everydaycarry-essentials.com – Page 8 – Your Everyday Carry/Concealed Carry Information Place

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024

VERTX TRANSIT SLING PACK

Product Review

Very Nice Medium-Sized Sling Pack

Product: Vertx Transit Sling Pack

Price: $159.99

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

ON THE GO, AT THE READY

Getting to your gear quickly and efficiently has never been this easy. The Transit’s easy-access sling design allows you to seamlessly grab your EDC on a moment’s notice while blending into your environment. Whether it be city streets, suburban sidewalks or remote trails. The Transit tactical bag features a floating back panel for added space in either the rear or main compartment. Blending professional into everyday settings, with an attractive sling attachment for comfortable carry. This tactical backpack features a weapon-compatible concealed carry platform with a Rapid Access Pull tab. The concealed carry platform accepts ballistic panels.

Specifications of the Product:

Manufacturer: Vertx
Outside Dimensions: 16”H x 10”W x 7”D.
CCW Dimensions: 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 2.5”D.
Main Compartment Dimensions: 16.5″H x 10.5″W x 2.25″D, 17″
Capacity 13L.
Weight 2.70LBs.

What I Like About This Product:

The size of this pack is great for an EDC pack, it holds most everything you will need. As far as a concealed carry pack it works perfect for that. With the Rapid Access Tab, it is easy to get to your weapon and I like that design.

What I Would Change About This Product:

They do not have a left – handed design! You put the strap over your left shoulder and then access your weapon with your left hand. I like the strap on my right shoulder and then accessing your weapon with your left hand.

Final Remarks:

The Vertx Transit Sling Pack is a very nice pack and the perfect size for an EDC pack. If you are a right-handed shooter, this pack works excellent. If you are a left-handed shooter it might not be perfect but you can adapt to this pack and make it work. I would recommend this pack for left or right handers.

If you are interested in this product, click here. If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

Go To EDC Backpack.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

March 18, 2024April 30, 2025

My New Trail Handgun

I do not live in Alaska nor do I hunt or fish there, so why would I need a trail gun?. My home is Colorado and therefore I would usually hunt, fish, hike, or camp in the back county of Colorado. The likelihood of coming in contact with a ferocious grizzly bear here in Colorado is very slim so I do not need to carry a .44 magnum, .454 Casull, or .500 S & W magnum when I go in the outdoors. But I like to carry a handgun with me wherever I go so the outdoors is no exception. A person never knows what or who they will come in contact with and what type of force will be needed to fix the issue.

Is There A Need For A Handgun In The Outdoors?

There are people who feel there is no need to carry a firearm with you anywhere and that includes the outdoors. I saw a post on Facebook from a very good holster company and they were advertising some of their holsters. There was a comment left by someone who was ranting that there was NO need to carry a handgun in the outdoors and you must be a real pansy if you did (the language was more explicit, but you get the idea). Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion, that’s why we live in America. But I do not agree with that individual, I would rather have a handgun and not need it than need it and not have it because I was too worried about some idiot’s opinion!.

Would You Want A Small Caliber Or A Large Caliber Handgun?

We first need to distinguish between small, medium, and large calibers. When I think of small-calibers, I think of .22LR, .22 magnum, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP. Medium calibers would be .38 Special, 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45ACP. And then large calibers would be 10mm, .357 mag, .44 mag, .454 Casull, and .500 S&W. There may be some disagreements with my breakdown and I am open to further discussion.

So then what should you carry? That question is for each person to decide, what works for them. My thoughts are a small caliber is better than nothing at all, but a large caliber is better and gives you more protection.

What Is My Handgun Preference In The Back Country

As I said earlier, I do not feel I would run into a Grizzly Bear in Colorado so one of the heavy magnum revolvers would not be necessary. My caliber of choice is the 10mm when loaded correctly it has a lot of knockdown power that will give you what you need in a trail gun. There are quite a few good handgun manufacturers out there that make the 10 mm, and the decision was a bit difficult. I have chosen the Glock 20, it is the full-size version with a 4.61-inch barrel that holds 15 rounds plus one in the chamber. They have a Glock 29 which is one of their subcompacts with a 3.78″ barrel and it holds 10 bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber. While it is also a great handgun, I like the full-size handgun with more rounds in the magazine. Some people insist on carrying a 44-magnum revolver with 5 or 6 bullets in the cylinder. They are more powerful then than a 10mm but I like having 15 bullets instead of 6 in my trail gun. Plus I can shoot a 10 mm better than I can a 44 mag and that is more important to me. A well-placed 10 mm round means more to me than a shot from a 44 mag that is not where I wanted it to go.

