Ballistol

[Backlighting]

Which one is best for cleaning/ preserving firearms?
Ballistol "Sportsmans Oil" or "Multi-Purpose"

 

[chief38]

I am not an expert on Ballistol ( I do not use it but only hear great things about it) but I believe it' all the same. If there is another type other than the Multi-purpose I am unaware since it's the only one I have ever seen used. It is available in bottles, spray cans, wipes and squeeze bottle dispensers but I believe it to all be the same formulation.

Order - Ballistol

 

[Backlighting]

I am not an expert on Ballistol ( I do not use it but only hear great things about it) but I believe it' all the same. If there is another type other than the Multi-purpose I am unaware since it's the only one I have ever seen used. It is available in bottles, spray cans, wipes and squeeze bottle dispensers but I believe it to all be the same formulation.

Order - Ballistol

The "Sportsmans Oil" is sold on EBAY, if you care to check it out.
Perhaps that's a new product.

 

[chief38]

The "Sportsmans Oil" is sold on EBAY, if you care to check it out.
Perhaps that's a new product.

To the best of my knowledge it's ALL the same. If you have doubts I would call the Company Monday morning. Might be something I am not aware of, but like I said i don't use it so I am not an expert. Please call and let us know as well........

Toll free: 1-800-253-2460

 

[Backlighting]

Thanks Chief38

 

[H Richard]

What I don't like about Ballistol is the oily, greasy feeling left on the gun after you wipe it down. I guess this keeps the rust away, but I prefer Renaissance Wax for storage, short term or long term.

 

[rockquarry]

Ballistol is mentioned on here frequently. I use it, but the smell is awful. However, if like the of aroma of dirty feet, get some Ballistol.

I think there are better products for gun cleaning. I normally use it to swab the bore after firing old WWII corrosive .30-06 ammo. After one application of Ballistol, I then use regular cleaning products.

 

[GKC]

Ballistol is mentioned on here frequently. I use it, but the smell is awful. However, if like the of aroma of dirty feet, get some Ballistol.

I like Ballistol, but I just couldn't get past the smell! So, I am using a couple of other products: Breakfree CLP and Weapon Shield.

The knob and lock on our kitchen door was sticking, being very hard to turn. I tried a couple of things, including WD40 and a silicone spray lube. It helped a little, but not much...so, before I bought a new knob/lock, I thought I'd squirt some Ballistol in there...and it cured it completely. The knob/lock turned like new. This was several years ago, and up to the time we sold the home (last spring) it was still working like new.

I wish I could get past the smell, but I just don't like it on my guns.

 

[JH1951]

Which one is best for cleaning/ preserving firearms?
Ballistol "Sportsmans Oil" or "Multi-Purpose"

I think you will find no difference between the two labels. IIRC a while back they advertised that the new label did not represent any change in the product. But that may have been when they went from the white can to the green one.
A friend distributes the stuff and claims them to be the same product.
I like the stuff. It smells like a stale gym bag, but it works. I cannot use it when my wife is home without complaints. It tends to get off dirt and oxidation you didn't know was there. It also seems to be good on leather, and does no harm to wood stocks when it gets on them. It is also good for treating stag grips occasionally.

 

[Backlighting]

Ballistol is mentioned on here frequently. I use it, but the smell is awful.

Hoppes#9 is what I am using now and that really stinks.
After watching a Hickok45 video on Youtbe I'd like to give Ballistol a try.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwG8xhuVgTM[/ame]

 

[chief38]

Just so you are aware, it is common for Company's to change their labels from time to time just to freshen up their look and so consumer's take note of it.

My Personal Fav. is Rig #2 Oil which I have been using for almost 40 years now. Their label has changed many times but the product inside the can is the same. The Company has been sold a few times (now owned by Birchwood - Casey) and each time they were sod the label has changed.

Not saying Ballistol was sold or anything has changed - but labels and graphics change often for marketing purposes.

 

[Old TexMex]

My most recennt ex girlfriend said Ballistol smelled like Nag Champa.
Nag Champa - Wikipedia
and that’s some sort of incense. (the place smelled like an ashram next to a fish house, actually)
I used Ballistol in the cylinders and carbs of motorcycle and lawnmower after they had been submerged in saltwater from our recent hurricane. The stuff worked great. It also goes into all the door locks (lots of people just replaced theirs, since after a week or two of sitting with water in them they were just corroded up). I started using it for freeing up hand tools that had been submerged as well. The stuff works great.
I also use it of firearms, btw....

 

[lhump1961]

I've used Ballistol for years and like it fine. For small areas (trigger housings) I will spray it in and follow with canned air to take out the excess. The maker claim it will never gum or harden and so far I believe 'em. I don't use it for everything but it's always on my shelf.

For me it works really well for light cleanings so you don't have to follow up the cleaner with lubricant. As mentioned it's friendly to wood, rubber and leather.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I love the smell of Ballistol in the morning

 

[Targets Guy]

Ballistol. Never an issue with it. Works on my classic Mustang as well.

 

[NMPinNYC]

Hoppes#9 is what I am using now and that really stinks.
After watching a Hickok45 video on Youtbe I'd like to give Ballistol a try.
Single Action Revolver Cleaning - YouTube

Hoppe's No. 9 USED to smell great in the old days of glass bottles. Then it was emasculated and de-Hoppied and it's just not the same effectiveness nor the same smell. I use Breakfree CLP for everything although it doesn't cut leading like it should.

I do want to try the Ballistol due to it being good for wood as well. Hickok looks like he bathes in the stuff, the way he sprays and drips so much of it around.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I like and use Ballistol -- some . I use more Kroil and Safari Charlie . Kroil is my choice for cleaning barrels and cylinders on my revolvers . I do like Ballistol if rust is a problem . It seems to last longer .

 

[RGVshooter]

Well like anything else guys, you're supposed to clean your guns in a well ventilated place.

Ballistol was invented by the germans around 1905 to use as an all around cleaner for their rifles/equipment. Good enough for the wehrmacht, good enough for me... To my texas nose, it reminds me of licorice.

But seriously. it makes a good gun cleaner/lube for revolvers especially if shooting lead bullets. spray on, wipe off..

 

[DWalt]

BALLISTOL MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS FOR BALLISTOL
Contents
Ballistol contains medicinal grade mineral oil, alkaline salts of oleic acid, several alcohols, Benzyl Acetate and an oil from vegetal seeds.

Wow! A really impressive list of ingredients, almost as impressive as Renaissance Wax. A little oil, a little detergent (oleic acid salt), and some solvents. It's great that they use a medicinal grade oil, they probably don't want anyone to get sick using it.

 

[URIT]

I don't like multi-purpose solvent and oil products. I want to control my solvent use as well as the oil application so I use Hoppes #9 and currently RemOil (OTC mineral oil works just fine). I don't care for "wet guns", but do finish with a silicone cloth and store in silicone sacks.

 

[nachogrande]

MEDICINAL???

Funny that came up. I've read on a few other sights of people using it for cuts/scratches/burns with good results???

 

[Backlighting]

I contacted the company asking what, if any, is the difference between the "Sportsmans Oil" and the "Multi-Purpose" Their reply was:

"Sportsman's Oil is an earlier label for Ballistol.
Multi-Purpose label is the present version of the Ballistol label.
They are one & the same product"