I was doing a little light cleaning of a Colt revolver tonight and I was away from my bench so I was using Break Free because it was there. I put a little on the hub of the cylinder where it rotates on the crane and a little on the ejector rod.
Within a few minutes the cylinder was very hard to turn and felt gummy. Enough so that you couldn't fire it double action.
I removed the crane and was able to pull it about 1/4" out of the cylinder. I put a few drops of PB Blaster on the crane and it worked it's way down and soon everything loosened up and went back to normal. I cleaned it as well as I could and will see how it is tomorrow. If it goes back to being sticky I'll try brake cleaner.
I don't know what chemical reaction was going on but it was a mess.

This Product? I never had a problem with it for 60 years and that was the Standard at both Police Academies I graduated from.

That's it.

I've been using Break Free CLP for over 35 years. Never a problem. RemOil will set up over time and stiffen an action.

I strongly suspect the Breakfree knocked some crud lose that migrated into a worse place than it was to begin with. I can't imagine the problem is the Breakfree itself. I am unaware of any reaction between Breakfree and anything you are likely to find in the way of chemicals or dirt or debris inside a firearm.

Why would you use pb blast? It’s a penetrating oil and It will dry out in a couple days.

I cannot see how Breakfree CLP could turn gummy within a few minutes, unless it reacted with something else that was already on the yoke.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

That may very well be the case, but the cylinder turned with great difficulty as though it had been lubricated with tar. There was no "gritty" feeling. It loosened immediately after I used the solvent.
I don't know if it's a mechanical or chemical problem. All I know is: I used Breakfree and the cylinder "gummed up" I used PB Blaster and it loosened up. Maybe the Breakfree dislodged some crud and the Blaster further dislodged it out of the way.
I've got the Kuhnhausen Colt book. Maybe I'll take the cylinder off the crane.
I checked it this morning and it's still turning freely.
I should say that I don't often use Breakfree but I've never had any problems with it until this.

I used it as a solvent because the cylinder felt really gummy. It seems to have worked.
I plan on cleaning it and relubricating it soon.

I have used Break-Free CLP for at least 45 years with no problems.
In fact, all I use for EVERYTHING is Break-Free, Hoppe’s #9, and a little Ballistol. I use the Hoppe’s on my revolvers exclusively for cleaning AND lubrication. Works fine as a lubricant in that application even though it is not marketed as a lubricant. I have never had gummy build-up with it either.
I have noticed that sometimes Break Free will separate in the bottle into upper and lower layers if the bottle sits undisturbed for an hour or longer. A few quick shakes of the bottle mixes everything back up just fine. I do this before starting to use it for a cleaning or lubrication session. Once shaken 3 or 4 times it seems to stay mixed for several hours, and even days.

Maybe your Break Free had separated and when you applied it to the gun you only got one of the components in pure form and not the blend.

BTW, Ballistol is the absolute worst at separating, and will start to do so within an hour or so. But it is so useful I just give the container a couple of shakes to keep things mixed, especially if it is diluted with water. Great Stuff.

I also have had break free "go gummy" on me , bad enough to gum up the works of a few firearms ... the internals of two handguns and two rifles were "liberally" doused and they were put away ... long storage .
It was a year later when I got them out and ... the CLP Breakfree had hardened up to the point were the guns didn't operate .
I used a spray cleaner to clean all the gummy residue away and stopped using CLP Breakfree as a lubricant / preservative on the internals of my revolvers and rifles .
I also thought it strange that the CLP would turn that "gummy" but the guns were stored away for a year ...
I Went back to RemOil ... RemOil never has gone gummy on me ...
even after a year of storage !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

OK, observed performance in improperly/never cleaned 1911s is that Break Free accumulates combustion products and other stuff floating about. Over time, it can become a particulate filled sludge that impacts free movement of parts. YMMV in revolvers, the issue seems to happen with various other lubes too. But, this seems like a fairly normal instance of the necessary separation of cylinder and crane/yoke for proper cleaning and lubrication.

Brake Kleen, gum cutter and other aerosol solvents are great for getting rid of crud in places you can't easily reach.

I have used Break Free for many years without any problems. I like the handy 4 oz bottles. The label does say to shake well before using.

I have found over the years that Break-Free is a much better lubricant and preservative than a cleaner.
I use Hoppe’s #9 for cleaning and Break-Free CLP for lubrication and rust prevention.

Very interesting thread, I have always used the old stand-by Hoppes #9 and the usual ammonia cleaners and red grease and white grease and oil. I have been using some FP10 CLP for lubrication so I’m going to keep an eye out for something like this.

I’ve never had Breakfee, Remoil, or any other guy oil or CLP gum up on me. I’ve had white lithium grease cake up, but that’s the only issue that I’ve experienced.

When you clean, it's best to disassemble and "wipe everything off with your cleaning solution". If you don't remove all the old hardened up lubricate that may have been there for 50-100 years you are asking for problems.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I haven't noticed BF CLP getting gummy. The exact opposite.
BreakFree CLP has thinned out and nearly disappeared in storage.

I use the Collector LP version or another product now for storage.

Yep I would use CLP to lubricate a "clean" gun and you ought not have any problems. If it just dissolves old dried oil, grease and residue, that means that the gun was not clean before hand. I am sure that crud can accumulate in hidden areas and be an issue like that. And over lubricating a gun, even for normal storage, is maybe asking for trouble some day. Something like certain kinds of grease are best for real long term protection of bores, etc. that does not migrate.

