I’ve recently added the Otis Ripcord and their Universal Pistol cleaning kit to my range bag. I’m the guy who lets all his friends (and strangers) at the range try out his firearms. I’ve almost always got something new and different, and everyone wants to give it a go. The result is high round counts, usually from dirty ammo. So having a really compact kit for quick cleanings is important. Especially with the amount of suppressed shooting we do. While we like the quiet, everything gets dirtier faster.
My solution was to combine a couple of Otis Ripcords (.22 and 9mm) with their Universal Pistol cleaning kit. This gives me everything I need for some quick maintenance in the field, and it takes up very little space in my range bag. It’s also everything I need for a thorough cleaning at home, but I prefer having a dedicated kit for portability. Here’s a breakdown of the Ripcords and the cleaning kit.
Otis Ripcord
The Otis Ripcord is a bit like a bore snake, but with a few extra tricks up its sleeve. Each end has a brass section with 8-32 internal threads for various Otis cleaning components. The entire 36″ length is made of braided Nomex® with a rigid, helical core. That makes it heat-resistant, while also allowing the 10 inches of aggressive cleaning surface to engage the bore for quick results. Those brass ends also fit the included handle for easy pull-through from breech to muzzle.
Because the Otis Ripcord is a bit more rigid than a bore snake, you don’t have to rely on gravity. Just push it through, snap it into the handle, and pull it the rest of the way. You can run it by itself for a quick clean, or use brushes and patches for a deeper clean. The Nomex® works like both a brush and patch to loosen and capture fouling in your barrel. Nothing could be easier, and it’s a definite time-saver.
Otis Universal Pistol Cleaning Kit
I paired the Otis Ripcords with their Universal Pistol cleaning kit. It covers .22, 9mm, .40, and .45 calibers. Since most of my shooting is either .22 or 9mm, it’s ideal for me. Inside this little round pouch is a comprehensive set of components for such a compact size. There are 8″ and 10″ aircraft-grade coated cables with a snap-on T-handle for good grip, like the Ripcord. Four bronze brushes cover the listed calibers. A small rod section, small and large slotted tips, 2″ and 3″ patches (10 each) an obstruction remover, chamber flag, and some Shooter’s Choice FP-10 CLP round out the kit.
Otis left some extra room in this 4″x4″x2.5″ pouch for additional accessories. So my two Otis Ripcords fit in as well. On the package, Otis also points out that the patches can be used up to 8 times each. I’ll probably find some small ziploc-style baggies to keep them separated for that reason. And I’ve got a compact wire brush to throw in, then I’m all set for range days.
Mixing and Matching the Otis Ripcord with the Cleaning Kit Components
Although I plan on using this at the range, I had to test it at home first. So I grabbed a pistol in each caliber and tried them both out. Ruger’s Mark IV is one of my favorite rimfire pistol platforms, and the one everyone wants to shoot. Here’s my TacSol Pac-Lite upper getting a little touch-up between range sessions. Rack the bolt, remove the upper and bolt, and the Otis Ripcord makes quick work of cleaning the barrel. A few passes with the bronze brush, and another with a patch soaked in a little CLP, and it’s ready to go.
Next up was my CZ Shadow 2. I bought this pre-Covid, when 9mm ammo was cheap. It wasn’t unusual to shoot hundreds of rounds in a single session. By the looks of it, it’s seen several hundred rounds of cheap and dirty range ammo since its last cleaning. So I ran the Otis Ripcord through it with a bronze brush a few times. Turns out the barrel wasn’t too bad, but the Urban Grey finish gets filthy really fast. So my bore is nice and shiny, but the pistol exterior needs a little extra attention.
Pricing
The Otis Ripcord makes a great addition to any range bag. They are available in calibers from .17 to .50 and 12 gauge, and I counted 28 different options. Pricing starts at $15.99, and there are multi-caliber packs as well as bundles that include additional cleaning supplies. My favorites are the kits with the bronze brush, bore mop, microfiber cloth, CLP, and even a little brush that locks into the T-handle. Everything you need for an impromptu cleaning. They’ll all fit into a snack-size baggy, making it perfect for a hard or soft pistol case too.
The Universal Pistol cleaning kit retails for $46.19, and is just one of nearly 80 different kits that Otis offers. Prices start at $24.19 for the most basic kit, and go all the way up to $734.99 for their “Universal Range Box”. That kit is designed for larger groups of shooters, and is very comprehensive.
Additional info
I started shooting in the 80s, and by the early 90s, had a few firearms in my collection. Since then, I can’t recall a time when I didn’t have some Otis products in the plastic box I keep my cleaning supplies in. Now I have a mechanic’s rolling toolbox as my work/maintenance station. And it still has plenty of the basic Otis cleaning products. So when they offered me the opportunity to try out the Ripcords and consolidate my range cleaning kit into a compact pouch, I jumped at the opportunity. The Otis Ripcords are a game-changer, and a great match to the rest of their stuff. Check them all out at OtisTec.com.
As always, I’d like to thank Otis Technology for providing their products for my testing and evaluation.