What Kind Of Ammo Would I Carry In It?

There are many different handgun calibers to choose from but as I mentioned, I like the 10mm as it is one of the most powerful semi-automatics available and I like the idea of having more rounds in my magazine instead of just 5 or 6 from a revolver. If I carry an extra magazine, that gives me 30 rounds of 10mm ammo if I need it.

Before the 10mm, I used a 45 ACP (45 ACP on the left and 10mm on the right), while it is a great self-defense caliber and greater diameter bullet, it is fairly slow-moving and does not have enough energy to cause great damage to a predator if you need to use it. With the correct ammunition, a 10mm having a 180 gr bullet would go 1350 fps and have 728 ft. lbs. compared to a 230 gr 45 ACP bullet would have 830 fps with 455 ft. lbs of energy. If you were in a situation where you needed protection from a predator the 10mm would give you better odds.

How Would I Carry My Trail Gun?

There are many types of holsters available on the market today. Outside the waistband, inside the waistband, appendix, shoulder holster, and chest holster, to name a few. When I am hiking, biking, horseback riding, backpacking, hunting, or fishing, many of those above-mentioned holsters will not work. If you are being very active or wearing a backpack there is only one type of holster, in my opinion, that I see working in these situations, it’s the chest holster. The chest holster is a holster that is mounted on your chest, held there by a harness system that secures your handgun very well. There are many different manufacturers of a chest holster but there are two that I would stand by, Gunfighters, INC, and Diamond D Leather. Gunfighters.INC makes a Kydex chest holster named Kenai Chest Holster (upper picture) and Diamond D Leather makes a leather chest holster named the Guides Choice Holster (bottom picture). They both are fantastic! I was told once that if you had a polymer handgun go with Kydex and if you had a stainless steel handgun, go with leather. I am partial to Kydex and therefore the Kenai Chest Holster gets my vote. They are a bit pricy but well worth it. They fit your handgun perfectly and are extremely secure. They are an all-weather holster that works over the top of your jacket or just under an outer shell. They have an extra magazine holder on the harness strap which is easy to get to. These holsters are ideal if you wear a backpack while in the outdoors. Just put on the holster and then put on your backpack and off you go. When it is time to rest you can remove your backpack and keep your handgun on your body. If you need your firearm they a very fast to get to and so very comfortable as your shoulders take all the weight of your handgun.

Down The Trail We Go

In this article, you found out why I carry a handgun in the outdoors, that I like to carry a Glock 20 (10mm) as my trail gun. And that my holster of choice in the outdoors is the Gunfighters, INC Kenai Chest Holster. I hope this article helps you to think about this subject matter and gives you the opportunity to form your own opinion on this subject. I would welcome any thoughts or comments about this subject and whether you agree or disagree with me. So until then, get outside, enjoy the outdoors, be safe, and be aware of your surroundings.

If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

All the best,

Larry

Founder of EDC Essentials

March 12, 2024March 25, 2024

MONIKALA ASSAULT #3 FOLDING KNIFE

Product Review

Nice Large Folder

Product: Monikala Assault #3 Folding Knife

Price: $30.99

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

The Monikala Assault #3 folding pocket knife sets are the perfect combination of style and function for women and men. With a blade length of 3.4 “(87 mm) and an overall length of 7.9” (201 mm), this small pocket knife is ideal for everyday carrying and comes with a deep carry stainless steel clip that attaches securely to your pocket.
This pocket knives with clip are made of high-quality materials, including Sandvik 14C28N blades with a thickness of 0.102 “(2.8mm) and hardness rating of 58-60HRC, as well as handles, making our folding pocket knife resistant to corrosion, easy to sharpen and durable. Monikala folding pocket knife also features a stainless steel liner lock, ceramic pivot assembly and a deep-carry stainless steel clip for added everyday practicality.
Monikala pocket knife is versatile and can be used for all kinds of purposes. The 4.4 inch (113 mm) closure length and 4.16 ounce (119 g) weight make it light and easy to carry. Sharp and high quality blades make it a good helper for your adventure, hiking, camping, outdoor activities, box, letter, envelope opening knife, etc.
To ensure smooth and fast operation, we have equipped the mini practice with a ceramic ball bearing pivot structure as well as a liner lock that allows quick and flexible one-hand opening of the blade. The liner lock also ensures safety when closing the folding knife. You need to press down the liner lock to close the folding knife.