About 30 years ago was signing out of Ft. Pickett barracks for a re enactment we had. At the counter were 2 NG Lts that had a gallon of Breakfree on the floor. Heard the building Sgt tell them they could not turn it in as it was not on the books. They turned to me and asked if I wanted it. Are frogs waterproof? Still have about 1/3 of it as have given much of it away. One has to shake breakfree as some of it settles in bottom of container.

There is something else going on with that Colt! I have been using Break Free CLP both personally and professionally for more than 50 years with absolutely no issues! I have some of my own guns that were cleaned and lubricated with Break Free and haven't been touched for over 20 years that have never had the slightest indication of "gumming" of the lube!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

The only problem I EVER had with BreakFree CLP was when I attempted to use some Brownells OxphoBlue to do some touch-up on a rifle I had always wiped down with CLP... the CLP left such a tenacious protective layer that the OxphoBlue wouldn't take (and it's made to be rubbed on through gun oil).

I had to scrub the metal with brake cleaner and 0000 steel wool before I could get the OxphoBlue process to work. Maybe it's was just a chemical coincidence but I always assumed that it was because CLP was leaving such a good protective coating.

Also, CLP seems to be the most effective at dissolving the baked-on carbon fouling inside AR bolt carriers. I always like the stuff and have used it for at least 30 years.

Used Break Free for many years. Good stuff. In recent years I have started using Synthetic Gun Oil. I works a lot better.

Some lubricants don't play well with others.
It's possible some odd lube was in the cylinder assembly and didn't react well with the CLP.

I agree with that.

I highly doubt the BF CLP itself was the issue! More than likely you had years of crud built up in the cylinder and the BF CLP just temporarily softened it up and then the crud congealed & clogged it. You need to fully disassemble the cylinder, clean it with Hoppes #9 solvent, dry and lightly lubricate it. BTW, all CLP's must be shaken before use. BF is an excellent CLP. That said, I personally like G96 Synthetic (yellow bottle) better. IMHO the G96 just works a bit better than the BF as I have discovered lately. Especially in the cleaning aspect. Both lubricate and protect well.

While I am usually not a fan of spraying chemical into an assembled unit, if you really do not want to or do not feel comfortable disassembling the cylinder, use some Gun Scrubber to clean out the inside until it drips clean. Thoroughly dry it out with compressed air and then lightly lubricate it. That should do the trick.

I don't know what happend with the OP's gun. But I have had Breakfree get gummy on guns left in storage for a number of years. I just clean it off and relube. Break Cleaner works well although it may damage some finishes, especially on wood. I get the flamable version and use it in a well ventilated area.

I bought a gallon of Breakfree when it was Archers Breakfree from Radio Shack about 40 years ago and I'm still using it. But I also use other stuff.

I'm currently using Breakthrough HP Pro I got somewhere. It seems to work well and has a very nice applicator. I don't think it's actually a cleaner although it seems to loosen gun gunk fairly well. It just claims to be a lubricant and protectant. I've also used synthetic motor oil (Rotella T-6) and pure clear mineral oil along with 3 in 1 and sewing machine oil.

But yeah, Breakfree, or at least the old formula, can gume up over time. The new stuff doesn't smell remotely the same. The old stuff had a kind of sweet smell I kinda like but my wife hates.

I don't know what happend with the OP's gun. But I have had Breakfree get gummy on guns left in storage for a number of years. I just clean it off and relube. Break Cleaner works well although it may damage some finishes, especially on wood. I get the flamable version and use it in a well ventilated area.

I bought a gallon of Breakfree when it was Archers Breakfree from Radio Shack about 40 years ago and I'm still using it. But I also use other stuff.

I'm currently using Breakthrough HP Pro I got somewhere. It seems to work well and has a very nice applicator. I don't think it's actually a cleaner although it seems to loosen gun gunk fairly well. It just claims to be a lubricant and protectant. I've also used synthetic motor oil (Rotella T-6) and pure clear mineral oil along with 3 in 1 and sewing machine oil.

But yeah, Breakfree, or at least the old formula, can gum up over time. The new stuff doesn't smell remotely the same. The old stuff had a kind of sweet smell I kinda like but my wife hates.

Once again we see that in the world of revolvers, COLT is a four letter word!
Froggie

Years ago I discovered Breakfree LP (as opposed to the more common CLP product). I prefer to clean with another product, then apply the appropriate amount of LP. Never had a problem with gum-up, however I always apply only to a clean gun.

Again, I highly doubt that the BF CLP was the culprit - probably just activated old crud! Every once in a while any gun needs to be completely broken down, thoroughly cleaned, then properly and lightly lubricated. To keep adding oil will not solve a crud issue within a gun's mechanism!

That's probably the case. However it's turning fine now and I'm not sure about the cylinder disassembly. It looks more complicated than a Smith.
Normally I'm very proactive about maintenance. Please advise if I'm missing something about taking a Colt cylinder apart.

I use Slip 2000 Gun Lube and Breakfree CLP interchangeably. Breakfree is no longer on USG Qualified Parts List…USG changed CLP spec to Bio only CLPs and Breakfree have yet to develop a Bio CLP for USG submission approval. G96 Bio CLP is on the USG QPL. G96 Bio CLP cleans pretty well

BF CLP glued in my Browning Citori ejectors. All 4 gauges.

M60 & 337PD cylinders harder to turn using it.

Used WD-40 to get all working again.

Let's see how that works out....

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Todd

WD-40 has its uses and the solvent in it can soften hardened lubricants, but WD-40 is not the final step in the process as it's solvent will evaporate and then it will become gummy and then harden.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

It's just nice to see someone defaming a product that is not WD40...

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Pisgah