Advise a new shooter - cleaners

[Dahak]

First firearm - a 2.0c 9mm.

The salesguy at academy had me buy a kit with hoppes 9 cleaner and oil. Been using it after every session but am starting to think that a strong cleaner like hoppes with no post cleaning rinse might do some damage over time, so maybe ballistol?

Am I overthinking, or should I switch to ballistol for the internals and save hoppes for the barrel which is my current thought.

Thanks!

 

[diyj98]

There's at least 1,000 methods of cleaning and everyone thinks there's is the best. (Edit: I now see the 2.0). I'm unaware of regular Hoppes ever damaging a blued gun. But I always dry off anything everything including the bore after cleaning with Hoppes then give everything a light coat of whatever gun oil I have handy.

 

[jbtrucker]

He has a M&P 2.0 compact , I use Hoppes no problem on my Shield but don't let it set . I also use CLP , sooch00 and gunblue490 have youtube videos on handgun cleaning. I assume internals is trigger and action area , don't put anything down there clean out with dry Qtip or other

 

[dfariswheel]

It seems that we get the best results in using a dedicated bore solvent for cleaning and a dedicated lubricant to lube guns.

Hoppe's #9 has been around since 1903 and has never damaged a gun when used correctly.
It's never harmed a blued gun, can damage bright nickel plated guns if left on the nickel too long, and can possibly damage a gun with one of the new painted finishes.

Just use the Hoppe's to clean the bore and any fouling on or in the rest of the gun.
Dry with paper towel, then apply a little of your choice of lubricants, both to lubricate and protect and preserve it.
Your new gun will last you for life.

 

[stansdds]

I've used Hoppes 9 ever since I owned a firearm and I am now well into 3 decades of firearms ownership. It has yet to damage anything I own, whether it be blued or nickel plated steel, stainless, or aluminum. It works well as an all-around solvent, but it does not have good metal protection properties. I use it to clean my firearms, but I do wipe away as much as possible when the cleaning is complete and then wipe down with Corrosion X or apply Renaissance Wax for metal protection.

 

[Dahak]

Bumping the thread for the followup.

I'm doing the field stripping and cleaning from there after every range session. From what I understand, that is not necessary, but I enjoy the process, plus this will be my EDC once I complete the CCW course and get my permit, so more cleaning than necessary is necessary.

Tried Ballistol for the first time - not a fan of the smell (I like the smell of the Hoppes), but it felt like it did a .. different job than Hoppes No. 9 - can't really find the words, but it was like Ballistol got the easy stuff off easier than No. 9, but that No. 9 does a better job on the hard stuff. Don't know enough chemistry to know if that makes any sense but on to the next question.

As I approach 500 rounds through my pistol, when/what should I do above and beyond the field strip cleaning described in the manual?

Thanks!

 

[rwsmith]

Hoppes 9 is great....

And won't hurt any gun EXCEPT newer S&W guns with the 'environmentally friendly' bluing job that will turn plum colored if used with any ammonia product, which includes Hoppes 9. The Hoppes ELITE is ok for new guns.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

USE KROIL...

Dahak: ...if you can find it. A reasonably priced smokeless powder cleaner & leaves an oily film. Don't have to lube separately. Not harsh, no ammonia.

I buy several cans at a time off Amazon or Flea Bay. It's also supposed to be a penetrating oil, but I've never needed it for that.

If I feel the bore needs more severe cleaning, I'll use a brass bore brush in both the barrel & revolver chambers.

No, 500 rounds doesn't require more severe cleaning that what you're doing now. Do a "user-friendly" take-down & clean/oil normally.

Hank M.

 

[10ring]

Discussions about cleaning and lubricating materials are sort of like "best caliber" discussions. People have their favorites, often based on subjective things or fond memories or tradition or whatever, and some care more about smell or cost while others care about health and safety and others care about effectiveness.

Many people will tout brake cleaner, motor oil or transmission fluid or some homemade solution or whatever. It is a personal thing.

