Lube (again) - Ballistol - anybody use this?

Ironbarr · July 2, 2001, 11:38 PM

I was handed a sample in a small squirt can. The other day at the range I noted they had the normal size... and read a company PR piece of two pages (in font size 8). Ballistol (German Mfr) has been around a while, emulsifies with water and stays put after water evaps. The PR piece gives skatey-eight places to use and enjoy - including firearms.

I haven't seen it mentioned on any recent thread re cleaners/lubes.

Anbody use it?

JNewell · July 3, 2001, 06:01 PM

OK, I'll give you two data points, but I haven't reached any conclusions.

1. Ballistol is what SIGArms Academy is using for cleaning and lubing. That's a pretty good number of shooters, so maybe there's something there.

2. Due to some very complicated semi-emergency circumstances this winter, I had to store some firearms, including some repro flintlocks with bright metal, in an unheated building this winter. I knew, when I did this, that in our climate condensation is a fact of life and metal rusts in this unheated building during the winter. Had no choice. I took a chance and coated everything with Ballistol, including the wood next to all metal surfaces. (I used a hand sprayer and applied with my hands, in a fairly thick coat.) The first piece of good news was that none of the metal showed any signs of corrosion at all after 8 weeks. The second piece of good news was that none of the stocks showed any signs of having had a "chemical" on them, unlike what usually happens when you get a petroleum-based product on wood (darkens wood, sometimes harms finish).

I have not really tried to evaluate it as a cleaner or as a lubricant. I will say that as a preservative it passed a pretty harsh real-world test. I am continuing to experiment...would be interested to hear from others.

johnwill · July 3, 2001, 06:09 PM

I have a small spray can of it, but I haven't used it on my guns yet, got it for general lubrication of hinges and the like...

BigG · July 3, 2001, 09:02 PM

I see spray cans of it like the size of a can of Krylon that costs either 12.95 or 15.95, I can't remember right now. Has a nice smell. Seems pricey. I'm still sticking to Breakfree and silicone cloths right now.

Ironbarr · July 3, 2001, 09:09 PM

remember $5 something, but I'll check that out.

slickpuppy · July 3, 2001, 09:56 PM

I have used the stuff for around 5 years now. It has excellent penetrating properties and I have used it to clean bores that didn't have much fouling in them.

Mostly I use it to wipe down my firearms before I put them up.

You can usually find it at Home Depot. I was about out a couple of weeks ago and found some at my local gunshop. The large spray can was $7.95.
I'm sure Home Depot is less.

**4V50 Gary** · July 7, 2001, 08:55 AM

It's a favorite among some of the blackpowder crowd.

Bill Daniel · July 8, 2001, 07:20 PM

Ballistol came with my Benelli M-90 12 years ago as Benelli's prefered cleaning lubricant. I have used it extensively on all my shot guns both target and hunting with excellent results. NO damage to synthetic stocks or fine wood finishes, excellent metal protection and no appreciable build-up.

All the best,
Bill Daniel
Life Member NRA

Ironbarr · July 8, 2001, 08:30 PM

any idea if it will stand up to a day of 50/100 rounds of .45ACP at the range in a new stainless steel (Charles Daly) 1911A1????

slickpuppy · July 9, 2001, 05:09 PM

Ironbarr,
I personally prefer a different lube than Ballistol for the slide rails of a 1911. I use Neco MolySlide on the rails, barrel, bushing, and slide release lever that see heavier friction.

MolySlide has no preservation properties, so I ensure that my firearms are stored with plenty of dessicant and corrosion inhibitor tabs and bags in addition to wiping them down with Ballistol before I put them in the safe. For me its necessary since I live on an island surrounded by salt water and air.

July 2, 2001, 11:38 PM	#1
Ironbarr Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2000 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,188	Lube (again) - Ballistol - anybody use this? I was handed a sample in a small squirt can. The other day at the range I noted they had the normal size... and read a company PR piece of two pages (in font size 8). Ballistol (German Mfr) has been around a while, emulsifies with water and stays put after water evaps. The PR piece gives skatey-eight places to use and enjoy - including firearms. I haven't seen it mentioned on any recent thread re cleaners/lubes. Anbody use it?

July 3, 2001, 09:02 PM	#4
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	I see spray cans of it like the size of a can of Krylon that costs either 12.95 or 15.95, I can't remember right now. Has a nice smell. Seems pricey. I'm still sticking to Breakfree and silicone cloths right now. __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

July 3, 2001, 09:09 PM	#5
Ironbarr Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2000 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,188	Seems I ... remember $5 something, but I'll check that out.

July 7, 2001, 08:55 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	It's a favorite among some of the blackpowder crowd. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 8, 2001, 07:20 PM	#8
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	Ballistol came with my Benelli M-90 12 years ago as Benelli's prefered cleaning lubricant. I have used it extensively on all my shot guns both target and hunting with excellent results. NO damage to synthetic stocks or fine wood finishes, excellent metal protection and no appreciable build-up. All the best, Bill Daniel Life Member NRA __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903

July 3, 2001, 06:01 PM	#2
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	OK, I'll give you two data points, but I haven't reached any conclusions. 1. Ballistol is what SIGArms Academy is using for cleaning and lubing. That's a pretty good number of shooters, so maybe there's something there. 2. Due to some very complicated semi-emergency circumstances this winter, I had to store some firearms, including some repro flintlocks with bright metal, in an unheated building this winter. I knew, when I did this, that in our climate condensation is a fact of life and metal rusts in this unheated building during the winter. Had no choice. I took a chance and coated everything with Ballistol, including the wood next to all metal surfaces. (I used a hand sprayer and applied with my hands, in a fairly thick coat.) The first piece of good news was that none of the metal showed any signs of corrosion at all after 8 weeks. The second piece of good news was that none of the stocks showed any signs of having had a "chemical" on them, unlike what usually happens when you get a petroleum-based product on wood (darkens wood, sometimes harms finish). I have not really tried to evaluate it as a cleaner or as a lubricant. I will say that as a preservative it passed a pretty harsh real-world test. I am continuing to experiment...would be interested to hear from others.

July 3, 2001, 06:09 PM	#3
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	I have a small spray can of it, but I haven't used it on my guns yet, got it for general lubrication of hinges and the like...

July 3, 2001, 09:56 PM	#6
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	I have used the stuff for around 5 years now. It has excellent penetrating properties and I have used it to clean bores that didn't have much fouling in them. Mostly I use it to wipe down my firearms before I put them up. You can usually find it at Home Depot. I was about out a couple of weeks ago and found some at my local gunshop. The large spray can was $7.95. I'm sure Home Depot is less.

July 8, 2001, 08:30 PM	#9
Ironbarr Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2000 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,188	Thanks for your inputs... any idea if it will stand up to a day of 50/100 rounds of .45ACP at the range in a new stainless steel (Charles Daly) 1911A1???? __________________ -AndyB FWTV - For Whatever The Value ...When seconds count, most help is just minutes away.

July 9, 2001, 05:09 PM	#10
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Ironbarr, I personally prefer a different lube than Ballistol for the slide rails of a 1911. I use Neco MolySlide on the rails, barrel, bushing, and slide release lever that see heavier friction. MolySlide has no preservation properties, so I ensure that my firearms are stored with plenty of dessicant and corrosion inhibitor tabs and bags in addition to wiping them down with Ballistol before I put them in the safe. For me its necessary since I live on an island surrounded by salt water and air.