Break Free CO Collector

Warren Sear · Dec 15, 2017

I don't know if I am late to the game, but I saw this today for the first time and bought some. it seems to be especially formulated for long term gun storage rather than cleaning or lubricating. I did an internet search and was surprised to not be able to find any reviews. Has anyone here used it? How well has it worked?

Cardboard_killer · Dec 15, 2017

Never heard of it.

Steve912 · Dec 16, 2017

Warren Sear said:
I did an internet search and was surprised to not be able to find any reviews.

Thirty eight reviews for "Break-Free, Model: CO-4 Collector" on
Amazon.

Ivan the Butcher · Dec 16, 2017

Just an FTI.

Not so much for "collector" guns, but to put guns in long term storage, my best friend got me using Thompson Center Bore Butter. We apply a generous coating to all the metal surfaces (inside and out) and we made a 20 inch tube to fill the barrel. It will harden over a long time exposed to air, so the coated gun is places in a handgun sized Ziploc bag or one of the amphibious assault rifle bags with all the air burped out. These are kept in an otherwise waterproof environment. Bore butter is far easier to clean off than military cosmoline and seems to do as good of job.

Ivan

chief38 · Dec 16, 2017

I suppose "long term gun storage" is a very subjective phrase and long term can mean two totally different things to two different people. To me long term means many years. To others it could mean a few months.

If your definition is on the shorter side then just about any of the tried and tested rust preventatives will work just fine. If I were to store a gun for long term as defined by me, I'd use Rig Grease or Cosmoline inside and out. I've had parts treated in Rig Grease that I have "resurrected"after 15 or 20 years and they are totally 100% perfect and no rust or corrosion all. I've unwrapped military parts & magazines that were packed in Cosmoliine treated wax packages since WWll and there is no rust or corrosion. I'd say these two methods are tried, trusted and true! If storing metal parts or guns that long I would opt for either one of these Grease products and not a spray can preservative - but that's just me.

rburg · Dec 16, 2017

Wait...what? The stuff I've been using for a few years now is Collectors CLP. It works just fine and I like it better than just CLP. CLP isn't really a product, its a performance standard the military had established. I have no clue if Collectors really meets that or not. I also don't care.

The difference I can see is the collectors sets up to a wax if you've got it on thick enough. I have what I consider some guns in long term storage. That means you measure the time in years. The only problem I see is often I don't know how long it'll be when I put the gun up. So I use a product that I feel sure wil do the job for a week or a year or two at least.

I started using it or testing it years ago, like more than 5 and maybe 10.

Now the next problem is that I don't trust others glowing reports, I'm kind of hard headed (just ask my wife) and I prefer to do my own testing. Its why I started using it and why I continue. I've not used CLP so much for cleaning as for the protection. Collectors seems to do that very well. Even on some of my treasures. No, you can't see them or pictures. I'm worse than just shy, I'm selfish.

Warren Sear · Dec 16, 2017

Steve912 said:
Thirty eight reviews for "Break-Free, Model: CO-4 Collector" on
Amazon.

OK, I am doing something wrong. I can't find a single review.

I have started wiping down my guns with it. I keep an oiled rag in a plastic tupperware container. I like to keep a thin film of oil on the exterior surfaces of guns and other tools to prevent rust and fingerprints. This stuff should work as well, or better, than regular old gun oil, or even the normal Break free CLP. But who knows?

D Brown · Dec 16, 2017

I've been using RustePrufe with the Chamois applicator most of my adult life with completely satisfactory results. I see no reason to change now.

Steve912 · Dec 16, 2017

Warren Sear said:
OK, I am doing something wrong. I can't find a single review.

Just put the quoted words in the search box, on Amazon.

I'd post the link, but I got infracted for posting a link for cheap silica desicant gel from Hobby Lobby, a while back..."no links external sites permitted".

lawandorder · Dec 16, 2017

Works pretty good here.

GeoJelly · Dec 17, 2017

Wait just a sec here - so I was reading about Break Free Collector - when all the sudden a gent asks about re-boring a 432PD cylinder? Must be a database problem on SWF ...

Vulcan Bob · Dec 17, 2017

It meets military specs for long term storage. I've using it for a long time with no problems with rust or corrosion. It's a bit thicker/heavy than the regular Break-Free and I use it on semi auto firearms for range work as well.

Ole Joe Clark · Dec 17, 2017

I threw a big spray can of it away not long ago. Was trying to soak a pistol to remove the cosmoline, and made the mistake of bringing the container with the pistol back into the house. I thought I was gonna pass out from the fumes. Cleaned up the pistol and the pan and threw the whole kit and kabbootle in the garbage. Had it for about 25 years.

AUG · Feb 22, 2021

from the dead but.....

Ive been using Breakfree COLLECTOR for about four years. It has worked fantastic for me.

I use it from the bottle and it has little to no scent. It is still visibly "moist" on a revolver after 3 plus years.

BillBond · Feb 22, 2021

While I mostly use CLP, I found the "collector" to be garbage.

mauser9 · Feb 22, 2021

Me too on the regular CLP along with RemOil. Kinda like the Remington green cloth which contains Remoil and rust inhibitors for short term protection of outer exposed metal surfaces like receiver and barrel.

bdGreen · Feb 22, 2021

RIG on the outsides.

Corrosion X on the insides.

That's my way.

bdGreen

woodsltc · Feb 22, 2021

Wow....when I read the title to this I got excited. Thought all those little plastic bottles of Break-Free that I have all over the place were now collectible and worth $$$.

After reading further I know now I'll just have to keep using 'em for lubing and cleaning like before.

Don

gwpercle · Feb 22, 2021

Standard old school Break Free CLP , this was in the day when there was just Break Free and not eleventeen different models ... turned gummy during long term storage , two years in a heated and cooled house closet .
Several S&W revolvers and a bolt action rifle had to have the gummy residue removed before they would function again .
I haven't used Break Free again ... Rem-Oil has never gone gummy on me ... so that's what lubes the insides of my revolvers and bolt action rifles .
Gary

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