Updated: January 8th, 2021

There are so many reasons why you should purchase the best gun cleaning vise. One of the easiest ways to become familiar with your gun is to make use of a gun cleaning vise to perform regular cleaning. A gun cleaning vise will extend the lifespan of your gun and help you avoid costly maintenance in the long run. Cleaning your gun, especially after use will help in preventing all sorts of malfunctions. Incomplete discharge is a common occurrence in guns that are not properly cleaned.

Incomplete discharge occurs when a fired round gets stuck inside because of dirt and debris. Aside from incomplete discharge, your gun’s mechanism may fail to eject when the gun is not cleaned regularly.

What is a Gun Vise?

Before we get started, you might have one question if you are a new gun owner – what is a gun vise?

A gun vise is a tool that makes your life much easier when you are cleaning, servicing, gunsmithing, or maintaining your firearm. Essentially, a proper gun vise can be dadjusted to your firearm, allowing you to secure it upward and in place. This allows you more convenient access to all areas of the rifle while you clean or service it, so you don’t have to worry about the gun moving about.

As you can imagine, gun vises come in many shapes and sizes, and you’ll need to get the one most suited to your needs. Luckily, we’ll be checking out a variety of excellent gun vises in this article.

What to Look for Choosing the Best Gun Cleaning Vise?

You should not jump into buying a gun vise without checking out the factors highlighted here. This small guide can help you avoid wasting your money on inferior product.

  • The general structure and design. The metallic designs are generally strong while the durable plastic body is lighter, yet it can withstand mechanical impact. It needs to be strong so it can securely hold your gun in place for the duration of your work.
  • The storage space. Generally, the more storage spaces available, the more organized you can be when arranging your tools. Many people might not pay attention to this factor when purchasing a vise. Check out whether the rifle vise has compartments, grooves, latches, or anywhere else you can store things.
  • Stability and elevation. The best gun vise must come with a system that increases stability and elevation of the firearm during usage. This allows you to place the gun in a comfortable position for firearm cleaning or maintenance. It also allows you easier access to all parts of the If it is properly elevated, you can reach under and around the gun with ease to work on it properly.
  • Compactness and storage. An ideal gun vise should be stored easily, especially in the face of a limited space.

10 Best Gun Cleaning Vise Comparisons & Reviews

#1 Caldwell Lead Sled DFT

CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise ReviewYou should consider this gun vise because it scores one of the highest points during the recoil reduction test. This device has completely revolutionized the manner in which amateurs, beginners, and professionals are testing their shooting skills. It is quite versatile, that is why it fits perfectly with shotguns and rifles.

Caldwell is one of the leading manufacturers of firearm accessories, especially the ones used in homes. It is of no surprise that this product makes it to the list of the top gun vises around. You will surely find this device very useful and handy right from the first day.

The main features and specifications for this versatile Gun vise quite impressive. First, it is relatively lightweight. The body is also designed from steel frame material. There is an amazing dual-frame design to disperse the recoil energy. There is also a rubberized cradle to hold the gun securely without causing damage or scratches.

This Gun vise relies on the baffle and tray system for the device to remain in the optimal shooting position. The gun vise has a multi-surface rear foot that helps in maintaining firm grip or contact on all kinds of surfaces. The efficient baffle and tray system provides 100% effective weight dispersion during usage, and is an amazing addition to this device.

#2 CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise

CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise ReviewYou can refer to this Gun Vise as one of the most versatile Gun cleaning devices around because of its flexible nature (just be sure to pick up a quality gun cleaning kit).

This Gun vise is not just for cleaning, it is a complete gun maintenance and gun-sighting device. It is designed to securely hold your gun while you clean it. One of the greatest features of this Gun vise is that it can accommodate all sizes and brands of guns and pistols.

The p3 Ultimate Gun Vise is one of the most popular and one of the most highly-rated gun vises today because of its superb performance when you need a device for sighting activities and efficient cleaning and maintenance of your guns & ammunition. If you don’t mind spending extra for an excellent quality device, this is one option you should consider right away.

The CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise has an optional rest attachment that converts the device into a shooting rest.

Overall, you will be amazed at the most durable heavy-duty steel design materials used in its making. It is coated with E-coat finishing in the interior and exterior. There is also a 3-point leveling option here for different applications. Similarly, you will be surprised that it has both a horizontal and vertical (Y) telescoping front for easy adjustments to all firearms. Relatively lightweight and easy to handle, and simply a great device overall.

#3 Tipton Best Gun Vise

Tipton Best Gun ViseReviewAs the name implies, this is one of the best gun vises that you may want to consider right now. It has an “L” shape center that can securely hold a break open shotgun and also separate quick release cam blocks in order to hold any stock shape. This device is fully adjustable; hence it can accommodate most firearms of different lengths. These include; shotguns, muzzleloaders, pistols, bolt action rifle, AR, and other rifles.

Tipton is one of the most trusted gun accessory manufacturers. Thus, you will never be disappointed when it comes to their top quality products, and this gun cleaning stand is no exception. You will find this product highly resistant to strong mechanical impacts. But make sure you read the manual before operating it.

The most striking feature of this gun vise is the T-track for vertical adjustments that works with three different support levels for positioning your arms. There are also custom patched storage compartments alongside 2 adjustable clamping options, which are located at the rear base to create a tight grip for your stocks.

#4 Portable Armorer’s Vise

Viseportable Armorer’s ViseThis device is best used as a cleaning, Gunsmithing and maintenance Gun Vise. You don’t have to be a professional to use this gun vise, although it does have a bit of a learning curve.

The first thing you will notice about this vise is that it looks very different from the other vises on our list. In fact, it is a wholly different construction than the average gun vise, as it actually “clamps” onto your work bench, where you can secure the gun in the vise. You will find the easy-to-follow instructional manual very helpful here. Once the learning curve is done with, it is actually quite the handy and portable gun vise.

You can break this device down to its units after use and then reassemble it whenever you want to use it again – this will surely make it easier for you to store. Once this gun vise is assembled, it will lock your firearm in place securely.

You don’t need to be told that this gun vise is one of the most valuable products you can add to your outdoor adventure devices. It is sturdy and can withstand moderate to high mechanical impacts. You need to check the manual for maintenance advice that will prolong the lifespan of this gun vise.

The Hyskore Armorer’s Vise is fortified with a body that is designed with a welded-steel construction and foam padded jaws. It is a rotating vise that rotates 360 degrees around a central access so you can get at your gun from all angles. In fact, once you get the hang of it, you might find it more convenient than the traditional gun vise.

Not the most conventional vise, but give it a shot. You might be surprised at how convenient this thing is once you get over the learning curve.

Some have even used this vise to hold bows. So consider it if you’re an archer.

#5 Tipton 782731 Gun Vise

Tipton Gun Vise ReviewThe Tipton Gun Vise is an excellent choice if you want a simple gun vise for gunsmithing and cleaning purposes. It is quite simple but very efficient in handling all kinds of weapons.

This is another Tipton gun vise device that makes the top 10 list because of its superb delivery and excellent compact design. If you are new to the use of a Gun Vise, this could be a great option because it helps you learn quickly, especially with its easy-to-understand manual.

The Tipton Gun vise comes with a simple, one-piece design that is quite easy to handle. It also has a relatively lightweight in design. The device has a manual to facilitate assembly. The manual is written in diverse languages; hence the product is shipped to many countries.

There are a number of functional internal compartments to keep your essential tools, removable parts, and cleaning solvents. It also comes with an easy to store package.

#6 Hoppe’s Gun Vise

Hoppe’s Gun ViseThe Hoppe’s Gun Vise is ergonomically designed to handle the maintenance and cleaning of your firearm. You will definitely find this device very simple to use, even a mere look at it shows how compact and aesthetically appealing it can be. Aside from its compactness, the device has a dull black and red coating that is resistant to chemical and environmental conditions – this will surely elongate the lifespan of the gun vise.

