for handgun cleaning what cleaners do you use?

chrisintexas · August 30, 2014, 10:55 AM

solvents
for lubrication
or do you use all around product?
thanks

Prof Young · August 30, 2014, 07:22 PM

I used to use "gun scrubber" but then figured out its the same as carb and choke cleaner which is cheaper. For lubricant, but only if it's needed, I use Sheath. Truly dirty barrel, I use hoppes. Stinky but it works.

Live well, be safe.
Prof Young

JWT · August 30, 2014, 11:20 PM

For cleaning - MPro-7. For lube any good oil and/or grease. Like Tetra grease and Hoppes oil.

**JohnKSa** · August 31, 2014, 02:47 AM

Outers Nitro Solvent is what I typically use to loosen carbon deposits in the bore. I wet the bore with it before I use a bore brush.

I haven't seen much difference in nitro solvents. They all seem to operate at about the same level of effectiveness. The only one I could tell was really better than the rest was the old BreakFree Solvent. I can't find it anymore. It was perfectly clear--looked like water, had an unusual sweet odor, and came in a small glass jar. I still have a small amount somewhere but they must have quit making it.

I use Hoppes Elite or M-Pro 7 for removing copper. I can't tell much difference in how they work. BreakFree or Outers foaming bore cleaners also work well for this. I generally alternate a 10-15 minute soak with one of these four cleaners with the Nitro Solvent and some bore brushing. These aren't particularly aggressive copper removers, but they do a good enough job that I rarely use anything else for copper these days. A nice side effect is that these cleaners have a very mild odor and are non-toxic. These cleaners have dramatically reduced my bore cleaning time and effort. I do almost no bore-brushing now compared to what I used to do.

I have tried Hoppes Elite Foaming cleaner and it's a bust, IMO. I had high hopes after seeing how effective the regular Hoppes Elite cleaner was but for some reason they changed something in the formula and the result is pretty useless.

For really stubborn deposits, I use RemClean. You MUST follow the directions on this stuff and shake the bottle well before using. It contains a mild, non-embedding abrasive that has to be shaken into suspension before you put some on a patch or it won't do much of anything. Put this stuff on a tight-fitting patch and work it back and forth in the bore and it will remove the final stubborn remains of metal fouling or carbon deposits. I don't use it on a regular basis, just when I can tell that there is fouling that's not coming out with anything else. Be sure to flush any remaining residue of the cleaner out of the bore and try not to get it into areas with moving parts unless you can be sure you can completely clean it out afterwards.

I have cleaned with only BreakFree CLP in a pinch. It's a good nitro/carbon solvent but does nothing to remove copper fouling. It's what's in my range bag.

For general cleanup (wiping off fouling) I use different things at different times and for no particular reason. Hoppes Elite or MPro 7 on a paper towel or an old rag works well. You will have to wipe the cleaned parts down with an oily cloth when you're done as both of these cleaners will leave the metal unprotected.

Ballistol or BreakFree CLP work well for wipedown/cleanup if you want something that's going to leave a residue of lubricant when you're done. Ballistol doesn't seem to be quite as good a cleaner and from what I've seen in testing it's not quite as good at corrosion protection as BreakFree CLP. I've been using it lately because I bought some to try it out and haven't used it all up yet. I usually use BreakFree CLP to wipe down all metal parts when they're clean to leave a very light oily residue for protection against corrosion.

I have a number of lubricants I use on handguns. Dillon Snake Oil is a good oil that doesn't evaporate and has virtually no smell. It's also non-toxic. Lubriplate FMO350AW is another oil in the same vein which probably offers a little better corrosion protection. BreakFree CLP does just fine for this application as well.

I also use light grease for areas where friction is obviously causing wear marks or where it's obvious that there is the potential for significant wear due to metal-to-metal contact. There are a lot of different light greases out there and I'm not sure that there's a huge amount of difference in how well they work.