Specifications Of This Product:

Brand	Monikala
Special Feature	Foldable, Locking Blades
Age Range (Description)	Adult
Included Components	Knife
Handle Material	Fiberglass
Color	Assault Team No.3
Blade Material	Sandvik 14C28N
Style	Modern
Product Care Instructions	Hand Wash Only

What I Like About This Product:

The knife was very sharp right out of the box. I touched it up with my ceramic stone and that made it even better. The flipper works great, nice and smooth and it had a very nice pocket clip.

What I Would Change About This Product:

None

Final Remarks:

The Monikala Assault #3 Folding Knife is a very nice knife, a little larger than I thought it was but it works great. The blade holds a very nice edge and is very easy to touch-up. I have never heard of this brand before but I highly recommend it.

Go To EDC Folding Knives.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

March 7, 2024March 13, 2024

HUSKY FOLDING UTILITY KNIFE

Product Review

Handy Utility Knife

Product: Husky Folding Utility Knife

Price: $13.95

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

TEXTURED HANDLE allows for increased friction between the unit and your hand, allowing for greater control, even in slippery conditions
LANYARD LOOP at the base of the handle allows you to keep this on your person when you don’t have enough room in your pockets
TOUGH BELT CLIP on the side of the unit keeps this safe on your pockets or work belt for when you need it most
SAFE DESIGN: This blade folds in on itself, so you can keep yourself and those around you safe when it’s not in use
INCLUDED BLADES: 10 disposable blades come with this unit. It’ll be a long time before you have to worry about picking up a new one.

Specifications Of This Product:

Material	Metal
Brand	Husky
Color	Limited Edition
Handle Material	Metal
Blade Material	Aluminum
Handle Type	Manual-Retractable

What I Like About This Product:

My shop is filled with these knives, I really like them. They work for about any use you could think of and when they get dull, just throw away the old blade and get a new one. Keep in mind to dispose of those blades in a safe place so nobody gets injured.

What I Would Change About This Product:

Nothing

Final Remarks:

There are many brands of folding utility knives, Husky is just one of them. But they work well and you can always have a sharp blade. I like the folding type best as you can cover up the blade and keep things safe. These are great utility knives, I recommend them highly.

If you are interested in this product, click here. If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Folding Knife page. Thanks for reading this product review.

Go To EDC Folding Knife.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

March 1, 2024March 13, 2024

Does Getting Older Affect The Way We Carry Our Handguns?

I have been carrying concealed for about 25 years and I have tried many different holsters during that time. No matter which holsters I have tried my overall favorite has been IWB. Is it the most comfortable? No! But it seems to be the most functional. But as I get older that comfort level seems to decrease, so what now?

What are some of the issues that occur when you are getting older?

I am not sure about everyone else but for me, my body seems to be wearing out. I just turned 70 years old and issues are starting to show up.

My first issue has been with my rotator cuff, which mean less flexibility and decreased range of motion. This does affect what works best for me at this time in my life.

I also have a detached bicep – they say this is due to decreased rotator cuff function which puts more strain on my biceps. This has not affected my range of motion yet but it does affect my strength. So I cannot do everything I used to be able to do. This issue does not affect my carrying concealed at the present time but it may in the future.

Arthritis is also something that may limit my ability to carry concealed. Not so much right now but as time goes on it may be a big issue. My knees and hips are affected mostly right now. My hands, fingers, and arms do not seem to be affected yet and that’s a good thing.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those individuals that sits on the couch and watches TV all day and then goes to bed. I work a full-time job and a second part-time job, then have a small farm with cattle, goats, horses, ducks, and chickens to care for when I get home. So I am a very active guy for my age, with many things to do. But as the years go on, my body just seems to be telling me that some changes are going to be necessary. Someone said that getting old is not for sissies and I highly agree.

