using Balistol and Hoppes

[LAURASDAD]

Hello,

I have used Hoppes 9 and Hoppes oil. I just purchased some Balistol. My plan is to use the Hoppes 9 as the cleaner/solvent and use the Balistol as the oil.

Is this a good plan? My assumption is the Hoppes 9 will clean better then the Balistol. Is the Balistol a better lube/oil then the Hoppes oil?

Thanks

Larry

 

[GKC]

Ballistol is a very good product...if you can stand the smell. I tried it, and while it worked extremely well, I never could adjust to the smell. I use Hoppe's Elite to clean, and Weapon Shield to lube.

 

[kennyb]

i love ballistol....has a 1000 uses and does them all well

 

[ditto1958]

Not a good idea. Ballistol is not a petroleum based product. To use it for best results, use it alone. It cleans and lubricates.

 

[gnystrom]

Before you are finished you will probably have tried a few products. You will also get a few different responses as to which brand is better than another. Hoppe's 9 is a great overall cleaner. As to the lubrication on the rails and and elsewhere, I think either of the two products you choose will work fine. Go on YouTube and watch a couple of videos about cleaning your model firearm. Here is one from a very respected guy, on a model somewhat similar to an M&P. He likes what you bought.

XDM .45 Cleaning - YouTube

 

[Capt Crunch]

I'd use CLP to lube, it's also a light cleaner

 

[shart1971]

I use M Pro 7 Cleaner, Weapon Shield for lube oil and TW25b grease for the rails. Works like a charm!

 

[skip4309]

I have and still use Ballistol, Hoppe's 9, Break Free CLP, RemOil and Hoppe's gun oil. Hoppe's 9 is my main bore cleaner....all the others used for lubrication....I like them all and have no complaints. As long as you clean and lube (sparingly) your weapon of choice, all are great lubes . Haven't tried the Frog Lube yet....gonna give it a try also. thanks.

 

[stan salter]

I really like Ballistrol because it doesn't react with wood or other grip materials - so - I can just slop a lot on, let it sit and swab it out. When a more thorough cleaning is needed - I use Eezox or Kroil.

Stan

 

[steamloco76]

I shoot a real variety of guns. For .22 LR nothing beats Kroil as a bore and cylinder cleaner. Centerfire guns Hoppes #9 and Elite get a lot of use as does the stinky Ballistol. Rem Oil is great lube when you don't want to disassemble your firearm action, as the carrier evaporates. I use it to keep semi-auto .22's humming during those 500 round range sessions. Butch's Bore Shine gets the call on severe copper fouling.

Lube- I've tried a bunch, however I now use Weapons Shield oil and grease exclusively. The stuff is flat out amazing and takes very little. Does not smell like gun oil-more like cinnamon. The grease really works on semi-auto slides and rails.

 

[SMSgt]

I'm trying Froglube only becuase my son gave me a container. I'd never pay that much for a gin product myself. Hoppes and 3-in-1 oil have never let me down.

 

[KLNC]

Another Ballistol fan here. Once I started using it, no more Hoppe's for me. It cleans, lubricates, and won't harm wood or finishes. Useful stuff.

 

[had2]

I use Hoppes, Breakfree CLP and Kroil sometimes, but I don't know, for example, if I am cleaning the barrel well enough. You mention copper fouling. How can you tell? I look down the barrel after cleaning, and it looks shiny and clean. Any hints on how to determine whether you've gotten the barrel completely clean other than the patches coming out clean?

 

[lebomm]

A few years ago, I came into a quantity of GI bore cleaner, and it smells worse than any of the others, but does a great job on smokeless, black, corrosive or non-. Afterward, I lube & protect with Hoppe's oil or CLP.

Larry

 

[moe l.]

Before you are finished you will probably have tried a few products. You will also get a few different responses as to which brand is better than another. Hoppe's 9 is a great overall cleaner. As to the lubrication on the rails and and elsewhere, I think either of the two products you choose will work fine. Go on YouTube and watch a couple of videos about cleaning your model firearm. Here is one from a very respected guy, on a model somewhat similar to an M&P. He likes what you bought.

XDM .45 Cleaning - YouTube

I think hickok45 even brushes his teeth with it....

 

[Hohopelli]

Lots and lots of opinions on cleaners and lubes..

 

[garbler]

I am late reading this thread but would like to add a bit of information regarding Ballistol. I have been using this stuff since the 80's back when you had to find somebody selling it as none of the shops would put it on the shelf next to the big selling stuff. Anyway unless they have changed the formula Ballistol will dissolve brass and copper if left in contact with these metals. I know this for a fact as I had a 45-70 custom snap cap made and left it in a chamber that was wet with Ballistol. I forgot about it and after several months found the plastic retaining plug in the top of the unit had popped out along with the spring. This snap cap had a hard roll crimp holding this spring and plug in place but the Ballistol actually attacked the brass leaving the case mouth so thin that the spring broke free.

That is one instance but I have since found that brass cases left in a cylinder wet with Ballistol can be compromised at the case mouth. I have pulled bullets and found the edges of the case mouth almost razor sharp from corrosive attack. Actually if you let some brass set in Ballistol a day or two you will see that it becomes very shiney which in essence is the product etching the brass.

Anyway Ballistol is a great product but can and will attack brass.

 

[Beerjman]

I have used Ballistol all my life .
Guns that were stored away for years while I was stationed overseas were in flawless condition when I returned .
Btw Ballistol is designed to dissolve brass , copper and lead residue.
It was developed during a time when ammo was still corrosive and I have shot lots of WWII surplus ammo and never had a problem with rust since I use this oil liberaly inside and out .

 

[garbler]

I have used Ballistol all my life .

Not yet you haven't unless you are posting from another realm. But I agree on all counts about this great stuff. Actually the Germans even used it as a leather treatment and preservative which it works very well as. But also as a topical disinfectant for minor skin wounds !

I mentioned about the brass cause many people don't know this and think it is just a lubricant and not a cleaner. But since I am still using cans from 25 years ago I didn't know if the formula was changed. Thanks

 

[Berserker]

I have been using it a little bit, also after watching Hickok. I did find the idea interesting that is not harsh and forms a layer like seasoning cast iron.

I find it hard to believe it can do everything. Dunno. When I got a new tight holstor, I slopped it on the gun, and stuck it in there for days

I have a 68SBH and I started using it cause maybe it is better for the finish. It got on pretty sloppy Saturday, but the net day it was dry and looked nice. Keep an eye on it to see how it does.

What I have trouble with, is it is good for wood and leather, but dissolves lead and copper?