You will discover sooner how this vise out-performs many of its contemporaries, even for such a simple design. It is designed with the common user in mind, and it delivers superb results right from the moment you start using it.

The Hoppe’s Gun Vise has a very sturdy design for extra stability and strength. You will also find here, an adjustable rear vise that provides elevation for holding your firearm at the right angles. Extra protection is provided by the clamps that prevent scratching and marring problems on your guns. The clamps are adjustable to hold properly all kinds of rifles and shotguns.

#7 Plano Shooters Case (X-Large)

Plano Shooters Case (X-Large) ReviewThe Plano Shooters Case is quite a handy gun vise, especially if you want a device that offers very deep storage. It is quite compact and takes up less storage space than many of its main rivals.

Unlike most of its rival gun vises, this device has a staggered yoke system that holds the rifle in place – this system ensures that the firearm is protected against shakes and falls.

This Plano shooters case managed to make it to the top 10 list because of its rugged designs and ability to deliver great results always. It performs above average, even with its unique look. It is reliable and can be used under different terrains.

The Plano Shooters Case is constructed with a hard body material that makes it extra durable. The plastic hardbody has a paint that is resistant to chemical attacks. It has a staggered yoke system that suspends the gun at an angle that makes cleaning a lot easier. The handles on both sides will make carrying the device from one place to the other a lot easier.

#8 Tipton 110011 Ultra Gun Vise

Tipton 110011 Ultra Gun Vise ReviewHere’s another excellent Tipton vise for you to consider. The Tipton 110011 Ultra Gun Vise may look like a complex device from afar, but you will be surprised at how quickly you will get used to it. Aside from being multi-functional, this device is also packed with several other features.

It has molded rubber pads that protect it from mechanical damage from bows and firearms. If you want a device that can be used for cleaning or scope mounting – this is the right option. You will be pleased that it can also be used for gun maintenance and gunsmithing activities.

Tipton 11011 will always remain one of the top three gun vises in the market today, especially  when you are looking for a device that delivers great value for money. You may not find it appealing as a beginner, but you will certainly get used to it quickly as time goes by.

Tipton 11011 is built with a rigid steel frame design that makes it last for decades. The solvent-resistant components can withstand all manner of chemical and non-chemical attacks. You will also like the two accessory trays that can be removed or arranged for different activities. 

#9 Tipton Compact Vise

Tipton Compact ViseThe Tipton Compact Range Vise is another excellent option from (no surprise) Tipton. This one is ideal if you are looking for the most portable vise on the market. You can bring this vise with you into the field, and have a high-performing tool anywhere you go.

Although it is quite small and compact, it is very functional. It has two cleaning forks for you to position your weapon as you please, and the non-slip rubber pads keep the device in place.

The device can be contracted and expanded using the sliding rails in the middle, which make it suitable for a wide variety of firearms.

You might actually prefer this vise because it is just so simple. Instructions are included but we don’t think you’ll need them. It’s easy to figure out upon first glance, and you can be set-up in under a minute.

It’s not the most extensive device, and it’s not made of the most high-quality materials, but it’s a functional, portable gun vise that gets the job done.

#10 MTM GV-30 Gun Vise Cleaning and Maintenance Center

Mtm Gv 30 Gun Vise Cleaning And Maintenance CenterHere’s another vise that we really like, primarily because it’s such a simple design. It’s extremely easy to secure your gun, and it can be adjusted to fit a wide variety of firearms.

This vise also has various compartments built right in. It’s designed to keep everything organized and in-place, with spaces for various cleaning supplies and gun components. If you’re a neat freak, then this is the vise for you.

Although it looks a little on the “cheap” side, it’s actually quite the durable and well-crafted vise. It’s made in the USA from chemical resistant polypropylene. It also has slip-resistant rubber pads on the underside.

It’s also quite a portable vise. Weighing in at 5 pounds, you can easily take this into the field for easy set-up and use. Overall, not the fanciest vise, but that’s why we like it so much. Sometimes you just need a simple device so you can focus on the task at hand.

