FOG HORN March 2020

Twobirds Flying Publications

OTIS Technology Reality Based Training Cleaning Kit

Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 OTIS Technology Reality Based Training Cleaning Kit
OTIS Technology Reality Based
Training Cleaning Kit
By: Sal Palma
It’s always rewarding when you learn something
new, it’s an enlightening and maturing effect
that’s irreplaceable.
While at Shot Show 2020, I had the opportunity
to drop by the OTIS Technology booth to check
out what the industry recognizes as the best
weapon cleaning systems under the sun. And,
by the way OTIS Technology is much more than
just a gun maintenance supplier, they are
growing but that’s a tale for a different article.
Getting back to my Shot Show story…
While perusing their exhibit my eyes spied an
opaque plastic case displaying a colorful label
with an “OTIS Technology Reality Based Training
Cleaning Kit.” label. After starring at it for a
second or two my mind screams out what the
hell is “Reality Based Training?” Unfortunately,
in my haste to make a number of appointments,
I walked off without getting what I thought was
a profound question answered. I did not make
the mental connection between weapon
cleaning and marking ammunition. I now see
the picture and I want to thank OTIS Technology
for sending a kit to review.
2020
Law enforcement and military training has
advance by leaps and bounds since I was in
uniform. Today’s SWAT officers, FBI tactical
agents and military personnel use reality based
training. So, what is that?
As the name suggests when you train to clear a
room, you clear a room and engage live targets.
You engage your fellow trainees using marker
ammunition like Simmunition’s marker
ammunition.
This training ammunition is a non-lethal low
kinetic energy round tipped in a variety of
colored water soluble paints. They are not toys
and safety precautions are required but it adds
a level of realism previously unavailable.
There are several significant benefits to
consider. The shooter trains using his or her
own weapon, experiences weapon recoil and
has immediate visual feedback. However,
weapon maintenance is still required; although,
a bit different because now you’re dealing with
paint and plastic fragments from the marker
capsules.
When setting your weapon up to use marking
ammunition, you remove your live fire bolt
carrier group and replace it with a conversion
kit consisting of a conversion bolt, bolt carrier
Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
 OTIS Technology Reality Based Training Cleaning Kit
assembly and safety-ring insert. This is done to
ensure that live ammunition can’t be
inadvertently chambered and fired, but like
your live fire bolt carrier group it too needs
cleaning and maintenance. OTIS Technologies
recognized the need and filled it with the OTIS
Technology Reality Based Training Cleaning Kit,
which they announced in January of 2020. OTIS
sells the kit in two calibers, for the moment,
9mm and 5.56mm.
My review sample is the 5.56. So, let’s inventory
what OTIS includes in the set.
The kit includes all of the Breach to Muzzle
cleaning tools: Ripcord®, slotted tip, bore brush
and 100% cotton patches.
Also included is a
chamber brush and
solid rod set for
proper cleaning of the
chamber, a bent pick
and single tip cotton
swabs for removing
any paint or projectile
fragments from the chamber. Also included in
the kit is a stiff blue nylon AP brush for
removing plastic or paint fouling from the bolt
face and lugs. Lastly, they’ve even included a
can of Shooter’s Choice Quick Scrub and FP-10®
Lubricant Elite®; in short, everything you need
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2020
to maintain your weapon after training with
marking ammunition.
Although the scope of this kit is addressing the
needs of training firearms, everything in this kit
is what you would need to properly maintain
your live fire weapon.
OTIS Technology even includes instructions that
walk you through the cleaning procedures and
proper use of the OTIS patch technology. How’s
that for thoroughness!
Whether you are firing marking ammunition or
live firing, OTIS Technology has assembled an
exceptional and comprehensive cleaning kit.
Everything that you need is included at an
M.S.R.P of $49.99.
Whether you’re training or running live fire
exercises keeping your weapon clean and
lubricated translates to reliability, which in turn
allows you to focus on concepts and technique
uninterrupted by avoidable failures. The OTIS
Technology Reality Based Training Cleaning Kit
is what you need in the field or on your bench.
Check it out.
-SP