J. Dewey Manufacturing offers several field cleaning kits that, given the quality of J. Dewey products in general, deserve a home in all shooters’ range bags. These kits have all of the necessary cleaning tools and accessories required in one handy package to keep your firearms up and running in the field or at the range. I recently had the opportunity to work with their .22 – .45 Caliber Handgun Kit.
As a disclaimer I must admit that I am partial to J. Dewey cleaning tools. I own and use one of their excellent one piece nylon coated cleaning rods for my rifles which can only be cleaned from the muzzle end of the barrel. I use this rod in conjunction with their appropriate muzzle guide to protect both the crown of the barrel and the bore from abrasion wear due to the cleaning rod possibly rubbing against either surface, and thereby affecting accuracy. Use of an uncoated and/or multi-section cleaning rod would be a riskier proposition in this instance. I like the added measure of protection the rod being both one piece and nylon coated provides when cleaning my rifle barrels.
The .22 – .45 Caliber Handgun Kit contains the following items in a handy zippered vinyl pouch that can be tucked away in a range back or pack:
- 6” brass rod 8/32” female
- Brass muzzle guard
- Brass patch loop
- Phosphor bronze brush
- Round cotton flannel patches
- Silicone cloth
- Shooter’s Choice FP-10 lubricant/cleaner
- Double ended nylon cleaning brush
Although this kit is designed primarily for impromptu field or range use to keep a handgun clean and in working order, it is of very high quality. The 6” loop handle brass rod is machined as a precision piece of equipment. When the accompanying loop jag or the phosphor bronze bristle brush are affixed they screw in solidly, exhibiting no wobble or looseness. Brass is an ideal material to machine the rod out of as it is softer than either carbon steel or stainless steel used to produce the typical handgun barrel or revolver cylinder, and therefore less abrasive to the barrel’s rifling or crown.
Additionally the kit includes a brass muzzle guard that can be used in conjunction with the rod to protect the muzzle and crown of a handgun barrel that must be cleaned from the muzzle end, such as a revolver. Again, a high quality, well executed accessory not typically found in other cleaning kits.
The kit has pretty much everything you need and nothing you don’t to clean a handgun. The only thing I added was some Shooter’s Choice MC-7 bore solvent, to clean up after a session of shooting cast lead ammunition. The double ended brush, patch loop jag, phosphor bronze brush, patches and silicon cloth are all handy items for cleaning the nooks and crannies of most handguns. The included needle spout oiler bottle of Shooter’s Choice FP-10 Lubricant Elite is particularly handy in that it allows the user to put just the right amount of lubricant precisely where needed. As all knowledgeable shooters know, a little bit of oil will go a long way, and it can actually work against you reliability-wise if a gun is over lubricated and begins to build up powder grime and residue which might affect the gun’s proper functioning. Lastly, I think the light cinnamon smell of the FP-10 Lubricant Elite is kind of neat.
In closing, I would recommend shooters check out the complete line of J. Dewey cleaning kits and products if they are in the market for high quality, functional cleaning accessories for their range bag or bench. You will not be disappointed.
For more information on their gun cleaning rods, kits, and supplies, visit J Dewey Mfg at: www.deweyrods.com
Reviewed By: B.T. Davis