Comparison Chart

Gun Vise Pros Cons
#1 Caldwell Lead Sled DFT
  • With its dual frame alignment feature, you can adjust the gun vise by up to 22” to make it fit for all sizes of shotgun and rifles.
  • The device has an excellent fingertip control, plus an efficient windage and elevation adjustments that suit every category of user.
  • There is a rear elevation collar feature that assists you to make corrections in the elevation setting and to ensure you remain within the right shooting range. Even first-time users will find this feature extremely useful.
  • You can make use of the stock-stabilizer rear bag to prevent the stick-shift effect when you take shots.
  • It is more expensive than many similar Gun Vises in its class.
  • While it is highly efficient for sighting in, the rest of the tool comes with its own limitations.
#2 CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise
  • There is a locking thumb for added stability on the Gun Vise.
  • This gun vise has the ability to adjust to all kinds of firearms, most especially rifles and pistols.
  • A vibrant solid frame ensures that it does not tip, wiggle or fall over, especially when you are cleaning your gun or using the device as a shooting rest.
  • It holds excellently well to mounted arms.
  • You may need to purchase adapters if you want to convert the Gun Vise into a shooting rest- this will cost you extra. You need to ask if the optional rest attachment will be included at point of purchase.
  • Slightly more expensive than many Gun vises with similar capabilities and features.
#3 Tipton Best Gun Vise
  • Versatility is one of the most striking features you will appreciate about this device. It can be configured to hold all manners of rifles, bolt actions, handguns and extendable magazine rifles.
  • Very durable- it is resistant to chemical solvents; hence it can last for decades under heavy usages.
  • There is a central aluminum channel that allows you to move different components to their ideal position for your firearm. This is a great benefit that reduces the time for assembling and positioning.
  • Though it is effective in every way the gun vise is quite stiff, hence you need to apply some extra energy when in use.
  • This device may be slightly complicated for you as a beginner.
  • Once your gun is loaded, there is no way you can level the vise. All you can do is allow the weapon to remain snugged and make use of the bubble level to adjust appropriately.
#4 Hyskore Cleaning & Sighting Vise
  • This device can be clamped to your workbench for easy work anywhere. There is also a helpful elevation adjustment for precision gunsmithing, and cleaning.
  • It is super-portable; hence you can carry it easily from one place to the other. But you’ll need a place to attach it.
  • With its instructional manual, you can assemble this gun vise in less than 5 minutes.
  • Much more affordable than a traditional style of gun vise.
  • Definitely,not you’re average gun vise. There’s a learning curve involved here. Check out the instructions to learn more. .
  • Its extra-lightness means you will have to anchor the device down before usage.
  • The gun vise must not be used as a shooting rest.
#5 Tipton 782731 Gun Vise
  • The contact surfaces are non-marring; thus, your gun is adequately protected when loaded on the device.
  • The device has a wide range of support to hold your firearm in place for easy cleaning and for efficient gunsmithing. Available supports include rear-resting, wider front support, and resting pads above and below the gun vise.
  • The gun vise is designed to allow you zeroing of a scope and for performing thorough maintenance cleaning at the right angles.
  • It can be adjusted effectively to suit the length and body of different firearms.
  • The gun vise may not be compatible with AR 15 rifles stocks and magazines, however, the normal rifle stocks, as well as shotguns, will work perfectly with the device.
  • Putting the gun vise together may be a challenge especially for beginner users of Gun Vises, however, the manual may help somehow.
  • You will need to create a vertical storage space if you don’t like disassembling the gun vise after use.
#6 Shooters Ridge Champion Shooting Vise
  • vise because of its extra stability and a firm grip on your firearm.
  • One piece design means it can be transported easily from one place to the other.
  • Highly adjustable vise that can adapt to rifles, shotguns, and other guns.
  • It is cost-effective and easy to store, especially where there is a limited space.
#7 Plano Shooters Case (X-Large)
  • The gun vise and shooter’s case have one of the biggest storage designs to hold all your supplies in one place. The device has a very large lift-out tray to hold some other essentials.
  • While the lift-out tray stores smaller items, the inner deep chamber of the gun vise can store bulky items. Multiple storage options make this device very efficient to use.
  • It is inexpensive when compared to its main rivals, hence it is an excellent price bargain.
  • When the rifle is mounted, it can take up half of the entire space below and the lid cannot be closed.
  • The plastic body material may be durable, but high impact mechanical attacks can break it, hence it must be carefully stored and handled.
#8 Tipton 110011 Ultra Gun Vise
  • The gun vise is designed to work with all kinds of arms and devices, these include shotguns, handguns, crossbows, compound bows, muzzleloaders and rifles.
  • If you are working on shorter pistols or short-framed rifles, all you have to do is slide the clamps closer to hold the pistol or rifle in place.
  • Scope leveling is easier with this device because it has some in-built leveling feet at each corner.
  • The pads of the gun vise can adapt to any surface, thanks to the ball and socket articulating clamps attached.
  • The adjustment knobs of the gun vise even make the handling more ergonomic.
  • It is quite cumbersome and will occupy more space than most of its competitors. First-time users may find it confusing in the beginning but will quickly get used to it.
  • It is not designed for sighting, but it is an excellent gun vise for cleaning, and for scope mouthing plus gunsmithing.
#9 Tipton Compact Vise
  • So easy to set up and use. Fold out the stands and adjust the sliding rails.
  • Extremely portable – lightweight and compact.
  • Can fit a wide variety of guns.
  • Not as secure as a gun vise with a better grip.
  • Not made with high-quality materials.
#10 MTM GV-30 Gun Vise Cleaning and Maintenance Center
  • Very simple vise, easy to set-up and use.
  • Made in the USA from high quality
  • Non-slip rubber pads keep device in place.
  • Can be slightly adjusted but not as much as other options on our list.
  • Not the most durable option.