But, you should perhaps consider this: Hoppes #9 contains Ammonium Hydroxide, according to Hoppes. Ammonium Hydroxide is an alkaline solvent.

Smith and Wesson says "Ammoniated solvents or other strong alkaline solvents, should not be used on any Smith & Wesson firearm."

So, S&W says not to use chemicals like Hoppes on any of their guns. It is your gun, though, so do as you wish and you probably won't do any harm. But I assume S&W has a reason for the warning.

Personally, I find FP10, products from Slip 2000 and M-Pro7 and Weapon Shield products work well for me. I may use Hoppes in the bore of a barrel to remove fouling if necessary, but that is an occasional thing and it is used only to clean the bore or other specific fouling, and then cleaned off. It used to be my primary gun cleaning chemical years ago, but not now.

 

[Biggfoot44]

On any gun related forum , or anytime gun guys gather in person , we can and do discuss this until the cows come home . Ten people will have 34 different answers .

Bottom line #1 - For routine light cleaning , just about all of them will be at least somewhat adaquate . For specific problems ( copper deposits, lead deposits, etc ) use a specialized product/ method .

Bottom Line #2 -There are three different functions for firearms hygiene products - Clean , Lubricate, and preservative . No single product does a great job of all three . Typically either a fairly good cleaner that also gives s little bit of lubrication , or a fairly good lubricant that also does a little lubrication .

 

[sheppard]

All you really need is CLP. I've been using it since the 1970s when it was first introduced and all my guns hav been rust free and well lubricated.

 

[series guy]

You had it right in your first post. Ballistol, good for your gun, good for you.

 

[just plain joe]

You will get a myriad of opinions here on what works. In the end, you may choose one or a combination of cleaners/lubricants.

I've used Hoppes No. 9 on my firearms since Christ left Chicago. It worked back then and it still works now. Lately though, I've tried to limit my exposure to petroleum based cleaners & lubricants. Many have warnings about cancer as a result of continued exposure. In LE we call that a "clue".

I've moved more toward synthetic cleaners/lubes, i.e. the SLIP2000 line. Find out what works for you and have at it! I don't believe that one company has the market cornered in this regard.

JM2c.

Good luck!

JPJ

 

[dogdoc]

And won't hurt any gun EXCEPT newer S&W guns with the 'environmentally friendly' bluing job that will turn plum colored if used with any ammonia product, which includes Hoppes 9. The Hoppes ELITE is ok for new guns.

It has not had that affect on a recent made model 57 I have. I do not leave it soaking in it however but use number 9 every time. I follow with gun oil.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Ask 10 gun enthusiasts what the best cleaner is and you'll get 15 different answers.



Ballistol is perfectly acceptable as a cleaner. I don't use it, but many people have used it over the years with good reviews.

I use Breakfree CLP as a cleaner/preservative. In the past I've used it as lube, too, but now I currently use Gun Butter for lube.

I've used M-Pro 7 in the past, and will probably try some again when I run out of CLP. I've been trying to move more towards non-toxic cleaners and lubes (I currently use nitrile gloves and safety glasses when cleaning). I've got some Lubriplate that I'll start using when my Gun Butter runs out.

In general, as long as you're using a good quality product, and using it properly, you'll get good results. Everything else is pretty much just personal preference.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a big fan of G96 products. They work well and to me they smell a little like bubblegum.
G96 Products Inc. – Gun Lubricants & Cleaning Products for Firearms

 

[diyj98]

It has not had that affect on a recent made model 57 I have. I do not leave it soaking in it however but use number 9 every time. I follow with gun oil.

I haven't had any issues on my newer blued S&W either. I guess it you didn't use any gun oil afterwards you might have an issue or they wouldn't have put the "CYA" warning out there.

 

[JJEH]

I use some Kleenbore as well as Hoppe's 9 for cleaning and Royal Purple for lubrication.

 

[michael1000]

...and nobody mentions rem-oil.

 

[crazyphil]

I've used Hoppes #9 for over 60 years on many different guns.
Never hurt any of them. Hoppes #9, a dab of oil, and done.
Smells good too.