Apr 11 2007
First Aid for Firearms
My cleaning kit is out of control. I suspect the large collection of firearms specific tools it houses is a side effect of having been involved with so many project guns, I just hate having a problem at the range and not having the right tool to sort it out with. Of course as any gun nut will tell you, there are an amazing variety of tools for firearms out there. I’ve commented on this before, but I think today is the day that I trim the collection of tools in my cleaning kit down to a manageable level.
My cleaning kit is kept in a three partition first aid kit from Mountain Equipment Co-op, I picked it up years ago when I found I would occasionally need more than a cleaning rod and some patches while at the range. The three compartments are divided into a) cleaning brushes, picks, solvents/fluids and bore sighter and bore light, b) cleaning patches, pipe cleaners, q-tips, rags and optics rags, c) all the tools including pliers, screwdrivers, hex keys, sight adjustment tools (AR15 and SKS/AK/VZ58) and specific wrenches for the M14 and AR15, at least one set of cleaning rods and some other odds and sods.
Think I’ve enough in there?
Now, it is fairly convenient even with all this clutter as the kit folds into a package measuring 7.5x11x2.5″ and which used to fit nicely into my old shooting bag (I’m in dire need of a replacement shooting bag by the way, recommendations welcomed!) but odds are I’m hardly using 70% of the tools in the bag, and most should be shifted back to my gunstuff toolbox at home.
I’m open to suggestions, what does everyone else do for tools at the range? What “must” items are included in a cleaning kit?
I don’t see any broken shell extractors. CDNN usually carries units for 7.62×39 and 5.56 NATO.
I haven’t had to use mine yet, but that’s probably because mine are in the bag.
And it doubles well for a field kit when a mark won’t talk easily.
I gave up on the whole “bag” thing a while ago.
Now I use a small tool box, fits all my field gear and a spotting scope.
I got a multi screwdriver for christmas a few years back from Dad,
has all the hex and slot bits on it.
The only thing I carry, that I don’t see on your list is a cheap-o laser bore sighter. There tends to be a fair amount of scope swapping.
Other than that, don’t forget a pen.
PDB: Good point, I’ve got my .30-06 broken shell extractor in my toolbox downstairs (along with the go, no-go and field headspace gauges) but stopped packing them when I’d finished with the assorted M1 projects.
You’re right however, the shell extractor is likely to do me more good than the castle nut pliers for the M14.
Mike: No comment.
Piet: Nah, theres a bore sighter in there, little black package at the top right corner. Hardly use the thing anymore, but it was on sale for a song so I figured what the heck.
Stupid shiny things..
See I’ve tried a toolbox before and it just doesn’t seem right. I was using my duty bag for the longest time which was just about perfect, but it’s been recalled to it’s former occupation of keeping my work stuff organized.
What size toolbox did you use for this?
Pen? Hell, I have a “field message pad” for all my firearms paperwork that goes with me to the range, a number of pens in that get-up.
-GRIN-
Is it me or is that a lot of rods for the barrel brush? Are you worried you’ll be called to freshen up the USS Iowa or something?
OK, it’s not so much a tool box but a masculine brake-top make-up case.
And I think Mike’s got ya, that is a lot of rods.
I do however keep some extra smokes and change for the coke machine,
just in case.
[...] home I transfered all the usual stuff over to the new range bag. Firearm Cleaning/Tool kit, spotting scope, groundsheet, eyes and ears (along with spare foam earplugs for guests), staplegun, [...]