SubscribeIn 2005, Otis Technology responded to a solicitation from the Department of the Army for a much needed Weapons Cleaning Kit.
The Soldier Weapon Systems Group at Picatinny Arsenal entered into discussions with the Otis Team to produce a firearm cleaning kit that would be comprehensive, efficient and lightweight for the American Soldier on the front line.
Working through the development stage of the CQBK (Close Quarters Battle Kit) involved many discussions.
Close Quarters Battle Kit (CQBK)
Since it was designed to support the Infantry in the field, exposure to salt spray environments and adaptability were additional considerations. With the final direction set, Otis worked to complete the manufacturing at its facility in Lyons Falls, New York.
The CQBK military issue cleaning system is designed for the M4, M16, M249 and SCAR Light and cleans all other 5.56 weapon systems. Included in the system are flexible cleaning rods and swabs that quickly clean the receiver, chamber, neck and bore as well as obstruction removers that knock out bore obstructions and stuck cases.
A special scraper and picks for the bolt face, slide and locking lugs, and all purpose brushes maintain flawless performance in mission critical situations. Complete optics cleaning components are included, as well as a multiplier tool. Getting the right tools in the right configuration in a compact, molle-attachment, equipped case involved design, manufacturing and delivery capabilities that were critical elements in supplier selection for this project.
By cleaning Breech-to-Muzzle, carbon, dirt and fouling is pulled out the muzzle, not pushed back into the action, gumming the trigger or causing malfunctions. The patented all-caliber patches not only provide six passes per patch, but form a perfectly circular cleaning swab.
When the slotted tip with the patch is pulled through the chamber, it doesn't compress the patch against the side of the rod. Conventional rods will jam off-center, scraping the rifling in the process, and potentially ruin the bore. The 750 lb. pull strength of the Otis Memory-Flex cleaning rod allows you to tightly form the patch to the bore, actually cleaning it rather than just moving the dirt around.
The tight patch is formed by being pulled through the chamber, compressing in the throat, and cleans the leading edge of the rifling; the edge that actually bears the stress of the rotating bullet. For shotguns, custom soft durometer plugs, ("patch savers") force the patch to the full diameter of the bore, cleaning the chamber, forcing cone, bore and choke -- all without having to disassemble the gun!
The circular all-caliber patches are made of 100% cotton, and unlike cheap synthetic patches are not dissolved by the bore solvent turning into plastic gunk left on the rifling. The tight weave of these patches actually pulls metallic copper flake buildup out of the grooves rather than leaving fibers embedded along the bore.
The SupraTine brushes are custom made with more and finer bristles than lesser brands. The Molle strap cases are made of ballistic nylon, with heavy-duty locking zippers. The bore obstruction removers are designed to avoid deforming a stuck bullet and will gently force it out of the bore with multiple taps from the Memory-Flex rod. The Memory-Flex rod is nylon coated aircraft grade cable with compression welded fittings that will support over a quarter ton of pull force!
The Otis Premium CLP is one of the most advanced cleaning solutions ever developed. It will clean, penetrate, lubricate and leave a protective coating on all metal surfaces, without damaging the surrounding wood or plastic components. The solid forged brass tips and brushes will not corrode or oxidize like aluminum.
Aluminum oxide forms on aluminum rods, and like sandpaper will lap your bore with each pass, often followed by a significant loss of accuracy. You can clean your gun with the Otis kit thousands of times without a brass component ever scratching your muzzle or bore. Each kit comes with detailed information on how to properly clean and care for your firearm.
Over 1 million cleaning kits have been shipped to the troops to help keep them safe and functioning on the front lines. In 2006, Otis supplied more than 28,000 CQB Kits to the Army. The kit is now available on a long term contract with the Army making it readily available to the Soldier.
National Stock Numbers (NSN's) enable Army and other military personnel to easily purchase products approved by the U.S. Military. Otis currently has NSN's assigned to more than 70 of its products through the MCSS, AAFES, LCI, DLA and the DOD EMALL making it a convenient purchase to the Soldier wherever he/she might be stationed.
Located in upstate New York in the foothill of the Adirondacks, Otis Technology is a close neighbor to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in Watertown, New York.
Soldiers in the area often drop by to express their gratitude for such a lightweight, easy to use, and effective tool. "Frequent sand storms caused me to instruct my men to clean their weapons every hour," relayed one soldier from the 101st who recently stopped by Otis.
The Close Quarters Battle Kit will continue to provide the Infantry with a means to attain safe flawless performance from their firearm by beginning with the tools necessary for proper care and cleaning. Comment cards are included with each CQBK produced in 2007.
Feedback from the Infantry is very important to Otis in providing continuous improvement to the needs of the Soldier. More reports from the field on the kit's performance will be available soon. For further information, visit the website at www.otisgun.com.
Always Clean From Breech-To- Muzzle In The Natural Direction Of The Bullet.
When you fire your gun, the powder residue and dirt are in the barrel. The chamber and receiver are clean. If you run a brush or patch from the muzzle end you will push this dirt, residue, and moisture into the chamber and receiver. This is a major cause of stuck cases or problems with lever actions and auto-loading rifles and shotguns. If you push or pull a brush back toward the chamber, you will notice the brush will throw the debris from the bore back into the chamber and locking lugs.
Center The Tip And Rod. Be Careful Not To Let Either Rub The Bore.
All firearms record their history. This is the reason most people look down the barrel of a firearm. An experienced eye can tell the method of cleaning, the number of shots, and the gun maintenance applied to the firearm. Many marks are caused by people who carelessly let the tip or rod rub the inside the barrel.
Use A Clean Patch Surface Each Time You Go Down The Barrel.
This is similar to mopping a floor and rinsing the mop out. When you are using your firearm you will get abrasive dirt in the muzzle. The patch with solvent will flush this dirt out in the shortest distance. If you use this patch surface again, the dirt will be deposited in the chamber and neck. The next bullet down the barrel picks up this dirt and erodes the throat. This is the exact equivalent of cleaning in the wrong direction.
Never Run A Brush In The Barrel First.
This will damage the firearm. The brush will pick up dirt, moisture or powder residue and deposit it into the chamber or receiver. Never dip a brush in solvent. The solvent at the brush core will collect dirt and drop it into the receiver and chamber.
Never Go Back And Forth Reversing The Brush.
This will bend the bristles on the brush. This is the equivalent of bending a wire back and forth until it breaks. You will always ruin a brush if you reverse it while in the bore.
Use Only A Few Drops Of Solvent / Lubricant.
Many people think the more solvent the better. However, this will damage the firearm. Use only the solvent that the patch will absorb. If you see too much, the solvent or oil will drip down into the trigger mechanism. This will cause a gummy trigger. If you use too much oil, it will drain back toward the stock and cause premature failure of the wood.
