eyelet for a patch... big whoopty do...
Try using a cable to clean the chamber... or get a stuck round our a stuck bullet out of the bore...
Why are so many shooters obsessed with a bore that is Chrome lined anyhow...I hardly ever clean my barrel and it will shoot great... I have ran over 1200 rds in 3 days and never touched the barrel.. and the accuracy of the gun was still better then the accuracy of the shooter...
The chamber and the BCG are THE most critical components of any AR..
I'll stick with my GI kit with a few chamber brushes.. some GI toothbrushes.. a rag and some cleaner... it's worked for me for well over 25 yrs..
and for all you nancy's worried about your bore.. if it's a precision rig.. get a one piece dewey cleaning rod.. if it's a regular Carbine.. your shooting skills will suck long before the accuracy of your "damaged" bore will kick in...:p
If/when you get a patch stuck in the barrel (yep, been there), you'll realize one of the first rules of engineering, "You can't push on a rope".
I like my Otis kits alot, but that is an issue. Had more than one slip off on me over the years, but I am better at "installing" the patches now. Still, they can come off no matter how skilled one is if too worn or saturated.
Voodoochild
11-11-07, 14:05
27 dollars from ADCO.
I love the Otis system. Once you get adept at knowing how to secure the patch properly, they very rarely would come loose,(I only remember one time for me in 5 years of use). FWIW you can use any patch of the proper size by cutting a small slit in the proper locations. Also the Otis patches are cheap enough not to worry about it. Midway has them on sale a lot. Once you make a pass, remove the patch and turn it over for another pass. You can usually find the kits on epay or as one poster said, go to their site and buy separate components as needed. I probably have a dozen or more of their kits. I've bought them on ebay when I see a steal on buy it now. I do agree that the "obstruction remover" is hard for me to grasp the workings of it. I think it is designed for stuff like mud and dirt rather than stuck bullets etc. Same with the chamber brush. Use a Dewey fixed handle with a regular chamber brush and do a really good job of it. The Otis does use standard threads 8-32 ( not milspec),so any brushes etc fit just fine. As usual YMMV and JMHO.
I carry the segments of a GI rod in my shaving kit / gun cleaning kit side pocket for bore obstructions, and two segments make a nice handle to turn the AR chamber brush in and then out.
For .22, there's the patchworm (http://patchworm.com/).
Still use the old skool GI cleaning kit. Don't see any deficiencies in it. Just need to buy new brush attachments as mine are getting worn out.
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