How Will These Issues Affect Carrying a Handgun?

Since it seems like the above mentioned conditions are changing slowly in my case, certain things about carrying concealed will also happen slowly. Let’s just say some concealed carry methods that were once used may not be the ones that work now. The predominant reason things change is comfort and range of motion, these issues or conditions bring about changes to your body that just makes it uncomfortable to carry a handgun in the same manner that you used to or your range of motion begins to restrict the things that you used to be able to do but cannot anymore..

Changes to your carry methods

As much as I have carried my handguns in IWB holsters for most of my life, I am not enjoying it as much anymore. I find myself using my OWB holster a little more and it works very well. I love my chest holster but that does not work very well as concealed carry option. A while back I purchased a Spectre Shoulder Holster from Gunfighters, Inc. It seems to be easier to carry a handgun under my arm then in my waist band. I am also enjoying using pocket carry to carry concealed. This method works great with a pocket pistol (.380 ACP) and a good Kydex pocket holster. The only thing is it does not work very well with jeans, you need to wear pants with slant pockets so you can get your hand in and out quickly.

Changes to your potential handgun

I have mentioned the discomfort I have been feeling with my IWB holster and my .45 ACP. Now That I am using my OWB holster and shoulder holster more I am finding out that a lighter and smaller handgun works a little better for me these days. So that means going from a Glock 30 (.45 ACP) to a Glock 19 (9mm) is a logical move. Plus pocket carry is also very workable, with the Ruger LCP Max (.380 ACP), nice choice with more firepower. Lighter weight and a smaller package does work well.

Final Comments

As I get older my body is going through some negative changes and that means I need to make some adjustments as I continue to carry a handgun concealed. Changing my primary handgun to a lighter and smaller one is the best place to start. Finding one I can shoot well and that feels great in my hand will definitely make a difference. Making some holster changes will also make things better. Being aware that your body changes and then adapting to those changes is something that is needed as you age. As long as you know this stuff is coming your way you can make the necessary adjustments.

If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

All the best,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

February 27, 2024February 27, 2024

LEGENDARY WHITETAILS MEN’S NAVIGATOR FLEECE SHIRT

Product Review

Great Cover Shirt for Cool Weather

Product: Legendary Whitetails Fleece Shirt

Price: $39.99

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

Heavyweight Fleece

Button Down Chest Pocket

Signature Buck Embroidery

Regular fit

Wash: Machine Wash Cold with like colors, Non-Chlorine Bleach Only, Tumble Dry Low, Remove Promptly, Low Iron

Specifications Of This Product:

Product details:

Fabric type – 100% Polyester

Care instructions – Machine Wash

Origin – Imported

Closure type – Button

Country of Origin – China

What I Like About This Product:

This shirt is very heavyweight fleece that will keep you warm in cool weather and It makes a great layer in really cold weather too. It has long tails so it stays tucked-into your pants well.

What I Would Change About This Product:

I am more partial to snaps but the buttons work well.

Final Remarks:

My main use for this shirt is as a cover garment when I wear a concealed handgun – it works great. The heavyweight fleece will not “print” your firearm, which works really well. If you just want a heavyweight shirt that looks good and feels good, this shirt works very well for that. I highly recommend this fleece shirt for any use.

If you are interested in this product, click here. If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Cover Garment page, Thanks for reading this product review.

Go To EDC Cover Garment.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

February 13, 2024February 27, 2024

EAFENGROW EF932 FOLDING KNIFE

Product Review

A Crazy Sharp Folder

Product: Eafengrow EF932 Folding Knife

Price: $24.99

Durability: Very High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.5

Quick Product Overview:

The Eafengrow EF932 Folding Knife has a blade made with reliable D2 stainless steel blade, for increased hardness, corrosion resistance and edge retention. It has a full hand grip is superior with ergonomically design, it has excellent balance of hardness and corrosion resistance, offers a solid grip and comfortable in-hand feel, easy operation. The blade is sharp, symmetrical, and perfectly machined. It opens smoothly and can be flipped ball bearing pivot open, reliable secure Liner lock with titanium coating finished. The blade is centered in the handle when closed. It has quick and easy access with the convenient pocket clip, outdoor knife, making it ideal for everyday carry, General all-purpose use for daily home needs, fishing, farming, camping, hiking, ranching or collecting.