A light white lithium grease like Permatex sells in the small squeeze tubes will work well. Lubriplate makes a grease called SFL-B that is very good and is also non-toxic. Both of these greases have the advantage of not being too bad about staining materials they come in contact with. Tetra gun grease is ok as well but I didn't care for it because it seemed a little less "durable" when I used it.

For most handgun applications, a good anti-seize will work. Just be aware that they can be really messy to clean up and seem to get on EVERYTHING that comes in contact with the object being lubricated.

Brownell's Action Lube and the other moly-based/moly-containing greases work well but are messy like the anti-seize greases are.

I generally shy away from greases/lubes that contain graphite because some sources indicate that under some circumstances it can interact badly with aluminum. Check the ingredients because it's not uncommon for grease/anti-seize products to contain graphite.

Pond, James Pond · August 31, 2014, 03:13 AM

I use Hoppes' #9 to clean, dislodge stuff.

Then I use either Ballistol or Forrest Gun lubricant to keep things smooth.

My choices are largely due to availability. Certainly Hoppe's and Ballistol comes with recommendations from TFL members.

Forrest came with recommendations from the guy selling it, surprise, surprise but does the job. One drop on each frame rail on my old G19 did the trick and it stayed slick no matter how long it was before the next trip and clean.

mete · August 31, 2014, 03:46 AM

Especially when cleaning light weight revolvers read the instructions first .Some of the guns have special coatings .If these coatings are removed in cleaning the metal may be damaged. With those guns claen and shiney may not be
the best idea .!

Grizz12 · August 31, 2014, 06:37 AM

frog lube

Bowdog · August 31, 2014, 07:11 AM

I mix Hoppe's and Kroil oil. It cleans and lubrication all in one. Even remove flash marks off SS cylinders after repeated use

chrisintexas · August 31, 2014, 10:57 AM

outers nitro solvent says it also leaves little oil to lubricate?
what about Hoppe's Lubricating Oil to lubricate?
do you use anything else to prevent rust?
thanks

precision_shooter · August 31, 2014, 11:02 AM

I use the KISS method...
Hoppes 9 to clean
CLP to lubricate/keep rust away.

Bozz10mm · August 31, 2014, 11:13 AM

I've been using the liquid Frog Lube as a cleaner and it works pretty well. Gun Scrubber is great for removing oil and grease before applying FL, but it doesn't seem to do much as far as removing carbon and soot.

After cleaning with the liquid FL, I apply the paste using a heat gun to warm the metal. When it cools, I wipe off ALL the excess.

indie_rocker · August 31, 2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by precision_shooter

I use the KISS method...
Hoppes 9 to clean
CLP to lubricate/keep rust away.

Ditto^^^
I mainly use BreakFree CLP for everything and turn to hoppes 9 if there's heavy copper fouling. Flitz works for copper fouling if I'm feeling lazy, few passes with it and a nylon brush do wonders for heavy copper. Just make sure you are liberal with oil afterwards.

chrisintexas · September 2, 2014, 02:26 PM

still unsure on lubricators
has anyone used Eezox?

CowTowner · September 2, 2014, 04:17 PM

BoreTech Eliminator and Slip2000 EWL

Captains1911 · September 2, 2014, 07:03 PM

For all my guns, I use Hoppes #9 for cleaning the bore and Slip 2000 for cleaning everything else.

Mike40-11 · September 7, 2014, 03:13 PM

Used to hear a fair bit of discussion of Ed's Red. Not so much anymore.

Equal parts:
Kerosene
Mineral Spirits
Acetone
Automatic Transmission Fluid

Mixed up a gallon sized batch of it 3, maybe 4 years ago. Been using that ever since. Pretty pleased with it. I'd always used Hoppe's #9 in the past and this seems to do a bit better.

I occasional use carb and choke cleaner to blast out nooks and crannies when I don't want to detail strip. Careful though, it strips off everything and leaves the metal absolutely bone dry. Will rust in short order if you don't get it protected again.

