Of course, a simple storage bin can easily do the trick, and quite honestly I used one for many years. Mostly because I had no idea that they made gun specific cleaning boxes. I was soon disappointed I hadn’t bought one earlier because as you soon will read, they have some amazing features that will be sure to keep your cleaning supplies organized.
Top Related Article – Best Gun Cleaning Kit
Plano Shooters Case – Gun Cleaning Supplies Storage Box
Plano’s shooter case is designed to provide storage and a carrying case for all of your gun cleaning supplies. When you first pick up the hunter green colored carrying case you’ll notice a durable plastic composite outer shell. The shell is durable and when sliding into a truck or packed on a shelf the case won’t flex or crush. Also attached to the outside of the shooters box is a black carrying handle that folds down when not in use.
Box Design –
I became even more impressed when I opened the box up for the first time. I noticed it had a yoke system for holding a firearm. The picture does it better justice, but if you are planning on taking your rifle or gun to the range this is a great spot to hold it when not in use. Plus it can even make for a traveling gun vise. Of course, if you are looking for an at-home maintenance vise check out our gun vises here. Aside from the yoke system, is a removable tray that sits at the top of the shooters box. This allows you to organize and store your solvents, patches, and even cleaning tips. Underneath the tray, you’ll find robust storage space for gun cleaning mats, tools, and extra solvents and oils.
Field Notes –
- 22″ L x 14.5″ W x 11.5″ H
- Color Available – Green
- Lifetime Warranty Against Defects
MTM Tactical Range Box – AR Gun Cleaning Box
If you own an AR or tactical rifle you have to check this range box out. This has to be the best gun cleaning box for AR owners. Right off the bat, MTM has designed a box that comes with an AR 223 magazine sized slot that allows you to prop your firearm in. This by far is a superior innovation we didn’t find anywhere else. The magazine holder allows you to break open your AR and inspect the bolt chamber for cleaning or maintenance. We never had any issue with the box tipping over with our firearms in the holder. And upon further inspection of opening this case, MTM even includes a yoke system for propping any firearm up as well. MTM made the yokes with rubber non-slip padding to protect your firearms when working on them.
Box Design –
On top of the great cleaning station, they provide a two-piece carrying case design that has a pull out tray similar to Plano’s. The tray offers space for jags, brushed, patches and solvents keeping them organized and easy to access. The entire top tray has a total of 18 compartments. We even had organized space for our small replacement parts. Plus when taking down our rifles it made a nice spot for pins and parts.
Field Notes –
- 24.6″ L x 11.3″ W x 8.3″ H
- 5 year warranty on MTM Case-Gard products
- 10 year warranty on Hinged Products
- Color Available- Black
MTM Tactical Range Box – AR Gun Cleaning Box
If you own an AR or tactical rifle you have to check this range box out. This has to be the best gun cleaning box for AR owners. Right off the bat, MTM has designed a box that comes with an AR 223 magazine sized slot that allows you to prop your firearm in. This by far is a superior innovation we didn’t find anywhere else. The magazine holder allows you to break open your AR and inspect the bolt chamber for cleaning or maintenance. We never had any issue with the box tipping over with our firearms in the holder. And upon further inspection of opening this case, MTM even includes a yoke system for propping any firearm up as well. MTM made the yokes with rubber non-slip padding to protect your firearms when working on them.
Box Design –
On top of the great cleaning station, they provide a two-piece carrying case design that has a pull out tray similar to Plano’s. The tray offers space for jags, brushed, patches and solvents keeping them organized and easy to access. The entire top tray has a total of 18 compartments. We even had organized space for our small replacement parts. Plus when taking down our rifles it made a nice spot for pins and parts.
Field Notes –
- 24.6″ L x 11.3″ W x 8.3″ H
- 5 year warranty on MTM Case-Gard products
- 10 year warranty on Hinged Products
- Color Available- Black
Plano Field Box With Lift Out Tray – Affordable Gun Cleaning Box
One thing that really sets this apart from other boxes and storage bins is that it has storage space n the lid. The compartments are perfect for small jags and brushes included in universal cleaning kits. Plus, the Plano box even offers a water-resistant seal. That way moisture is prevented from getting inside the box. I actually even dual purpose my box for when I hunt because it’s perfect for the essentials like ammo and hunting gear. So, if you ever upgrade and get a different cleaning box you can simply use this box for hunting some day down the road.
Field Notes –
- 15″ L x 8″ W x 10″ H
- Color Available – Green
- Lifetime Warranty Against Defects
What To Look For In The Best Gun Cleaning Box –
To make sure you select the best gun cleaning box we wanted to offer up some tips and thoughts before you purchase. Therefore, you won’t have to return or regret purchasing a gun cleaning box in the future.
Size –
When considering purchasing a cleaning kit box, be sure to know what you are all going to store inside of it. I know when I first started using a cleaning kit I had a small Hoppe’s Universal cleaning kit and that was about it. However, at that time I only had one firearm to clean so it served it’s purpose well. However, as soon as I started getting into shooting and hunting more, I also purchased more firearms. Therefore, I started to accumulate more cleaning supplies when I found out how important it was to keep your guns cleaned and oiled properly. Soon, I had cleaning mats, solvents, oils, different size jags and nothing fit into my original gun cleaning box. This is when I set out to purchase the best gun cleaning box, and I made sure to measure my gun cleaning mat and cleaning rods to ensure they would fit into the gun cleaning boxes I was selecting.
Storage –
All of the boxes on our list above have more than enough storage for cleaning kits, tools, and solvents. However, if you are planning on using your cleaning box as a range box as well, which at times can be a smart decision in the event you need to clean your gun on the range, be sure to check and see if you can store ammo, earplugs and shooting supplies when you purchase the box. Making sure there are spots to organize your tools and equipment is important as well. I found out the hard way when you start dumping everything into a storage bin, it makes it quite hard to find anything versus having storage trays like these gun cleaning boxes.
Value –
Most gun cleaning boxes are pretty affordable or at best can dual purpose as a range box, gun rest and cleaning box. So, when you do purchase your gun cleaning box be sure you invest in a quality one that can last for quite a few years.