Specifications Of This Product:

The overall length is 7.36 inch (18.7 cm)
Blade length of 3.14 inches (8cm)
Blade thickness 3.5 mm
Weight of 5.46 oz. (154.8g)
Blade Material is D2 stainless steel

What I Like About This Product:

This knife came with a crazy sharp blade, I did not even have to touch it up with my ceramic stone. It opens and closes very smoothly and locks very well. The flipper opens the blade very fast when that option is needed.

What I Would Change About This Product:

Nothing

Final Remarks:

I needed a good EDC folding knife and I thought I would try a new brand. I needed a knife that would work at my day job but also at my farm. Instead of the traditional blade shape I tried this one and I really like it. It not only had a sharp blade but with just a little effort with a ceramic stone brings it back like brand new. I really like this knife and I highly recommend it.

If you are interested in this product, click here. If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Folding Knife page, Thanks for reading this product review.

Go To EDC Folding Knife.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

February 9, 2024February 27, 2024

EAFENGROW EF335 FOLDING KNIFE

Product Review

Nice Folding Knife

Product: Eafengrow EF335 Folding Knife

Price: $29.99

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

The Eafengrow EF335 Folding knife has a blade made of D2 steel, strong and durable, this sharp blade is built to last, provides razor sharp for ultimate precision cutting performance and excellent edge retention. The unique design G10 handle has strong hardness and corrosion resistance, Non-slip, sturdy build and with a perfect curve, ensures a secure and confident grip during use and comfortable in-hand feel, has a simple and reliable Liner lock, is resistant to dirt and prevents unexpected closure. This knife is suitable for EDC tools& Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Survival, Hiking, and all Outdoors & Sports activities, it is a nice and cool gift for man, boyfriend, father, brothers, good friends.

Specifications Of This Product:

Overall length is 8.86 inch (22.5cm) overall length,
Blade length: 3.94 inch (10cm),
Handle Length (closed length) 4.92 inch (12.5cm),
Blade width: 3.5cm,
Blade thickness 2.5 mm
Weight of 7.76oz ( 220g).

What I Like About This Product:

This is a bit larger knife but feels really good in your hand. The closing mechanism is very smooth and the lockup mechanism works well.

What I Would Change About This Product:

None right now.

Final Remarks:

The Eafengrow EF335 Folding Knife came very sharp and as I do with all the knives that I test I touched it up with my ceramic stone and it is extremely sharp. This is another knife brand that I was not familiar with but they are worth checking out. I do recommend them a lot.

Go To EDC Folding Knife.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

February 5, 2024February 27, 2024

CIVIVI PRAXIS FLIPPER POCKET KNIFE

Product Review

Awesome Folding Knife

Product: CIVIVI Praxis Flipper Pocket Knife

Price: $34.00

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

This is a practical folding hunting knife, the knife action is strong and decisive, 0.12”thin sharp point blade will be useful for all sorts of piercing tasks. This knife has an ergonomic knife handle, and features a lightweight G-10 handle scales, secure and feels wonderful in hand. The Praxis features a smooth opening pocket knife, it has ball bearings in the pivot that allows the knife to flip open with ease. There is a reversible deep-carry pocket clip, it’s not a small knife, but it carries very well, practically disappearing in the pocket, ideal folder for camping, hunting, hiking outdoor activities, everyday working carry or collection.

Specifications Of This Product:

Recommended Uses For Product	indoor outdoor hunting camping
Brand	CIVIVI
Special Feature	Pocket Clip,Lightweight,Folding
Age Range (Description)	adult
Included Components	storage_case
Handle Material	Fiberglass
Color	A-Black Stonewashed
Blade Material	9CR18MVO
Style	OD Green G10
Blade Length	3.75 Inches

What I Like About This Product:

This knife was very sharp right out of the box and with a few strokes on my ceramic stone is was perfectly sharp. The action is very smooth and works very easily. It also feels very good in your hand.

What I Would Change About This Product:

No changes at this time.

