I've been cleaning my rifle with just a bore snake and clp after each day at the range. Have just under a 1000 rounds fired. Thinking of a deeper clean with brushes and patches. I've been researching the Otis system over the tradition rod. Anyone use the micro cleaning kit (fg-300) in particular?
Otis system
- Thread starter ktu
- Start date
I have used the deluxe law enforcement system (FG-85211) for the past 3 years. I have used the Otis system on everything from 22 to 12 gauge. The Otis patch system works well, and you can use a patch 6 different times (each time presenting a clean area of the patch to scrub the bore) before you need to throw it away. The whole kit is the size of 2 hockey pucks stacked on top of each other. The cables are a lot easier to use then rods and you have less chance of damaging the muzzle or crown with the cable.
When I started to get into shooting a few years back I decided to go big or go home. (Slowly mind you, definitely not a rich man here).
I picked up the Otis Elite system. I figured why not, this way anything I ever purchase I will have the tools to clean it with.
The Elite setup covers everything pistol, rifle and shotgun from .17 to .50, .410 to 10ga. Plus tools to clean your optics. (It's a combination of all their kits, micro included)
I definitely do not regret it. So far I've only got a couple .22s, a 12 gauge and a .308. That means I haven't even used half the kit yet. And I suppose a couple of .177 CO2 units. The smaller cables, scrubs and brushes work great.
I personally love the cable pull-throughs. As mentioned above, you can multi-reuse patches.
There are brass rods for scrubbing and picking, a nylon brush for wiping crud away.
The fit and finish on the brass connectors is great.
All in all its a well thought out system that will accomplish pretty much anything you want to do.
The only thing I've had to add is a set of pin punches.
I'm most certainly a fan of Otis and would strongly recommend their kits.
(Eventually I'll own enough to make use of more of the kit, one item at a time. I've got the bug, funds will come eventually, lol)
I picked up the Otis Elite system. I figured why not, this way anything I ever purchase I will have the tools to clean it with.
The Elite setup covers everything pistol, rifle and shotgun from .17 to .50, .410 to 10ga. Plus tools to clean your optics. (It's a combination of all their kits, micro included)
I definitely do not regret it. So far I've only got a couple .22s, a 12 gauge and a .308. That means I haven't even used half the kit yet. And I suppose a couple of .177 CO2 units. The smaller cables, scrubs and brushes work great.
I personally love the cable pull-throughs. As mentioned above, you can multi-reuse patches.
There are brass rods for scrubbing and picking, a nylon brush for wiping crud away.
The fit and finish on the brass connectors is great.
All in all its a well thought out system that will accomplish pretty much anything you want to do.
The only thing I've had to add is a set of pin punches.
I'm most certainly a fan of Otis and would strongly recommend their kits.
(Eventually I'll own enough to make use of more of the kit, one item at a time. I've got the bug, funds will come eventually, lol)
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
Old School Shooter here with my rods and joined rod system.... Enlighten us older pharts!
Can you employ that coiled cable to knock out a bullet stuck in the lands of the barrel?
There's a reason I like my jointed rods for use in my 'emergency' "Oh Shzt" kit. It's not me that needs that but rather other shooters on the line who encounter these situations like seating their PR booolits just longer than magazine tolerant and then they have feeding problems. Out comes the jointed STEEL (USGI M16 cleaning kit) for use in THEIR match barrel (not mine ha ha ha ha).
I have had the Otis kit in my hands many times and always wondered if I should edumakate myself into the new world of Otis with their desert tan (my kryptonite) or FDE colored 'hockey puck' 1000 denier Cordura case. Am I missing out on the new generation ability to clean my rifle?
In the Service Rifle game, I would shoot a match and wait until I arrived home to clean my M14. Portability of cleaning kits was not really an issue. I'm not deploying so I don't need the small tiny cleaning kit.
Input from the Otis kit experts???
Cheers and keep on helping them nooobies around here!
Barney
Can you employ that coiled cable to knock out a bullet stuck in the lands of the barrel?
There's a reason I like my jointed rods for use in my 'emergency' "Oh Shzt" kit. It's not me that needs that but rather other shooters on the line who encounter these situations like seating their PR booolits just longer than magazine tolerant and then they have feeding problems. Out comes the jointed STEEL (USGI M16 cleaning kit) for use in THEIR match barrel (not mine ha ha ha ha).
I have had the Otis kit in my hands many times and always wondered if I should edumakate myself into the new world of Otis with their desert tan (my kryptonite) or FDE colored 'hockey puck' 1000 denier Cordura case. Am I missing out on the new generation ability to clean my rifle?
In the Service Rifle game, I would shoot a match and wait until I arrived home to clean my M14. Portability of cleaning kits was not really an issue. I'm not deploying so I don't need the small tiny cleaning kit.
Input from the Otis kit experts???
Cheers and keep on helping them nooobies around here!
Barney
The Otis cleaning kit is excellent when out in the field. I often take my .223 out in the bush for up to two days at a time. I keep the cable loaded with a clean patch in my pocket so if my gun is soaked with rain or covered in snow, I can easily dry the barrel when needed.
