I am a cleaning fanatic but like the tried and true rods, patch and brush method.
I have no real use for Bore Snakes but what about these OTIS kits?
They are expensive but I am getting lazy as time goes by so was thinking these might be some more stuff to add to my pile of cleaning supplies.

Mainly for rifle as I dislike cleaning rifles. Handguns are not an issue for me.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I'm a cleaning rod person too. I've found the bore snakes are not nearly as durable or effective. I actually invested in a couple of carbon fiber rods that are excellent. Otis offers some interesting portable cleaning kits that I would use as a last resort if I couldn't pack a cleaning rod, but I wouldn't use a bore snake as a primary cleaner.

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I'm with the banned ...

I have an Otis kit.

(In no particular order)
Pros:
-Small package, fits in a range bag/hunting pack.
-Cleans debris out through the muzzle, away from the action.
-They do a good job.
-Made in USA.
-Lifetime warranty.

Cons:
-Pricey.
-Need to use (purchase) Otis cleaning patches or cut your own circles and poke the holes in the right spot.
-No back-and-forth scrubbing action.
-Takes a bit longer to clean a gun.

All in all, I like mine, but I do still use a cleaning rod & patches too.

IMO, the Bore Snakes work good for what they are designed to do. I especially like using one on my MP 15-22, as 22LR is a bit dirty. Then finish up with patch and rod.

Didn't like the Otis stuff because of the dedicated Otis patches. I buy patches by the 1000 packs from either Midway or Brownells.

For complete cleaning, nothing, again IMHO, beats patches, brushes, and the solvent of your choice.

You can't use regular square patches??

How about the brushes are they proprietary or will any brand screw in to the cable?

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Still Running Against the Wind

Sort of like survival rations. In an emergency field situation, they are certainly better than nothing, but there's no comparison between such products and quality rods and accessories.

Emergency field use, yes. Otherwise it's a good ole cleaning rod.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

If their cleaning kits are as good as their elevators, I'll pick one up!

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Yes, you can use square patches, and do not need to trim them into a round patch. Their website has instructions for proper use.

The threads are "standard" and you can use brushes from other manufacturers.

I got my kits from a well known auction site and the prices were fairly good.

I find them useful. You don't need to buy a full kit, you can add desired components to customize/expand your own kit if desired.

The threads are standard 8-32.

The patches are slotted, so if you use your own patches you'll have to cut a slot in it.

Here's how you set up:

Find the slot for the caliber you are cleaning.


Insert the slotted tip into the patch.


Pinch the side of the patch in the spot appropriate for your caliber and feed it into the slotted tip (this is explained in the instructions).



Now ball the rest of the patch around itself.
Apply solvent and pull through the barrel from breech to muzzle.


There is a "T" handle included to assist in pulling the cable through.

I just stick a patch through the slot on a rod. I do not use jags as the patch always falls off. I know they fit the bore better but I get by,

Guy on Rimfire Central has a whole thing on making your own. Really very good job, That's what got me started on this idea. I would buy the kit but there are so many and they an't cheap. Of course I like the Tactical version (only cause it has more stuff) I have some string trimmer line with a melted button on it. Push a patch through the other end and pull it through like a bore snake

If anyone wants a link let me know as I do not know if I can post another forum here

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Still Running Against the Wind

Also, the whole kit is compact. It has room for brushes, patches, the cables, and a bottle of solvent.





It zips up into a pouch just under 4" x 3".





As has been posted, great for range bag or hunting pack, but I still like a good cleaning rod and patches.

I'm Otis. What did you need?

Attached Images

Dickstein-99.jpg (49.2 KB, 11 views)

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... a little behind in my work

Agree completely with Hillbilly. It is a great kit, compact, quality, but a lot slower than a rod. I got one cheap, later got a lot of patches reasonably. I carry it particularly for my XP-100, but it's good for ANYTHING. Very handy, but just a lot less convenient to use than a rod.

bore snake liked for 22's. wash in a pickle jar after every use. otis good hunting pack acc. like it for semi's. like the straight rods for rifle and shotgun barrels.

