Ballistol

[EricR]

Curiosity got the best of me so I bought a big spray jug of Ballistol. I'm almost 59 and I've used Hoppe's No. 9 and BreakFree CLP for as long as I can remember. But I'm gonna give Ballistol a shot on some shooters/EDC. After only wiping down, and lubing ejector rod, it seems like it has potential. Am reluctant to lube interior until I hear that gum-up long term shouldn't be an issue.

Current guinea pigs are a '78 10-8, '75 28-2, and my 442-2.

 

[growr]

SASS shooters swear by it .....I think some even cook their pancakes and waffles in it!!

Has an unusual odor however........

I think you will like it.

Randy

 

[misswired]

Gave a can to a mechanic friend to try. He said it's good stuff to use around the shop..... keeps it hidden so the knuckleheads won't waste it.

I use it inside and out on all guns..... and rusty bolts too. Also a good lubricant for slipping on tight fitting hoses.

One friend said if it's that good it should of been around for a hundred years....well..... OK

 

[EricR]

SASS shooters swear by it .....I think some even cook their pancakes and waffles in it!!

Has an unusual odor however........

I think you will like it.

Randy

That's hilarious! Funny that my next purchase may be a Taylor's & Co. 1873 Cattleman in 22lr.

 

[Murphy's Law]

Ballistol is gtg and has many uses and not just limited to weapons. Something like WD-40 but ten times better. You can even cut it 50-50 (with water) and is still effective for many applications.

 

[ShivasIrons]

I love the stuff. It is my product of choice for revolver maintenance. The fact that it is not a harsh chemical is a plus.

 

[JayFramer]

I use it for my cap n' balls.

Plays real nice with the black powder foulings.

Smells like sweet licorice and baby's excrement, but works well.

 

[scooter123]

Read the literature on their web site and it's a doo everything liquid. It's an Antiseptic, disinfectant, leather conditioner, wood conditioner, cleaning agent, rust preventative, and lubricant. Heck, if they were to think of it they might also say it's an excellent product to fry waffles or eggs with. BTW, that's generally what is listed on the web site and some of those claims are reported to have been made when it was first released in 1908. So it really is over 100 years old.

What I can report is that I find the smell much more appealing than Hoppes # 9 and it is an excellent cleaner for getting the wad residue in a shotgun choke cleaned up. It's also my goto cleaner for firearms that are distinctly difficult do a full field strip on, such as my 1892 Winchesters. Also works quite well in cleaning up the Upper and BCG of an AR-15. As for it's use as a leather conditioner, that is quite true. Had some riding leathers stored in my basement and when I pulled them out 2 years back they were covered with white mold. A good cleaning with Ballistol had them looking new again and 2 years later they still look like new.

 

[ShivasIrons]

I do not notice the smell at all. I have always thought I have a pretty sensitive nose, and Ballistol does not bother me at all.

 

[EricR]

Scooter - Thanks for the leather comments. I've got more than a couple 1903 leather slings that can likely benefit!

 

[LI Ammo]

I've been using Ballistol on guns that I use every week and have to clean a lot. I like that it doesn't mess with wood stocks and rubber grips. I have always been a #9 guy for cleaning, but I don't like the #9 on my fancy shotguns or rubber grips.

 

[LI Ammo]

I do not notice the smell at all. I have always thought I have a pretty sensitive nose, and Ballistol does not bother me at all.

Maybe you've changed too many diapers?
It's the poop smell you get when your wife starts feeding the baby broccoli.

 

[joe44va]

Do all juice developed during WWI. Some love it, I don't because I don't like the smell.

 

[shocker]

Am reluctant to lube interior until I hear that gum-up long term shouldn't be an issue.

Ballistol is supposed to be a non-hardening oil. I haven't seen any evidence of gum formation in the six or seven years I have been using it.
Mercury Marine, last time I heard a few years ago, uses Ballistol as a machining/coolant oil in their production facilities - it emulsifies with water well.
Some civil war re-enactor types I know swab out their cannon bores and rifles with a mix of water-Ballistol-Murphy's Oil Soap to clean up blackpowder residue.
I use a 9 parts water 1 part Ballistol mix to flush out my Mosin rifle after shooting corrosive primed ammo through it.
Straight Ballistol is my main cleaner lubricant for all my guns. But i would say if I was dealing with heavy copper fouling I would attack that with Hoppes.

Germans use this stuff like we use WD-40, good for everything.

 

[rockquarry]

Ballistol is pretty good for some things and you'll eventually get used to the dirty feet aroma it gives off.

 

[Dave from Pa]

Supposed to be pretty good, bought a can but the smell makes me want to gag.

 

[growr]

A smear of Vicks Vaporub under your nose and you won't smell anything!

Randy

 

[Ribwizzard]

Too many choices out there today to put up with such a nasty smell, lack of lubrication, tendency to gum up, and somewhat pricey item.

 

[Valmet]

I've used it almost exclusively since 2011 and don't see myself deviating from it anytime soon. Of course on rifle bores I still like Hoppe's 9 but it's mainly out of habit (and kinda for the smell)

 

[EricR]

Question regarding Ballistol's use on stocks. I understand how it's touted for treating and protecting oiled / relatively untreated wood surfaces. My question is, will Ballistol harm any hardened finishes on wood? For instance, would it wear away an otherwise hardened wood finish, be it boiled linseed oil, TruOil, or a urethane?