A PLEASANT OLFACTORY TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE TODAY

[chief38]

I went to the Range today and it was an absolutely gorgeous day! I was shooting my Colt Gold Cup and because it was so nice outside I shot almost twice as many rounds as I normally do.

When I got home I knew my pistol was going to be a bit dirtier than normal and I had a strong hankering for the smell of good old Hoppes #9 (and.....there is no better cleaner). I opened up the windows in my basement workshop, donned my apron and cleaned away. Ahhhh the smell of #9 filled the air!

About an hour later my Wife came home and as soon as she walked in from the garage she yelled downstairs, "what are you doing down there, it stinks" ha ha!

Once she stopped the pissing and moaning over the smell I was back in the shop cleaning up and still enjoying the "perfume"! Now days I don't use Hoppes that much because I always clean my guns after a Range session and so they never get that dirty and I know my Wife's opinion of what smells great is different than most of ours is. Today was the perfect excuse to crack opened the bottle.

I had forgotten just how far the Hoppes smell travels. I have a pretty large home and the sweet smell was everywhere - LOVE IT!

I'm going back to the Range on Thursday and will try to get the guns really dirty this time!

 

[Hair Trigger]

Ahhhh the smell of #9 filled the air!

About an hour later my Wife came home and as soon as she walked in from the garage she yelled downstairs, "what are you doing down there, it stinks" ha ha!

Once she stopped the pissing and moaning over the smell ....

Are we married to the same woman?

 

[glenwolde]

Used it for years but I now consider it too toxic. No thanks.

 

[chief38]

Are we married to the same woman?

She does "pay me back" on occasion. I HATE HATE HATE Garlic!! She knows that (after 42 years) and 99% of the time she accommodates me by not bringing it in the house. Once in a blue moon she will break the golden rule and bring in some Chinese or Greek take out that reeks of Garlic and it drives me nuts! I actually have to leave the kitchen.

PS: I love Onions.

 

[pasound]

I love the smell of garlic and onions. And #9. Just not at the same time.

 

[SAFireman]

Why don't you get one of the Hoppe's #9 car air fresheners?

If not for your car, you could always hang it around your neck

 

[quikdraw67]

Mrs. QD67 was a farm girl.

She was used to the smell of cow **** and Hoppes #9

I was a town kid that grew up with Hoppes #9 with my brothers and Dad.

Cow ****, different story. We avoided that as much as possible.

 

[chief38]

My Dad was a Fed. LEO and when he went to the Range to practice or qualify he'd sometimes get home before I came home from school. When I opened the front door and smelled the Hoppes I'd drop my books and race downstairs to watch as I knew exactly what he was doing!

I never remember my Mother complaining about the smell either.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

A year ago while I was recovering from being mildly sick (maybe CV-19?), I decided to clean a revolver I had been putting off & used some Hoppes, which I don't use as much anymore either.

Later that night I realized I was still "smelling" Hoppes so I got a good shower & all new clean clothes.

Three days later that smell was still "stuck in my nose".

I think it was from being sick.

I like the smell too, but that was kind of weird.

.

 

[mus]

Nice story

Ballistol can provoke similar reactions in our better halves - speaking from experience...

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Nice story

Ballistol can provoke similar reactions in our better halves - speaking from experience...

Ballistol stinks and makes me cough...........#9 makes me smile.

 

[ameridaddy]

I have some Hoppe's #9 from when it came in a glass bottle from about 50 years ago, maybe 1" left in the bottom. I don't intend to use it to clean, but I do open it once in a while just for the carry-me-back effect it has from the smell. The current #9 works OK, I still use it, smells sorta similar, but it it is not the same as the old stuff.

 

[chief38]

I have some Hoppe's #9 from when it came in a glass bottle from about 50 years ago, maybe 1" left in the bottom. I don't intend to use it to clean, but I do open it once in a while just for the carry-me-back effect it has from the smell. The current #9 works OK, I still use it, smells sorta similar, but it it is not the same as the old stuff.