TacticalTeacher - In all honesty, I couldn't tell you if the cable could knock out a round for the barrel. I'm, all in all, a very new shooter. I haven't been at it a full 6 years yet and a bullet stuck in the lands is not something I've yet experienced. I would venture that the cable "might" be able to knock something that was loosely stuck in the barrel. The cables are rubber jacketed stainless steel. I'm thinking the cabling is a 7 strand twist. It has a little rigidity to it. But you'd never get as much force out of it as a rod.
I also am by NO means claiming to be an expert for the record. I just own an Otis kit, and have been very, very happy with it.
I as well have an issued steel joined rod C7 cleaning kit, so I suppose if it every really came down to my needing jointed steel rods, I do have them. I've definitely used that kit to great effect many times, considering being in, one tends to clean more service rifles than one shoots, LOL.
I'd say the two advantages to the Otis system are that it is very conveniently portable, and for cleaning from breach to muzzle. With my 10/22, for intermediate cleanings where I don't feel like disassembling my receiver, I can hold the bolt open, and fit the cable through the chamber out the muzzle. There's no way a steel rod set could accomplish that. I have a stock 10/22, and haven't drilled the whole in the back end of the receiver that would allow me to feed connected steel rods through it. I don't know if I'm brave enough to drill my own firearm just yet. But for me it's moot, as I can turn the corner so to speak with the cable. I also haven't yet been brave enough to remove the barrel from the receiver either.
I'd never bash a rod set. There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems for sure. I think the overall versatility of the Otis system is a bit greater in the end, but neither cables nor rods can each do everything.
I've got my rod kit stored in my Otis pouch.
I also am by NO means claiming to be an expert for the record. I just own an Otis kit, and have been very, very happy with it.
I as well have an issued steel joined rod C7 cleaning kit, so I suppose if it every really came down to my needing jointed steel rods, I do have them. I've definitely used that kit to great effect many times, considering being in, one tends to clean more service rifles than one shoots, LOL.
I'd say the two advantages to the Otis system are that it is very conveniently portable, and for cleaning from breach to muzzle. With my 10/22, for intermediate cleanings where I don't feel like disassembling my receiver, I can hold the bolt open, and fit the cable through the chamber out the muzzle. There's no way a steel rod set could accomplish that. I have a stock 10/22, and haven't drilled the whole in the back end of the receiver that would allow me to feed connected steel rods through it. I don't know if I'm brave enough to drill my own firearm just yet. But for me it's moot, as I can turn the corner so to speak with the cable. I also haven't yet been brave enough to remove the barrel from the receiver either.
I'd never bash a rod set. There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems for sure. I think the overall versatility of the Otis system is a bit greater in the end, but neither cables nor rods can each do everything.
I've got my rod kit stored in my Otis pouch.
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Well they say your not supposed to put the rod down the front of the barrel your supposed to go the direction of bullet travel which on a lot of guns can be difficult to do, But with the cable its super easy even with a tiny .22 you can easily feed it in from the side and clean the barrel from the ejection port. As for pushing out a jammed bullet that is not really "cleaning" which is what the otis is for.
I like mine and will use it because the kit is very small and compact and easy to carry and it includes everything, I have rods but even broken down they are way bigger and not easily carried unless you have something like an SKS which carries its rod along the barrel which is more handy but I would still clean with my otis cable over a rod
I like mine and will use it because the kit is very small and compact and easy to carry and it includes everything, I have rods but even broken down they are way bigger and not easily carried unless you have something like an SKS which carries its rod along the barrel which is more handy but I would still clean with my otis cable over a rod
Carbon is abrasive and running a fouled patch through the bore considered a bad thing. How can a bore snake be any better? It will hold residue just like a patch. A rubber coated rod or cable also has the ability to trap crud. I have a fair collection of cleaning gear. I think jags/brushes on a dewey rod with a bore guide carefully applied is the way I'll always clean my rifles. A set of jointed rods in the shooting bag come along just in case. I've never encountered a situation where I needed to clean a rifle away from home.
I now use an OTIS pretty much exclusively. When I think about it, bench resters clean their rifles from chamber to muzzle, so there must be a reason or merit to it. AR guys clean the same way with exceptional results. Until the OTIS, that wasn't an option for us. Now it is I actually cut a patch and screw in a jag on the cable and I pull the jag/patch through the barrel from chamber to muzzle with good results. I really don't use a solid cleaning rod any more.
Tony.
Tony.
While it's widely accepted that muzzle crown wear is more detrimental to accuracy than wear to the throat we don't have the option to push through from the receiver to the crown with some rifles. Most bench rest shooters to the best of my knowledge use rods not ropes. You can buy bore guides for your M14 in a few different styles and it really isn't that difficult to start a rod straight and keep it that way using one. If cleaning your rifle resembles churning butter or pumping up a bicycle tire you are doing it wrong.
I like to wrap a piece of cloth under the front of my M1 buddy so no solvent runs in the action and have it recover the patches when my jag comes through. It also prevents the bolt from slamming forward when you inadvertently touch it with the rod.
Pull through cleaning gear has been used by many Armies to clean their weapons. I have to think the real advantage is the compact size and light weight of the kit. To each his own.
I like to wrap a piece of cloth under the front of my M1 buddy so no solvent runs in the action and have it recover the patches when my jag comes through. It also prevents the bolt from slamming forward when you inadvertently touch it with the rod.
Pull through cleaning gear has been used by many Armies to clean their weapons. I have to think the real advantage is the compact size and light weight of the kit. To each his own.