Final Remarks:

The first CIVIVI knife that I ever purchased was the Mini Praxis and I liked that knife but it was a bit too small for my liking so I upgraded to the Praxis knife and I like its size much better. With a blade length of 3.75″ and an overall length of 8.45″ fits in my hand better and works better for what I need better. I like a larger knife and this is just that. Its also very smooth and the locking mechanism works well. I do recommend this knife.

Go To EDC Folding Knife.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

February 2, 2024March 5, 2025

Cleaning Your Guns Using A Rod Or Cable?

We all know the importance of cleaning your guns, but what method is the best? Do you do it the way your Dad or Grandfather taught you? Were you given a gun cleaning kit with your first gun and that’s what you stuck with? Did a friend tell you which type to use? Or did you explore the Internet for the all time best method of cleaning your guns and that’s what you use? These are all good ways to find out information but let’s explore this question then you can be the judge.

Rod Cleaning Systems?

Many people swear that the only way to clean a gun is by using a cleaning rod. When I was young that was the only way to clean your gun so we did not question these rods. Cleaning rods do work great and now they are usually in the form of a one-piece coated rod or rods that screw together in sections to form a long cleaning rod. Whether they are one-piece or in sections they do a similar job in the end. A one piece rod is usually Teflon coated so it does not scratch the crown or the barrel. The cleaning rods that are in sections are usually made out of brass or aluminum and will not usually scratch your barrel. But it is a good idea to use a bore guide (protector) to protect your barrel crown when using these metal cleaning rods. You place them in the end of your barrel and then slip the cleaning rod inside the bore guide and into the barrel, this keeps the rod centered in the barrel and not scraping the barrel or crown of your gun. Cleaning rods can do a fine job as long as you are careful when using them.

Cable Cleaning Systems?

Some years ago gun cleaning cables were developed, this was something new that many people have not seen before. There are a few companies that produce these gun cleaning systems but my favorite is from OTIS Technology. They make high quality gun cleaning kits with excellent customer service to back it up. They produce every kind of gun cleaning kits that you might want, my favorite is the OTIS Tactical Gun Cleaning kit for rifles, shotguns and handguns. It has everything you would want to clean your guns and do a very thorough job I might add. An advantage to the cable system is that you do not have to teardown your gun so that you can clean from breech to muzzle. Because the cable is flexible you can just open up the action and put your cable end into the breech and slide it down the barrel to the muzzle. A pretty cool way to clean your gun.

Supplies Needed?

No matter if you use a rod or a cable to clean your guns, there are certain things that you will need with both systems. They both need brass jags, brass brushes, cleaning patches, scrubbing brushes, cleaning solvent and/or CLP solution, wipe down rags, and shotgun swabs if you are cleaning shotguns.

Many people these days use one product for cleaning, lubricating and preserving (a CLP). There are many of them on the market to choose from if you want to go that way. I use Hoppes #9 solvent for cleaning my bore and other very dirty areas, then I use Break-free CLP for lubrication and preserving. This method works very well as long as you make sure the solvent is wiped-out before you add your Break-free. There are many different cleaning product to choose from to clean your guns, this is only what I use.

Things To Overcome

My Dad taught me to clean his guns at the age of 10-years-old so naturally his way was the only way to clean them. I suppose you have heard, My way or the highway! and in those days that was the way it was. Anyway, that method was to use his aluminum rod sections that screwed together to form a longer gun cleaning rod. This method worked and worked really well for 59 years of my life. If you were a “Cleaning Rod Guy” like I was, you would have a difficult time thinking that a cleaning cable can do as good of a job as a cleaning rod can do.

So when I was introduced to OTIS Technologies Cable System in some YouTube videos, I was very skeptical. But for some reason I kept going back and watching these same videos over and over again and their methods began to make sense to me. So there was “old school” vs “new school” going through my mind and I began to see how cables might have a place in my gun cleaning world.

I had two types of rifles growing up, bolt action and lever action rifles and then one 22LR/mag revolver. I was always told to clean a rifle from the muzzle to the breech no matter what kind of gun it was, so that worked for me. As I got a little older I was told by my girlfriend’s father (he was a policeman) that you should always clean your guns from breech to muzzle to keep them cleaner. So I began to change my cleaning methods from what my Dad taught me as a kid and it made sense. But this was easy with the bolt action rifles but when I got to my lever action rifles, that was very difficult. With a bolt action rifle you can just remove the bolt and run your rod down the barrel. But a lever action rifle was a bit more tricky to remove the bolt, especially a Winchester 94, which is what I had growing up. It was necessary to take out screws and push out pins to get the bolt out, and that was more difficult. So I just cleaned them from muzzle to breech and it still worked, I just had to be more careful. Then came OTIS Technologies and I found out that I could clean my lever action rifles from the breech to the muzzle very easily. How cool was that!