To me a Bore Snake is good for a quick Field cleaning in between hunts - but that's about it. They do NOT do a thorough cleaning job and anyone who thinks they do should clean their gun with a rod, bronze brush and solvent soaked patches after using a Bore Snake to see what the Bore Snake left behind.

The Otis system is a PITA IMHO and I actually own a few. Turns a routine cleaning job into a chore - just takes to long. I have been cleaning with conventional rods for 47 years and have done ZERO harm to any of my firearms. I throw an Otis cleaning kit in my Hunting Bag when I go Pheasant Hunting (for convenience) but other than that it does not get used at home.

I think they are way over-rated. Someone gave me one and I too found it a pain. Old school steel or coated rods work just fine for me. Boonie Packer makes a neat little coated cable emergency pull-through for a fraction of the price.

For that matter a piece of .060 weedwhacker line with a knot tied in the end works as a pull through; weighs nothing and costs about the same.

What "model" or size is that one you have?? Midway has one on sale for $28 rifle all caliber, which is about all I would spend on one. Not spending $50-100 or one.!

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Still Running Against the Wind

I acquired four of their tan pouch kits when I went to afghanistan.

They are good for field cleaning or a quick touch up, but I just took the pieces I wanted out and put them in my complete cleaning kit.

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Shall not be infringed.

They are good for semi autos since you won't risk damage to the muzzle by using a rod. Slower and less effective but compact and easy to carry.

I've been using Otis cleaning systems since I got back into .22 rimfire competition several years back.

I can't make myself run any type rod down my Annie's or CZ's precision bores.

I use the Otis for all my firearms. Unlike boresnakes, a clean patch is used each time. I buy bulk patches that I cut to caliber @ Wally World.

For me running any type rod through a quality rifled bore is just wrong.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I bought one and ended up giving it away....back to a fiber rod and regular patches for me. It took me too long to clean a gun. Fiddiling with their patches was a PITA and very time consuming...at least for me. The cable and the funny handle also gave me fits. Guess I'm old fashioned, but just give me a rod and a patch and I will have a gun clean in a jiffy.

I got one years ago and have used it almost exclusively.the only reason I have rods around any more is to remove a stuck case etc.the only downside to the Otis is not being able to readily clear an obstruction,they have made allowance for it but a rod is still quicker. I still prefer the Otis,it is quick for me and less chance of damaging the bore/muzzle YMMV

I have the one they call the "tactical cleaning system".
It includes:
They show $59.00 on their website.
Amazon shows the same kit for $39.

I've got the AR cleaning kit I got off Amazon for $43.

If you bought just the B.O.N.E. tool seperately, they run @ $20.

Takes up very little room, nice compact case, has the flexi-rod system, brushes and mop for star chamber, two step chamber brush and I use it constantly.

I've found the BONE works better than the CAT tool, also.

I got an otis kit off eBay for my .223 fairly cheap. I also got a tool similar to their BONE tool, I like it a little better but I can't remember the name of it right now. Ill look and repost later

I have an Otis I only use it for my 5.56 American sporting rifle. For the rest of my rifles and hand guns it's rods brushes and patches

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Carpriver.

After a few cleaning sessions on guns one should be able to send a rod back & forth through a barrel without the rod actually contacting the barrel itself. Don't see what the big deal is here as long as the rod used is clean, straight, hard and not imbedded with grip. That's why I like the Dewey Stainless ones. You will never wear one out!

I use the Tipton carbon fiber ones.

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Still Running Against the Wind

The current Deluxe Military kit is identical to the kit issued when I was in the sandbox. I purchased a new kit at the Naval Exchange for $65.00, which is considerably less than the street price for civies.

The current Midway flier has the Tacticool version on sale, less than Amazon. I needed a few other things so ordered it. I can add yet some more stuff to my range bag.

I think I will need a rolling bag soon

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Still Running Against the Wind

If nothing else, the bore brushes & slotted tips are very nice.
I find myself threading them onto a cleaning rod and using them like that.

I've spent money on worse things before.

I like their stuff, I bought all the parts and made put my own kit together



You don't have to use their patches but they seem to clean better than normal ones so you don't need all the back and forth cleaning. I use the flex rod each time I shoot. It makes it easy to clean so I just do it often.