Top Picks for Gun Cleaning Solvents You Can't Live Without

[Alan]

What are your favorite gun cleaning solvents? I'm looking to try something new, and I want to know what you all have found effective for different types of firearms.

 

[Spikedriver]

Can't go wrong with Hoppe's #9 for general bore cleaning! I've found Bore Tech copper solvent to work pretty well. Another thing I've used that I like is Ballistol. It's not the strongest cleaner, but it'll do the job and it's a great lube and protectant.

 

[ameshawki]

I've used most of them. Never found one that was dramatically better than another. Do not used Hoppe's on nickel plated guns. I tend to avoid the one bottle does all stuff, like CLP.

 

[Terry Nixon]

My favorite is plain old Mineral Spirits. (paint thinner-but NOT Lacquer Thinner) I put some in a small spray bottle that the expensive stuff came in. With today's prices it also is not cheap, but it works and is cheaper than the price of all the super cleaners advertised. There is also a recipe for making "Ed's Red" but it has some solvents I'm not sure I would trust around plastic or polymer parts.

 

[Spikedriver]

I've used most of them. Never found one that was dramatically better than another. Do not used Hoppe's on nickel plated guns. I tend to avoid the one bottle does all stuff, like CLP.

I'll use CLP for general cleaning and lubricating, but I agree that CLP isn't the best thing at any one cleaning job. It just kind of does an ok job at everything...

 

[Pawngal]

I use M-Pro7. Cleaner and lube. Don't like the smell of Hoppes

 

[geno32]

I'm with Terry Nixon on this one. I use low odor Mineral Spirits for cleaning. I did a little unscientific experiment for my own benefit.

Burnt a little Universal powder on a steel plate and tested Mineral Spirits, Hoppes 9, MPro 7, Ballistol, CLP and Clenzoil to see which one would wipe the steel clean in one firm wipe of a cleaning patch.

Results: Min Spirits, Hoppes and MPro7 all wiped the steel clean with one wipe of the patch, they were essentially equal in cleaning. None of the CLP's performed that well. They all had to sit for a while and cleaning results were ok to poor with the CLP and Clenzoil being the least effective in cleaning.

Brushing the burnt powder would make the CLP's perform better but without a doubt there would be less brushing with the dedicated cleaners. CLP's claim to fame may be in its lube quality and its ease of use.

 

[Terry Nixon]

What are your favorite gun cleaning solvents? I'm looking to try something new, and I want to know what you all have found effective for different types of firearms.

I tried to post the formula for making "Ed's Red" gun cleaning solvent, but the test was longer than is permitted here and this forum won't accept a .pdf document. If you are interested simply do an internet search. But be careful with the stuff if you make it as it could be explosive or definitely flammable. I also would not use it on any gun with polymer parts or a "powder-coat" finish.

 

[chieffan]

I am not sold on any o the home remedies. Like acetone and transmission fluid as a penetrant. Lot of difference between a BP bore and a high power bore. Use what ever works for you.

 

[Terry Nixon]

I hear ya. I wouldn't use it either. I just threw it out there for discussion...

 

[Terry Nixon]

Can't go wrong with Hoppe's #9 for general bore cleaning! I've found Bore Tech copper solvent to work pretty well. Another thing I've used that I like is Ballistol. It's not the strongest cleaner, but it'll do the job and it's a great lube and protectant.

Some gun owners are a bit obcessed with copper being in the bore of their firearms. I carried a S&W .357 magnum on my hip for almost 3 decades. As a LE officer, we fired 3 or 4 times a year to maintain our skills. We always fired copper-jacketed hollowpoint ammo. The bore usually had a thin coating of copper in the lands and groves. It never affected accuracy or dependability nor did it ever cause any corrosion problems. In my personal opinion lots of the gun cleaning and lubrication products are unnecessary. I compare some of the products to "snake oil" marketed to the masses. Of course shooting black powder or corrosive old military ammo is a different suvject. In those cases, Copious amounts of Windex and hot soapy water respectively followed by drying and oiling the bore slightly works well.

 

[Spikedriver]

Some gun owners are a bit obcessed with copper being in the bore of their firearms. I carried a S&W .357 magnum on my hip for almost 3 decades. As a LE officer, we fired 3 or 4 times a year to maintain our skills. We always fired copper-jacketed hollowpoint ammo. The bore usually had a thin coating of copper in the lands and groves. It never affected accuracy or dependability nor did it ever cause any corrosion problems. In my personal opinion lots of the gun cleaning and lubrication products are unnecessary. I compare some of the products to "snake oil" marketed to the masses. Of course shooting black powder or corrosive old military ammo is a different suvject. In those cases, Copious amounts of Windex and hot soapy water respectively followed by drying and oiling the bore slightly works well.

I don't think I've ever run copper cleaner in a handgun, but for higher velocity rifle rounds I found it to be paramount. I've seen accuracy degrade over 100 rounds in a 25/'06. Hoppe's didn't restore it, but copper solvent did. I've seen this in a 22-250 as well.

 

[Terry Nixon]

Spikedriver. That makes perfect sense, since rifle calibers would have higher pressures, temperatures, and a lot more distance to travel in the barrel than the typical handguns have.