As with using any kind of tool, it is vital that you take care of your gun when you use it. Regular maintenance and care is important if you want to keep your gun in good condition, and frequent gun cleaning is paramount if you want your gun to work well. Having your own gun cleaning supplies can help you keep your gun clean, regardless of how often you use it.
The first item of your gun cleaning supplies should be a solvent that is able to dissolve both metal and powder fouling in the action and bore of the gun. There are a number of choices of solvents, each of which works on a specific type of gun. It is vital that you remove the metal and powder fouling from your gun by frequent cleaning, as the fouling can contribute to throwing off the aim of the gun if there is a significant buildup in the gun.
You can also use kerosene to get the powder fouling from your gun, and you will need a lubricant with which to oil all of the different parts of your gun. By adding lubricant as part of your cleaning routine, you will ensure that all of the pieces of the gun work well together. Neglecting to use lubricant will result in your gun not working properly, so it is vital that you add lubricant to the list of your gun cleaning supplies.
You will also need a cleaning rod in your cleaning kit. The cleaning rod comes with tips that allow you to insert the rod into the barrel and other parts of the gun, and makes it possible to clean all of the dust and dirt out of the gun. The best type of gun cleaning rods are the one piece rods, as they work better to clean the gun without coming unscrewed like the sectional rods do.
A bore brush is another important part of your cleaning supplies. The bore brush is made from nylon or brass, and it will enable you to clean all of the fouling off of the inside of the bore. You use this brush together with the solvent for proper cleaning, and this is an important piece of gun cleaning gear to ensure that your gun is working properly.
You may also need a pipette or eyedropper that will allow you to control the amount of solvent that you are applying to the brushes and patches, as well as specific areas of the gun. You may find that one of your old toothbrushes will be exactly what you need to scrub certain parts of the gun. If your gun has severe carbon fouling, something that is very common in autoloaders, you may find that steel wool or a very strong scouring pad is perfect to clean it. You will also need a plastic container that is solvent resistant. You will want to soak some of the gun parts in the solvent, and having a plastic container in which to soak them is important.