RemOil for lube mostly. An old shaving brush is perfect for application.

August 30, 2014, 10:55 AM	#1
chrisintexas Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2012 Posts: 388	for handgun cleaning what cleaners do you use? solvents for lubrication or do you use all around product? thanks

August 30, 2014, 07:22 PM	#2
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	cleaner I used to use "gun scrubber" but then figured out its the same as carb and choke cleaner which is cheaper. For lubricant, but only if it's needed, I use Sheath. Truly dirty barrel, I use hoppes. Stinky but it works. Live well, be safe. Prof Young

August 31, 2014, 02:47 AM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,993	Outers Nitro Solvent is what I typically use to loosen carbon deposits in the bore. I wet the bore with it before I use a bore brush. I haven't seen much difference in nitro solvents. They all seem to operate at about the same level of effectiveness. The only one I could tell was really better than the rest was the old BreakFree Solvent. I can't find it anymore. It was perfectly clear--looked like water, had an unusual sweet odor, and came in a small glass jar. I still have a small amount somewhere but they must have quit making it. I use Hoppes Elite or M-Pro 7 for removing copper. I can't tell much difference in how they work. BreakFree or Outers foaming bore cleaners also work well for this. I generally alternate a 10-15 minute soak with one of these four cleaners with the Nitro Solvent and some bore brushing. These aren't particularly aggressive copper removers, but they do a good enough job that I rarely use anything else for copper these days. A nice side effect is that these cleaners have a very mild odor and are non-toxic. These cleaners have dramatically reduced my bore cleaning time and effort. I do almost no bore-brushing now compared to what I used to do. I have tried Hoppes Elite Foaming cleaner and it's a bust, IMO. I had high hopes after seeing how effective the regular Hoppes Elite cleaner was but for some reason they changed something in the formula and the result is pretty useless. For really stubborn deposits, I use RemClean. You MUST follow the directions on this stuff and shake the bottle well before using. It contains a mild, non-embedding abrasive that has to be shaken into suspension before you put some on a patch or it won't do much of anything. Put this stuff on a tight-fitting patch and work it back and forth in the bore and it will remove the final stubborn remains of metal fouling or carbon deposits. I don't use it on a regular basis, just when I can tell that there is fouling that's not coming out with anything else. Be sure to flush any remaining residue of the cleaner out of the bore and try not to get it into areas with moving parts unless you can be sure you can completely clean it out afterwards. I have cleaned with only BreakFree CLP in a pinch. It's a good nitro/carbon solvent but does nothing to remove copper fouling. It's what's in my range bag. For general cleanup (wiping off fouling) I use different things at different times and for no particular reason. Hoppes Elite or MPro 7 on a paper towel or an old rag works well. You will have to wipe the cleaned parts down with an oily cloth when you're done as both of these cleaners will leave the metal unprotected. Ballistol or BreakFree CLP work well for wipedown/cleanup if you want something that's going to leave a residue of lubricant when you're done. Ballistol doesn't seem to be quite as good a cleaner and from what I've seen in testing it's not quite as good at corrosion protection as BreakFree CLP. I've been using it lately because I bought some to try it out and haven't used it all up yet. I usually use BreakFree CLP to wipe down all metal parts when they're clean to leave a very light oily residue for protection against corrosion. I have a number of lubricants I use on handguns. Dillon Snake Oil is a good oil that doesn't evaporate and has virtually no smell. It's also non-toxic. Lubriplate FMO350AW is another oil in the same vein which probably offers a little better corrosion protection. BreakFree CLP does just fine for this application as well. I also use light grease for areas where friction is obviously causing wear marks or where it's obvious that there is the potential for significant wear due to metal-to-metal contact. There are a lot of different light greases out there and I'm not sure that there's a huge amount of difference in how well they work. A light white lithium grease like Permatex sells in the small squeeze tubes will work well. Lubriplate makes a grease called SFL-B that is very good and is also non-toxic. Both of these greases have the advantage of not being too bad about staining materials they come in contact with. Tetra gun grease is ok as well but I didn't care for it because it seemed a little less "durable" when I used it. For most handgun applications, a good anti-seize will work. Just be aware that they can be really messy to clean up and seem to get on EVERYTHING that comes in contact with the object being lubricated. Brownell's Action Lube and the other moly-based/moly-containing greases work well but are messy like the anti-seize greases are. I generally shy away from greases/lubes that contain graphite because some sources indicate that under some circumstances it can interact badly with aluminum. Check the ingredients because it's not uncommon for grease/anti-seize products to contain graphite. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 31, 2014, 03:13 AM	#5
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	I use Hoppes' #9 to clean, dislodge stuff. Then I use either Ballistol or Forrest Gun lubricant to keep things smooth. My choices are largely due to availability. Certainly Hoppe's and Ballistol comes with recommendations from TFL members. Forrest came with recommendations from the guy selling it, surprise, surprise but does the job. One drop on each frame rail on my old G19 did the trick and it stayed slick no matter how long it was before the next trip and clean. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