Top Gun Vise FAQs

Why Use a Gun Cleaning Vise?

There are several reasons why you should consider the gun cleaning vise. Most of these reasons are for your own safety and the protection of the lifespan of your firearms. A gun vise secures your rifles, shotguns or other ammunition for easy cleaning. They offer a great assistance. They provides sufficient storage to hold your solvents and other tools needed during cleaning and sighting activities. Moreover, they provide a temporary or permanent storage housing for your ammunition.

What are Gun Vises Made of?

There can be variations in the structure and design materials used in making gun vises. While some are made with excellent quality plastics, some are made with steel metals and some combine both materials. The plastic material is usually the sturdy polypropylene material. The maintenance cleaning tray for tools and solvent use pads and rubberized compartments to prevent scratches and dents on the gun. An excellent E-coat finishing that is resistant to chemical and adverse weather conditions is often used also.

How Do I Use a Gun Vise to Zero My Rifle?

To use your gun vise to zero your rifle, you need to make use of the gun rest feature on the gun vise. This feature allows you to make a very small contact with the rifle when you aim, hence it reduces human errors to zero. Though you may still hit your target after two to four shots, the possibilities of errors are greatly reduced.

Does Every Gun Vise Fits AR15 Rifles?

No, many gun vises do not fit AR15 rifles. The reason for this is that AR15s do come with larger frames that are not compatible with the inbuilt designs of most gun vises. It is important to ask about this when purchasing a gun vise, whether offline or online, in order to save yourself the trouble of not being able to use your AR15 with the gun vise.

Going Forward – Cleaning Your Gun Properly

Thanks so much for checking out our guide to the best gun cleaning vises. Remember, a vise is just one tool you need to properly clean your firearm. For more info on gun cleaning supplies, check out our guide to the best cleaning rod and the best cleaning mat.

Michel Pedneault

Michel Pedneault

Michel Pedneault has been blogging for more than three decades. He is a former lead writer at various self defense publishers. Michael has written 100s of reviews for various defense & tactical gear. He is fond of travelling, adventures and discovering new things. You can reach him at twitter @pedneault

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