It's simple. Don't buy a kit. Kits are all about compromises in most cases.
I finally broke down and bought a Dewey handgun length cleaning rod. And to go with it a set of Tipton jags. This is a really deluxe combo that will easily last for a lifetime with any care at all unlike the rather weak screw together rods that end up bent all too easily.
I've got bore brushes but I only use them for cleaning the chambers of the guns and those rare times where I've found that the guns shooting lead have some lead buildup. For cleaning the chambers I use a size or two up from the proper caliber so they fit in the chambers with some light force and I use the brushes this way on a hand drill with a short extension from one of the old screw together kits. For example, on my .38/357 revolvers I use a .40cal brush to scrub out the cylinder chambers regularly. And 1911 chambers see a .50cal size brush for the .45acp size barrels. I try not to do more than just touch the leade of the rifling when doing these.
With the Dewey rod semi barrels are cleaned from the chamber end with jags. For revolvers we need to clean from the muzzle so on those I use a brass or plastic crown protector slipped over the rod before screwing the right size jag in place.



