August 31, 2014, 03:46 AM	#6
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Especially when cleaning light weight revolvers read the instructions first .Some of the guns have special coatings .If these coatings are removed in cleaning the metal may be damaged. With those guns claen and shiney may not be the best idea .! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

August 30, 2014, 11:20 PM	#3
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	For cleaning - MPro-7. For lube any good oil and/or grease. Like Tetra grease and Hoppes oil.

August 31, 2014, 06:37 AM	#7
Grizz12 Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Posts: 527	frog lube

August 31, 2014, 07:11 AM	#8
Bowdog Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 112	I mix Hoppe's and Kroil oil. It cleans and lubrication all in one. Even remove flash marks off SS cylinders after repeated use

August 31, 2014, 10:57 AM	#9
chrisintexas Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2012 Posts: 388	outers nitro solvent says it also leaves little oil to lubricate? what about Hoppe's Lubricating Oil to lubricate? do you use anything else to prevent rust? thanks Last edited by chrisintexas; August 31, 2014 at 11:03 AM.

August 31, 2014, 11:02 AM	#10
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	I use the KISS method... Hoppes 9 to clean CLP to lubricate/keep rust away. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

August 31, 2014, 11:13 AM	#11
Bozz10mm Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2013 Location: Central Texas Posts: 287	I've been using the liquid Frog Lube as a cleaner and it works pretty well. Gun Scrubber is great for removing oil and grease before applying FL, but it doesn't seem to do much as far as removing carbon and soot. After cleaning with the liquid FL, I apply the paste using a heat gun to warm the metal. When it cools, I wipe off ALL the excess.

September 2, 2014, 02:26 PM	#13
chrisintexas Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2012 Posts: 388	still unsure on lubricators has anyone used Eezox? Last edited by chrisintexas; September 2, 2014 at 02:39 PM.

September 2, 2014, 04:17 PM	#14
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	BoreTech Eliminator and Slip2000 EWL __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

September 2, 2014, 07:03 PM	#15
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 684	For all my guns, I use Hoppes #9 for cleaning the bore and Slip 2000 for cleaning everything else.

September 7, 2014, 03:13 PM	#16
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 842	Used to hear a fair bit of discussion of Ed's Red. Not so much anymore. Equal parts: Kerosene Mineral Spirits Acetone Automatic Transmission Fluid Mixed up a gallon sized batch of it 3, maybe 4 years ago. Been using that ever since. Pretty pleased with it. I'd always used Hoppe's #9 in the past and this seems to do a bit better. I occasional use carb and choke cleaner to blast out nooks and crannies when I don't want to detail strip. Careful though, it strips off everything and leaves the metal absolutely bone dry. Will rust in short order if you don't get it protected again. RemOil for lube mostly. An old shaving brush is perfect for application.