686-4 4" Ballistol "Best Practices" for cleaning and lubing

[wellthought1]

I have a Smith & Wesson 686-4 4" that I'm going to start cleaning and lubing with Ballistol. Any other Ballistol users out there for modern S&W revolvers? Any "best practices" you can share?

 

[Shark Bait]

Revolver Cleaning - YouTube

 

[Nightowl]

I just started using Ballistol in the last year. I like it a lot, the smell is tolerable to me, as my smeller is not up to snuff! I still use Hoppes and MPro7 too, but not as much since I've been using Ballistol.

 

[wellthought1]

Excellent video. Thanks!

 

[wellthought1]

I'm getting used to the smell. I just like it mainly because it's non-toxic. Plus, it works well!

 

[Jalopiejoe]

I like Ballistol alot!
I like how it clings to the metal while it's doing it's job! I think it's an excellent lube!
If I overdo it, I blow out the excess with compressed air!
And (I might be weird) like the smell of it!

 

[44 mag]

I've been using ballistol for years.

 

[PatriotX]

Mpro7 cleaner removes carbon better, but Ballistol is a great CLP.

 

[Invictus357]

I have a Smith & Wesson 686-4 4" that I'm going to start cleaning and lubing with Ballistol. Any other Ballistol users out there for modern S&W revolvers? Any "best practices" you can share?

Spray in the barrel, charge holes, around the forcing cone.

Wait a minute.

Brass brush the barrel and charge holes.

Nylon brush the forcing cone (just saying my preference here).

Run Hoppes bore snake through the barrel and charge holes - be amazed when you look inside.

Wipe the gun down with Ballistol wipes.

If you hate the smell or reading the warning label gives you a stroke, use the wipes as patches instead of spraying.

Few tiny bits of carbon/lead still remaining or just want a quality last pass wipe down? Use Birchwood Casey lead remover cloth and then use a microfiber cleaning cloth.

 

[armorer951]

Mineral oil, ammonia, and alcohol. Wow, no wonder it smells bad.


From the Ballistol MSDS:

"Ballistol contains the following ingredients: Mineral Oil, Potassium Oleate, Ammonium Oleate, Oleic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Amyl Alcohol, Isobutyl Alcohol, Benzyl Acetate, Anethole."

 

[PatriotX]

The Anethole is what gives it the nice licorice taste.


Smell… I mean smell !

 

[Jimmy4570]

As I recall from years ago, I think this stuff is made from coal oil. A happy concomitant product affiliated with the Germans' Fischer-Tropsch process for synthesizing diesel.

I've been using it for the past twenty years or so and cannot complain. It works according to its label and specifications and works well.

 

[rockquarry]

I've used Ballistol for years, but prefer Hoppe's #9 or Ed's Red as a solvent. The only time I use Ballistol in a bore is after firing corrosive ammo. My main use for Ballistol is applying it to a soft cotton cloth and wiping down a gun after cleaning. I'm used to the "dirty feet" aroma now, but it was certainly foul when I first used this product.

 

[ImDrRich]

Spray in the barrel, charge holes, around the forcing cone.

Wait a minute.

Brass brush the barrel and charge holes.

Nylon brush the forcing cone (just saying my preference here).

Run Hoppes bore snake through the barrel and charge holes - be amazed when you look inside.

Wipe the gun down with Ballistol wipes.

If you hate the smell or reading the warning label gives you a stroke, use the wipes as patches instead of spraying.

Few tiny bits of carbon/lead still remaining or just want a quality last pass wipe down? Use Birchwood Casey lead remover cloth and then use a microfiber cleaning cloth.

What about a copper bristle brush for the forcing cone area?

 

[jcs266]

I use Rem Oil on almost everything except black powder, those are exclusively Ballistol.

I like both.