If you’re like me, you probably accumulate gun cleaning kits. Many end up scattered throughout my semi-organized “gun stuff,” mainly because rods break, patch holders bend, or they turn out to be not as useful as I initially thought. I have all of those. But I have a few that stay together and have become my go-to kits, depending on what I’m doing. I’m confident that the Breakthrough Clean Technologies LOC-U Universal Cleaning Kit will be one of those.
A Definite Niche
Unlike my other first-line cleaning kits, the LOC-U (Long Gun Operator’s Cleaning Kit-Universal) is compact and designed for portability. The quality case’s dimensions are only 5.5 x 9.5 inches, with a depth of 3 inches. It fits easily into my range bag, but I have other options as well. The case’s MOLLE system allows attachment to packs, bags, belts, rifle cases, or whatever else you might want. I didn’t weigh it, but the LOC-U is pretty light. Under two pounds, anyway.
A portable cleaning kit is a plus at the range, but only if it has what you need. No worries there, because the LOC-U has you covered. I have other kits with more stuff, and that’s great when I’m at home. But the LOC-U has what I need for impromptu cleaning or oiling when I’m away from home. And that’s the role it fills for me. I break out the bigger kits at home. This one travels.
Quality Components
I would hesitate to put a cheap gun cleaning kit in my range bag. I don’t like it when stuff breaks, especially in the field or on the range. The LOC-U gives you essential tools, but they are also quality tools. The cleaning rods particularly impressed me. We’ve all had those cheap brass, or faux brass, rods that bend and break. I haven’t put these to any hard tests yet, but I’m not worried about it. These rods are solid. They have some heft to them, which I like. The polymer T-handle provides positive purchase and the nylon bore brushes respect your barrel.
The nylon “toothbrush” is small and thin on one end, which I love. I hate it when I can’t reach tight spaces. There are only three brass patch holders, but they are diverse enough for what you need. And the case has room for a couple more if you want to add them.
The LOC-U kit also includes Breakthrough Clean Technologies’ Military Grade Solvent and “Battle Born” High Purity Oil. I haven’t had enough experience with them to speak to their performance yet, but I’m optimistic. I do, however, love the bottles in which they come. The solvent has a spray attachment, which is very nice in the field and allows accurate application. The oil bottle’s dropper applicator does the same, and Breakthrough includes a stopper underneath the screw top to prevent leakage. I like it.
Finally, a tube of “Battle Born” Grease is included for extra protection, complete with applicator, as well as an oil-impregnated silicone cloth, which I love. All in all, this is a very nice kit.
My only small complaint is that the company advertises a “.38 cal./9mm” bore brush, but in reality, at least in my case, it has a .357 brush instead. That’s really not a huge deal, since I just added a spare 9mm brush from one of my old kits that is no longer an actual kit. And it’s not like a .357 brush isn’t useful. I would also like to have seen an AR-15 chamber brush, but you can’t have everything, and I had a spare one of those lying around too. There’s plenty of room in the case for that.
LOC-U Cleaning Kit Components List
- Lightweight, MOLLE-compatible carry case
- Collapsible 37-inch cleaning rod
- Polymer T-handle
- Double-ended nylon utility brush
- Six nylon bore brushes: .22/.223 cal., .30 cal., .357 cal. (see above), 10mm/.40 cal., .45 cal., 12 Gauge
- Shotgun rod adapter
- Three brass patch holders: .22/.223 cal., .30 cal., 12 Gauge
- Cleaning patches of various sizes
- Oil-impregnated silicone cloth
- 2 oz. bottle of Breakthrough Military Grade Solvent
- 2 oz. bottle of “Battle Born” High Purity Oil
- 12 cc tube of “Battle Born” Grease
A Nice Cleaning Kit
All in all, the LOC-U is a very nice kit. It has what you need on the go without a bunch of stuff you don’t. As noted, this kit shines as a portable field or range implement, though it will also serve as your main kit if that’s what you want.
If you’ve been looking for a versatile, compact gun cleaning kit to throw in your bag or truck, the Breakthrough Technologies LOC-U might be what you need. If so, you’re in luck, because GunMag Warehouse carries this kit and other Breakthrough Clean Technologies products. Give them a look. You’ll probably be glad you did.