I agree - not quite the same but similar and still works very well. I believe they took the Benzene out but not positive about that. Still smells very similar.

I just used up my old stash which was the original - hence the reason I bought another quart bottle. I also still have some small bottles that are at least 60 - 70 years old that have never been opened. They are also still in their original boxes and I don't intend on using those.

 

[NMPinNYC]

I have some Hoppe's #9 from when it came in a glass bottle from about 50 years ago, maybe 1" left in the bottom. I don't intend to use it to clean, but I do open it once in a while just for the carry-me-back effect it has from the smell. The current #9 works OK, I still use it, smells sorta similar, but it it is not the same as the old stuff.

YES!!! I'm envious of your stash of that liquid gold!

 

[Green Frog]

I've been told that a woman whom wanted to attract a real man should put a dab of Hoppe's #9 behind each ear. I almost ended up with one who at least liked to use the stuff to clean guns... close but no cigar!

Don't get me started on the smell of Ballistol! it works great, but I've never been able to warm up to its "aroma" like I have to Hoppe's.

Froggie

 

[Telecaster]

Not a fan of the scent of Hoppes #9, and it gives me a headache. My wife uses acetone on her nails and I can't stand that either.

 

[chief38]

Hey - I use to love the smell of the old formula Gasoline (the version that contained Lead) and I also use to like the smell of Creosote treated RailRoad Ties. Yes we all know now know those are very bad and toxic - but hey, they did smell good!

While we all (at least most here) love the smell of Hoppes #9 and love the way it does clean out a dirty gun, I hope everyone also knows that it is not too good for humans to breath in - especially full strength. I also doubt using it without gloves would be too good either. When I do use it (not too often any longer - hence why the aroma is sort of a treat,I do make sure I have a couple of windows opened and a fan going. If it's a real nice day out sometimes I clean my hardware outdoors on the patio.

That said, for a really dirty, fowled or neglected gun, it's hard to beat!

 

[Racer X]

I have some Kodak movie film cleaner with lubricant from the '60s. Back when it was ether based. Man it smells good.

 

[MG-70]

I went to the Range today and it was an absolutely gorgeous day! I was shooting my Colt Gold Cup and because it was so nice outside I shot almost twice as many rounds as I normally do.

When I got home I knew my pistol was going to be a bit dirtier than normal and I had a strong hankering for the smell of good old Hoppes #9 (and.....there is no better cleaner). I opened up the windows in my basement workshop, donned my apron and cleaned away. Ahhhh the smell of #9 filled the air!

About an hour later my Wife came home and as soon as she walked in from the garage she yelled downstairs, "what are you doing down there, it stinks" ha ha!

Once she stopped the pissing and moaning over the smell I was back in the shop cleaning up and still enjoying the "perfume"! Now days I don't use Hoppes that much because I always clean my guns after a Range session and so they never get that dirty and I know my Wife's opinion of what smells great is different than most of ours is. Today was the perfect excuse to crack opened the bottle.

I had forgotten just how far the Hoppes smell travels. I have a pretty large home and the sweet smell was everywhere - LOVE IT!

I'm going back to the Range on Thursday and will try to get the guns really dirty this time!

Great freakin' post; how could I have missed it! Officially, my fiancé hasn't "complained" about the smell of Hoppe's No.9, but she does say stuff like, "you must be cleaning things up in your office, 'cause I can smell that weird smell all over the house." I just roll my eyes, bite my lip, ignore the comment, and go about my business.

A couple of weeks ago she had a friend stop by to do her hair while I was out. When I walk in, there's a white mist, about about a foot and a half thick covering the ceiling of the floor where they had been, and a truly nauseous odor. As I run to open some windows so the air could circulate, I look at her and say, "did you two set the dog on fire with gas or kerosene?"

I'm waiting 'til after we get married to break out the gallon of home made Ed's Red that I use on milsurps.

 

[Chino74]

Hoppes No 9...my favorite aroma since I was a kid cleaning my old Ruger six guns.