Although there are definitely some people out there that enjoy the process of breaking down their guns and thoroughly scrubbing, cleaning and oiling each part, for most gun owners, cleaning their guns is something they dread. Not only can the process be incredibly time consuming, but it can also make a huge mess. Still, there's quite a large portion of gun owners who tend to avoid it all costs, with many people going for years and years without cleaning their guns.
However, the truth is that gun cleaning is something we all need to do. Keeping your guns properly cleaned and oiled is the best way to ensure they continue to work perfectly for years to come. Without proper cleaning, your 9mm or any other gun may become so dirty that it eventually jams or misfires, which is why it's important that you invest in the best 9mm cleaning kit you can find if you wish to avoid these problems.
The 4 Best 9mm Gun Cleaning Kits:
Each time you fire a gun, a thin layer of carbon is deposited inside the gun as a result of the burning gunpowder used to propel the bullet out of the barrel. Small amounts of lead and copper from the bullets are also left behind after each shot. The copper build up left behind by your copper-jacketed bullets can be especially troublesome, as it can both slow down the velocity of the bullet and negatively affect the gun's accuracy.
In addition, no matter how hard you try to prevent it, it's inevitable that dirt, dust and other small debris will get into the barrel. All of this results in the gun becoming progressively dirtier over time, and this problem can only be solved by breaking the gun down and thoroughly cleaning all of its parts.
While more and more gun owners are beginning to turn to ultrasonic cleaners for all of their gun cleaning needs, there's still a large group of hunters and shooters who prefer to do things the old-fashioned way. For this reason, today's post is focused on helping you find the best 9mm gun cleaning kit, as a high-quality cleaning kit provides you with all the tools you need to keep your gun in top condition, including 9mm cleaning patches, cleaning solvent, brushes, etc. However, before we get into the 9mm cleaning kit reviews, it's first necessary to take a look at a few important things you'll need to know when cleaning your handgun.
Tips on Cleaning Your 9mm
Image from Ben Branam
Before you can actually start cleaning your gun, you'll first need to break it down. As with any other time you handle a gun, the most important thing here is safety. Since you don't want to accidentally end up shooting yourself or someone else, the first step is to make sure your pistol is unloaded.
After removing the magazine, you'll want to ensure that the chamber is empty by pulling back on the slide and locking it open. Once the chamber is locked open, look down the side of the gun into the chamber to make sure there's no bullet in it. Always look from the side into the chamber and not into the barrel, even if you're certain that the gun is empty!
Once you're sure the gun is empty, the next step is to remove the slide disassembly latch and then pull the slide forward off of the frame. With the slide removed, all that's left is to carefully take out the spring and remove the barrel, and then you're ready for cleaning.
With your cleaning kit in hand, it's generally best to start by cleaning the barrel. Start by soaking a cleaning patch in solvent and then pushing it through the barrel a few times with your wire brush or bore snake to remove the worst of the gunk, making sure to push the brush through from the breech end of the gun (not the barrel end).
Once the barrel is fully wet with solvent, set it aside to loosen the build up and then proceed to cleaning the slide and frame.
Returning to the barrel, again soak a cleaning patch in solvent and push it through the barrel a few more times. Finally, continue repeating this process until the patch comes out fully white and clean.
Choosing a 9mm Gun Cleaning Kit
Before you actually begin cleaning, you'll need to ensure that you have a quality cleaning kit that contains all the tools you'll need for the job. Generally speaking, you really ought to purchase the best cleaning kit you can find. This is because there are many inferior cleaning kits out there, which contain poorly constructed tools that could damage the inside of your gun and end up doing more harm than good.
Similarly, it's important that you choose a cleaning kit that contains the right tools for the specific caliber of gun you're cleaning, as this will ensure that the brushes and other tools perfectly fit your gun.
When choosing a cleaning kit, it's necessary to consider what type of gun/s you'll be cleaning and where you plan on cleaning them at. If you're only looking for something to help you clean your 9mm, a simple pistol cleaning kit is really all you'll need. On the other hand, if you own numerous guns of varying calibers, you should definitely consider a universal cleaning kit that includes tools for cleaning a wide variety of handguns, rifles and shotguns.
In addition, there are also smaller handheld cleaning kits that are ideal for when you need to clean your gun while out in the field or at the range. Many of these kits utilize a pull-through wire cleaner or bore snake instead of a cleaning brush.
The actual type of cleaning kit you buy doesn't matter so much, as any good quality kit will do the same job. Therefore, the most important thing to consider is quality, which is why we'll now present you with our picks for the top 9mm gun cleaning kits.
Hoppe's No. 9 Gun Cleaning Kit
Designed for cleaning 9mm, .38-caliber and .357-caliber handguns, the Hoppe's No. 9 cleaning kit is easily one of the best ones on the market. Not only does it include an aluminum rod, brush and cleaning patches, but this kit also comes with a 2-ounce bottle of cleaning solvent and a 2.25-ounce bottle of lubricating oil.
Hoppe's is one of the leaders in gun cleaning equipment, with many gunsmiths swearing by its solvent as among the best there is. When you combine that fact with the low price of this kit, you've got the recipe for a truly outstanding cleaning kit that is guaranteed to keep your guns in perfect working condition.
Real Avid Gun Boss Handgun Cleaning Kit
Designed for cleaning almost any type of handgun, the Gun Boss Handgun Cleaning Kit contains a two-section cleaning rod, a variety of brushes and jags and 50 cleaning patches. All you'll need is the gun cleaning solvent. For those looking for a convenient, easy-to-carry kit, this is definitely an excellent choice. The kit comes in a small, molded case that easily fits in your pocket, allowing you to take it on the go.
UTG 9mm Pistol Cleaning Kit
While most of the other kits are designed to clean a range of handguns, this UTG cleaning kit is designed specifically for the 9mm. The kit comes with a two-piece copper alloy cleaning rod, which measures 7 inches total to provide ample length the clean the entire barrel. It also includes a copper patch loop for quick and easy bore cleaning, as well as a nylon brush, cotton mop brush and bronze brush. The kit is also extremely affordable, which makes it an ideal choice for anyone on a tight budget.
M-Pro 7 Tactical Pistol Bore Snake Cleaning Kit
Unlike the other kits on this list—which use a rod and brush—this portable kit uses a pull-through bore snake that some people find easier to use. This cleaning kit is designed specifically for military and law enforcement use, ensuring it has the quality necessary to take care of your expensive 9mm without causing any damage.
It also includes a 4-ounce bottle of cleaning solvent and a 4-ounce bottle of lubricant, as well as a nylon utility brush, lint-free cleaning cloth, hard carrying case and a handy guide on proper gun maintenance. Although it may be a bit more expensive than the others, it is definitely worth the money—especially for those who prefer using a pull-through cleaner instead of a rod and brush.
Of course, there are many other excellent gun cleaning kits on the market. In fact, if you own multiple guns, you would definitely be better off picking up a larger universal kit to ensure you have the necessary tools for cleaning all of them. Nonetheless, if you're in search of the best 9mm cleaning kit, then all of the above products will definitely get the job done—allowing you to keep your handgun firing perfectly for many years to come.
