Reddit reviews Hoppe's No. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod, .38/.357 Caliber, 9mm Pistol

Hoppes is a solvent used to remove lead and carbon from the cylinders and barrel. According to the label it does prevent rust in bores but it's a bit smelly and a good gun oil would be much better suited to wiping down the outside of the gun.

I made a video of all the cleaning supplies I'd recommend to assemble a good cleaning kit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYOcSWlGxmc

Since you only have one gun you can get by with 3 things you should be able to get at any walmart.

Cleaning rod set
Hoppes 9
Gun oil (rem oil, CLP ect..)


You can get everything in one kit The first one doesn't come with patches but you can cut up and old tshirt or pair of socks (according to the amazon reviews both come with patches)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RZSXCO6/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687702&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001A4N47G&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CD71YFXVFQT7FC1APXH

Includes patches
http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Cleaning-Aluminum-Caliber-Pistol/dp/B001A4N47G

.38 Spl commonly uses unjacketed lead bullets so your gun likely could use a good cleaning to get all the lead out. This lowers pressure, eases extraction and increases accuracy.

1. First take a patch and wipe solvent down the bore and cylinders.
   
2. Wait 10 minutes and hit it with a brass brush you dipped in solvent.
   
3. Then hit it with a clean patch dampened with solvent.
   
4. Then hit it with a clean dry patch.
   
5. If the patches aren't coming out exceptionally dirty or green colored move to the next step, if not go back to step 1.
   
6. Then hit it with an oiled patch and then a clean dry patch to get excess oil out.
   
   Now take a rag and wipe the whole gun with a bit of hoppes solvent to clean it and then with a bit of oil to protect it from rusting.
   
   Shoot the hell out of it.

I'm a gun newb an there might be better options but I've been happy using this for my first two months of gun ownership.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A4N47G/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HAPPY HAPPY CAKE DAY!!! PUMPKIN

A basic cleaning kit, a bottle of Break Free CLP, some disposable ear plugs, and a pair of safety goggles shouldn't run you more than $30 total and will be perfect for what you want. As you get more involved and buy more guns you'll buy more gear, better cleaning stuff (boresnakes and the like), you'll find an oil that you particularly like (personally, I'm partial to Militec and Strike Hold), and some fancy electronic ear-muffs and nice shooting glasses.

As far as a case, unless you're carrying an expensive rifle or custom match-grade pistol or you'll be rock climbing with it, you don't need a Pelican case. A $10 plastic pistol case with egg-crate foam inside will suffice for just about everything you will be doing with your pistol. I know you said you already ordered snap-caps, but I have to recommend the A-Zoom aluminum caps. The plastic ones break too easily.

If I could give you one piece of advice it would be this: I know that it's fun to buy every accessory ever made for your gun, but honestly most of them are more gimmicky than useful. Start simple and cheap and buy things as you need them. Learn from other shooters what works and what doesn't and make friends that will let you try their gear, guns, and accessories so that you aren't buying blindly. Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work well for you.

Good luck and welcome to the club!

Thanks,
I'm currently studying everything because this won't be happening until next week. (And then 3 days after making the sale!)

I grew up away from guns, but had plenty of time with them via Boy Scouts, and family that owned and let me shoot responsibly.

I figured with my fiance having a job that works weekends, I have like 5-6 hours every other to myself and instead of sitting home and playing video games I'd go out with my friends who all shoot.(and recommended the Hi-Point as a decent "beginner" handgun.)

The handgun cleaning kit I got was this one: http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Cleaning-Aluminum-Caliber-Pistol/dp/B001A4N47G/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1427734900&sr=1-1&keywords=handgun+cleaning+kit

and I lucked out and snagged two 10 round magazines for my C9 for about $20 BIN off eBay of all places. (Free shipping too!)

I got a tough plastic carry case, with padlocks, and a "bike lock" for through the chamber/grip to keep it extra safe. (Handgun bondage is what comes to mind). I am looking into lessons currently, but don't really have a desire to CCW (Club DJ, most of my "out and about" time is in nightclubs, inside conventions, or otherwise my apartment porch. Even then, most of my friends have CCW's and I'm typically not without them.)

I am nervous as this is my first, I know it's not the best but I'm excited to get into this hobby!

Thank you for the advice!

rust pitting under the nickel

there's really no good cheap answer. to keep things from getting worse give it a gentle scrubbing with an old tooth brush and some oil, wipe the whole thing down, then hit it with a little more oil. a rinse with warm water and a little soap wouldn't go amiss as long as you thoroughly dry afterwards.

this will get you by, but these are better and can accommodate a .22


i'm sure you've realized, but don't store things in cases