Who makes the absolute best handgun cleaner?

[ImDrRich]

Speaking of solvents, of course, not oils. Wondering if there is one that stands out compared to others. I know everyone "loves" Hoppe's, but lately I've been partial to another. Folks here have mentioned Hoppe's, Ballistol, MPro7, Break Free, CLP, and Shooter's Lube to mention a few - there are more, of course.

Which solvent cleans the absolute best? (Not looking for an internet study). Which one do you rely on to remove lead your handgun?

Thanks.
P.S. I have no connection with any solvent or gun cleaner maker.

 

[6518John]

I do—to answer your heading. 50/50 ATF & Acetone.

 

[lkabug]

Getting the popcorn out!

 

[75Vette]

Yup, this will be a long thread! My go to is Ballistol. I slather my wood grips in it too.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Mpro7 cleaner.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Same guy that makes the best bear gun. S&W .500 . . .

 

[The Norseman]

Mr. Clean

Outer sufaces: any full synthetic motor oil,
your just wiping residue off, leaves moisture
protection barrier, doesn’t gum up/harden,
and no smell.

For the Bore: Hoppes foam bore cleaner only.

Cotton make up remover rounds for cleaning
wipes. They are all I use anymore, just too
handy for Revolvers and Rifles, and other
items.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The absolutely best is liquid mercury. It is a natural product and not manufactured. It has much more expensive to buy than it used to be and is dangerous to handle so I can't really recommend it, but if you plug the barrel and pour it in it will strip it down to the steel with little actual work.

 

[Greyman50]

robertrwalsh wins the cigar. However finding and using mercury is just Not practical these days, let alone all the safety issues. Used to disassemble mercury safety switches, had about a 35 mm film canister full. Pour in an old jar lid, place cylinder face down and lead was gone in minutes. Fill the bore and same. Always wore old thin leather gloves.

 

[AJ]

The next day I'll run another CLP patch through the bore and chambers. You would be surprised by the amount of black that comes out the second day.

When I was in the service we had to clean our weapons to the armorers satisfaction for three consecutive days. Were still getting carbon out of them the second and third cleanings.

Then we discovered liquid Freon with a spray wand. Cleaned the M-16's in just a few minutes. Problem was it turned them white as it took all the oil and carbon out of the metal. Had to wipe them down with oil so the armorers would not know what we had done. Really did not need to be cleaned the second and third days, but we went through the motions.

Hot water works well to on M-16's!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Now I understand . . .

robertrwalsh wins the cigar. However finding and using mercury is just Not practical these days, let alone all the safety issues. Used to disassemble mercury safety switches, had about a 35 mm film canister full. Pour in an old jar lid, place cylinder face down and lead was gone in minutes. Fill the bore and same. Always wore old thin leather gloves.

 

[Invictus357]

All thanks to Hickok45,

Ballistol

Wish I'd discovered it myself a long time ago.

 

[ZGrand]

Depending on the weapon, I like Ballistol or Hoppes Elite.

 

[RGNewell]

The absolutely best is liquid mercury. It is a natural product and not manufactured. It has much more expensive to buy than it used to be and is dangerous to handle so I can't really recommend it, but if you plug the barrel and pour it in it will strip it down to the steel with little actual work.

When I was a kid, we used to play with Mercury all the time. Put it on our fingers and rubbed on silver coins to make them shine.

 

[Alk8944]

There is no "absolute best', the answer is too subjective. For me, I have been more than satisfied with Break Free CLP for the nearly 50 years I have been using it since 1972 when I was assigned as my departments Armorer

 

[JDinAZ]

I keep a tub of rubbing alcohol on the bench. Strip gun down and scrub with a clean CLP brush (or whatever they call em now. Think Otis makes ones same as we had in the Marine Corps years ago)

For me it makes quick work of the initial grimy cleanup. Peels off the carbon pretty good too. Then hit it parts with compressor. Then plain ol CLP and scrub like normal. Oil er up and good to go.

Keep a good sealing lid on it and it last a long while.

 

[ruger 22]

I use carburetor cleaner for my Ruger 22 auto. I remove the stocks and dunk the whole gun and the junk just runs off/out. For my Smiths I use Hoppes. Works great.

 

[hyena]

Hoppes No 9 for over 50 years.

 

[glenwolde]

I gave up on Hoppe's No. 9. After using it for decades I realized there were far less toxic things that work just as well. Go read the MSDS for Hoppes. Yikes. I have been exposed to far worse at work but still, I don't need any more chemical exposure than is necessary.

I use a non-toxic product from an outfit called Gunwerkz.

 

[scruffy]

Hoppes #9 on all my handguns. It works and I'm addicted to the smell. CLP on my ARs which are far dirtier after shooting.