CLP

[Mexistrat]

Do you use it? I never had until recently. I followed the directions (or so I thought). I swear I didn't use as much as what has been pouring out of the pistol ever since.

It is time for a cleaning again, and I doubt I will have to do anything but wipe it down with a dry cloth.

 

[codenamedave]

CLP has turned into a generic term, used by a bunch of different products that perform the three functions. Break-Free CLP became my default product decades ago, after it was adopted by the Army. Anything that made the process simpler was good in my book.

Just for GP, almost all parts of a firearm only get a light coat, defined as just enough to show fingerprints. I use a shaving brush to "dust on" a light coat. Slide rails, and hard contact points on semi-auto longarms, get grease.

For full disclosure, and I hope this doesn't start up the haters, for the past few years I've been on a Frog Lube kick. I follow the directions and it works for me.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I use Break Free CLP for cleaning, but I use Gun Butter for lube.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I use Weapon Solvent, then I apply Weapon Shield (CLP).

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

I use CLP exclusively on my AR. Old habit from my military days. All other firearms get Hoppes, RIG grease and Rem oil.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I use a Ruger CLP.

I got it cheap as it was a misprint.

 

[chaparrito]

I have switched to lard from free-range organically pastured swine.

 

[black1970]

The old CLP (the one that smelled good) was used by the military for their weapons. Never a problem. Had Teflon in it. You shook it up to disperse the Teflon that settled to the bottom of the container. Real good stuff. One year in the 80's at Camp Shelby I was in charge of cleaning the motor pool prior to going home. We found about 10 gallons of Breakfree CLP that was left behind by a previous company. I haven't run out yet.

 

[Kanewpadle]

It's no better or worse than any other lube. I refuse to use it for fear that I may fall into the camp "the military uses it so it must be the best".

Butch's Bore Clean and Sweets 7.62 are good cleaners. As far as lube, pick one and use it sparingly.

I like Tetra Gun and Gun Butter. But I've also been known to use Mobil One.

 

[Mexistrat]

I will stick with the CLP, I guess I just need to modify my application technique and use less of it. After a range session yesterday, a quick wipedown was all that was needed to get everything shiny and slippery again.

 

[H Richard]

Excessive lube, regardless of what it is, can cause as much of a problem as no lube. It collects dirt, powder residue, etc. more easily. S&W's are designed to run with minimal lube. I've been doing it that way for 35+ years, and haven't had a problem yet.

 

[carpriver]

I have been using Hoppes with a blend of elbow grease and snake oils.

 

[Harrison]

I have switched to lard from free-range organically pastured swine.

You might want try rendered bear fat. It worked for the mountain men and Danial Boone, and it might work for you.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I will stick with the CLP, I guess I just need to modify my application technique and use less of it. After a range session yesterday, a quick wipedown was all that was needed to get everything shiny and slippery again.

Try one of these. The needle tip makes thing much easier.

I suggested that my LGS keep these in stock and they keep selling out.

 

[CoMF]

Yes I do, of the Break-Free variety, sparingly applied at lube points with a Q-tip.

 

[mojave30cal]

I use it on my nickel pre-27.

 

[Steve912]

The old CLP (the one that smelled good) was used by the military for their weapons. Never a problem. Had Teflon in it. You shook it up to disperse the Teflon that settled to the bottom of the container. Real good stuff.

The sweet smellin' stuff?

I remember at least three versions--the early sweet/semi-thick stuff, and two thinner bodied versions, with a lot less PTFE in suspension. One version had a nasty solventy odor, and neither seems to give as slick a feel to rifles and MGs as the earlier "Break Free Corporation" product.

 

[Steve912]

Excessive lube, regardless of what it is, can cause as much of a problem as no lube. It collects dirt, powder residue, etc. more easily. S&W's are designed to run with minimal lube. I've been doing it that way for 35+ years, and haven't had a problem yet.

"Excess" is relative to what part of the world your in, how you carry, activity level, etc.

I went for an unanticipated swim this week, in salt water. I tend to keep my CCW pistol relatively heavily oiled internally, partly because I live in a humid area and sweat on it regularly, and partly because my learning experience with firearms involved a lot of rain and swimming

I rinsed the pistol off with a small bottle of water as soon as I could, but didn't detail strip it for a couple of hours. The heavy residue of oil prevented rust from getting started.

Guys in El Paso and Las Vegas would probably do well with less oil than I use, however.

 

[soFlaNative]

Glad it wasn't the "tragic boating accident".

 

[Bugkiller99]

Glad it wasn't the "tragic boating accident".

He didn't say it wasn't. He reserves the right to edit and expand on his comments for the record.