The Cleaning Process

The rod gun cleaning system is the most common gun cleaning system on the market today. And it is something that has been passed down from generation to generation. This process takes a cleaning rod, copper jags, copper cleaning brush, cleaning patches, cleaning solvent, CLP oil and a wipe down cloth for final cleaning. 1) The first thing to do is unload the rifle and make sure that it is clear before starting to clean your firearm. You must remove your magazine (if equipped) and any ammunition that may be loaded within the firearm including in internal magazines. Make sure you do a thorough visual check, and feel with your finger that there are no bullets in the chamber before you go to the next step. 2). Using a cleaning utility brush or cleaning swabs, remove any excess dirt, etc. from your firearm. Place a copper slotted jag on your cleaning rod and a cleaning patch in the slot. Apply some bore cleaning solvent to the cleaning patch, and run the patch through your barrel and let set for a couple of minutes. Next use a copper brush and run it completely through the barrel to loosen up the fouling in the barrel.. Follow up this with several dry patches to make sure your barrel is clean and dry. Use some swabs to clean hard-to-reach areas and ensure you get your barrel/chamber as clean as possible. 3). Once you’ve completely cleaned your action, bolt, receiver, and barrel, you’ll want to properly oil & lubricate the moving parts of your firearm. Look for worn metal areas on bearing surfaces such as your action, and bolt lugs. On a well-used firearm you’ll see bare metal through the finish in some places. 4). After you’ve cleaned and lubricated your firearm, wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth. This removes residue and oils/moisture from fingerprints that you may have missed in steps two and three. A quick wipe and polish of any wooden furniture on your rifle is also a recommendation. 5). Once everything is cleaned, and wiped down, it’s time to start reassembling your rifle. It is a good idea to carefully inspect each piece as you put it together and make sur there are no problems with the pieces.

The cable gun cleaning system is an easy three-step cleaning process, it is basically similar but takes some different tools. Before you began cleaning there are a few things that you need to do. First make sure your firearm is unloaded, remove the magazine or bullets and inspect that there are no bullets in the gun. Then inspect the firearm and look for any excess dirt or debris on the outside, if you see any, use a utility brush to clean it off. Next remove the bolt or just open the action on the firearm. 1) Place their slotted end on one end of the cable. put on one of their special round patches in the way as directed, add some bore cleaning solvent or CLP to the patch. place the opposite end of the cable into the barrel on the breech end push it through the barrel until the patch is at the end of the barrel. then draw it through the barrel, from breech to muzzle. 2) Remove slotted-end and put copper brush on the cable and draw through barrel from breech to barrel-end. Wait for a few minutes to let the chemicals work. 3) Then put the slotted tip back on along with a clean dry patch, as directed and draw the cable through the barrel from breech to muzzle and repeat this step until the patch comes out clean. End result is a clean gun.

Final Comments

So what are your final thoughts, I think either way works good. Both of these gun cleaning systems will work to clean your guns, it just depends which one you like best. If you don’t like your gun cleaning method then you won’t clean your gun and that’s not good. My favorite gun cleaning system right now is OTIS Technology cable cleaning systems. They have so many different gun cleaning kits that you are bound to find one that works for you. But the best thing about these systems is that you can clean your gun without taking it apart. Being able to do that saves time and that means a lot these days.

But there is one time that I still use my one piece, Teflon coated cleaning rod and that is if I have a new rifle. I have adopted a set of specific procedures where you need to clean your gun a certain way before you even fire the gun and for this I only use my one piece cleaning rod. Then I change to the OTIS System after the rifle is fired.

So which method is the best? Is there a clear winner? Absolutely not! I think they both have their place in the gun cleaning world. You should use whatever method feels best to you. But don’t take my word for it, check it out yourself, you will be happy that you did.

If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

All the best,

Larry

Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials