Ok, I get it. Cleaning guns is not the most fun you will have related to shooting. In fact, it may be the least fun thing you can do with a gun. Consequently, gun cleaning kits aren’t sexy. However, cleaning supplies – whether you get them in a kit or pieced together on your own – are integral to keeping a gun up and running.

Otis Technologies has a line of kits it was promoting at the SHOT Show called the Defender Series. These kits are designed to be portable cleaning systems in popular military calibers plus .40 caliber.

The kits use a pull through cleaning system that includes the flexible cables, bronze bore brush, slot tip and cleaning patches. Even more importantly, from my view, is a caliber appropriate Ripcord for one pass cleaning. Rifle caliber kits also include chamber brushes and rods.

Five kits are designed around a single caliber. Four others pair two calibers in a single kit. The kit calibers are:

• 5.56
• 7.62
• 9mm
• .40
• .45
• 5.56/7.62
• 5.56/9mm
• 5.56/.40
• 5.56/.45

All of the kits are contained in a heavy nylon pouch that has PALS webbing for attaching to a backpack or other load bearing gear. This could make it a little easier to organize when going into the field.

These kits are all made in the United States. The suggested retail price on the single caliber kits is $69.99. The two caliber kits is slightly more expensive at $79.99.

One thing that seems to have held true throughout my shooting life is that the farther you are away from your work bench, the more trouble a gun can give you. Having something portable like the Defender kits can be a great help no matter where you are or what you are shooting.