Reddit reviews Tipton Firearm Cleaning Pick Set with 4 Picks for Gun Cleaning and Maintenance

no, don't do it! Just buy a set of picks on Amazon - plastic, brass, unobtanium - so many options

https://smile.amazon.com/Tipton-549864-Cleaning-Picks/dp/B0048KGFHU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536755443&sr=8-2&keywords=plastic+cleaning+picks

Thanks! I haven't measured the retention without cleaning out the chute. There's still more than I'd like (I guess I shouldn't be surprised with a throat that large). I currently use a soft gun cleaning pick to brush out the grinds and there's less than 0.1g after that.

One thing that also helped was cutting out the thick screen grid in the throat. I thought about using some sort of bellows, but I'm a little worried it would force fine grinds into the motor with how the MDX is designed.

Not OP, but here's a set on Amazon. FWIW, I recently bought these but haven't used them yet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048KGFHU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504446630&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Cleaning+pick&dpPl=1&dpID=31XIZsD9z1L&ref=plSrch
Its long yes, but I'm on mobile.

Not expereinced in cleaning guns/accessories. How useful and good of a sale are these polymer gun cleaning picks on amazon?

OP:

Sounds like you have probably over-oiled your gun, or applied it in places you shouldn't.

Oil getting onto your ammo is a big problem as it can & will seep into the primer & powder and cause the round to not go off which is the last thing you need in a home defense / self defense weapon.

Be careful where you are applying lubrication.

I'd break it apart, dry it thoroughly with paper towels / rags & dry patches, then read the manufacturer's manual where they suggest lubricating & how much or google "Make & model of firearm lubrication" and I'm sure you'll find tons of info.

My primary firearms; ARs & 1911s, love & need to be run wet, but as much oil as I put on them I never notice more than a tiny smear on the brass from the slide / bolt contacting the top round in the magazine. That's all you should ever see too.

I'd set aside that round that you found covered in crap & prob dispose of it in the canister meant for dud rounds at the range. It's not worth possibly blowing up your gun and sure as hell don't leave that round in there for home / self defense.

EDIT:

Do yourself a favor & get some sort of needle-tip lubricant applicator. It lets you apply small amounts of your lube of choice exactly where you want it. Is also perfect for knives and anything else that needs lube:

https://shop.guntap.com/eezox/eezox-premium-gun-care/eezox-premium-gun-care-0.95-oz-syringe-needle-oiler

Eezox is my CLP of choice. My guns are in pristine condition due to using it. It is an incredible rust preventative, lube and cleaner.

Also get these tools - makes cleaning so much easier:

https://countycomm.com/products/nortons-u-c-s-universal-cleaning-stick

https://www.amazon.com/Tipton-549864-Cleaning-Picks/dp/B0048KGFHU

Use those tools with a patch to easily get into all the nooks & crannies of your gun.

Be careful on Countycomm's site....they have way too many amazing tools & gadgets. :-)

As far as ammo is concerned, it depends what he shoots - $60 is probably not going to get you much although I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

Ammo can "hamper" full of of cleaning supplies, gun socks & cleaning mats?

e.g.
http://www.amazon.com/Tipton-Polymer-Gun-Cleaning-Picks/dp/B0048KGFHU

http://www.amazon.com/Break-Free-Cleaner-Lubricant-Preservative-Squeeze/dp/B0050GW7KU

http://www.amazon.com/Break-Free-Cleaner-Lubricant-Preservative-Aerosol/dp/B0050GW73C

http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Company-Knit-Gun-Sock/dp/B00014ZY0Q

http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-24020-BoreSnake-Cleaner-Caliber/dp/B0014VQ6TI

http://www.amazon.com/MTM-AC-11-Ammo-Can/dp/B003ISKM9K

http://www.amazon.com/TekMat-11-Inch-17-Inch-Handgun-Cleaning/dp/B0036N9A3G

http://www.amazon.com/TekMat-12-Inch-36-Inch-Cleaning-Imprint/dp/B0036N474S

Laser

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