Does CLP get the lead out of a barrel?

A

ABPOS

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I only have been using CLP to clean for a long time. I like how it doesn't smell. I became pretty sensitive to stuff after getting lyme disease.

BUT, I'm concerned that if I shoot a lot of lead, it's not completely getting out of there. I don't really know. I did use a brush a little when I cleaned my 442 yesterday. I normally just use a bore snake, but I'm guessing that might be enough for lead.....

I really don't want to be inhaling hoppes, but I guess I could wear a mask and do it outside.

Let me know what you guys do. I don't shoot a lot of lead, but some... I might stop if I have to use some super caustic stuff to clean.
 
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Buy a pack of Chor-Boy copper cooking pot cleaning pads. Pull a little off, and wrap it around a cleaning brush. Several strokes down the barrel will clean out the leading without harming the barrel.

I have never thought of CLP as a lead remover specifically, more an all around cleaner, lube, and protectant, hence CLP.

Larry
 
I don't consider BreakFree CLP a cleaner. I started using it back in the 70's when I read about it in a gun mag & after the Dept Armorer saw it in action, he bought it in a pump sprayer. You wipe down the gun with a wet patch... everything but the grips, bore, chambers, inside the yoke, exterior... then a dry patch to remove any excess. It leaves a film on surfaces.

The lead & powder residue ends up on top of the film & is much easier to remove.

PS Gawd, the dept used to get low bid swaged bullet reloads that were very dirty!
 
If you're sensitive to smells like i am, switch over to mpro7. I use the cleaner in the barrels and scrub. I dont have an issue. And no smell. I think its also biodegradable? But, its a lot better than using anything like hoppes. That strong smell is killer.
I tried using froglube. (Strong minty smell) but, it would gum up when its cold. And leave a film. Nasty.

Look into mpro7

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About the only use I have for CLP anymore is protecting barrels of Guns I am not using. I still use Hoppes solvent, but I use Cano Kroil and a bronze brush after shooting lead. I have used a Lewis tool in the past, but have not needed it in recent years.
 
CLP does not dissolve lead to the best of my knowledge.
 
Lou_the_welder said:
If you're sensitive to smells like i am, switch over to mpro7. I use the cleaner in the barrels and scrub. I dont have an issue. And no smell. ILook into mpro7

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Click to expand...

Ditto on MPRO7.

I put a few drops in the barrel, rotate the barrel so it overs all of the lands and grooves and then sit the barrel aside while I clean the rest of the gun. I lay the gun on one side for about 10 minutes then flip it over to the other side so all of the barrel gets soaked.

I then use a cotton patch on a tight fitting jag and push the gunk out inspecting the patch for lead. I got through about four dry patches with each one stripping out lead. I then inspect the barrel and depending on how much lead is still showing may use some MPRO7 and a brass brush.

I am not real aggressive when it comes to cleaning all of the lead out. I shoot almost lead bullets exclusively so the barrel is going to get lead in it the next time I shoot it.

I use Mobil One Synthetic Motor Oil for lubrication and Tetra Gun Grease on the slide rails of my semi-autos

CLP is mainly used for long term storage and guns that don't get shoot much..
 
MichiganScott said:
Lead has to be removed mechanically. Certain chemicals can do it, but you really don't want to use them. An alternative to Chore Boy pads is the Lewis Lead remover from Brownell's.
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AFAIK, this is the correct answer. Mechanical, or mercury. I think Outer's once sold an electric (9v) system that had one chemical for lead, another for copper. Otherwise, there are several common chemicals for copper, but for lead? Fageddaboutit.

Hoppe's is a powder solvent - a good one, I believe.

When chambers in the cylinder become a problem, lead or otherwise, a handy tool may be a brass flathead screw of the right thread for your cleaning rod. Use it as a scraper. Very inexpensive at a real hardware store.
 
Hoppes Elite....take a look / sniff at the Elite line , they are truely low / no odor. If I clean a gun with Ed's Red Bore cleaner or (heavens forbid) US Army G.I. Bore Cleaner , my wife will not let the gun in the bedroom for 3-4 days. She can smell things I can't even come close to smelling.
The Hoppes Elite has gotten no comments from the smell detector, and that's saying a lot !
Scrubbing with a brass/bronze bore brush and just about anything, (WD40 , CLP , kerosene, Marvel Mystery oil, Ed's Red, Kroil , any brand of penetrating oil, etc ) will work just fine....the brush does the work , the other stuff is just for lubrication.
Gary
 
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To the OP's question: No, CLP does not remove lead.

My trick: brass pipe screens. Using your patch-jag, put a pipe screen (brass) in front of a doubled over cleaning patch, then ram it through. It's basically a homemade Lewis Lead Remover, but without any possibility of getting stuck (like the Lewis one does). Works great.

Everything else is that old product 'elbow grease' and a brass brush. The cleaner used doesn't matter - IMHO.
 
Mister X said:
If you're concerned about inhaling the fumes from Hoppe's, I'm surprised you're not concerned with lead exposure.
Click to expand...

I am concerned with it. But I don't shoot that much lead. And I'm wanting to clean out what I have. Plus I mostly shoot outdoors. I think that makes it a bit less likely to get over exposure.

There have been times just shooting a gun made me feel lousy. From the blowback or **** in my face. But I'm getting to where it doesn't. But sitting around sniffing some hoppes. Not a good idea for me. I used to like to though. :)

I gotta work on my .22's also. My kids have put a lot of rounds through the 10/22 and colt huntsman these last few years. I need to give them a good scrub. I didn't know CLP wasn't doing anything........
 
ABPOS said:
I am concerned with it. But I don't shoot that much lead. And I'm wanting to clean out what I have. Plus I mostly shoot outdoors. I think that makes it a bit less likely to get over exposure.



There have been times just shooting a gun made me feel lousy. From the blowback or **** in my face. But I'm getting to where it doesn't. But sitting around sniffing some hoppes. Not a good idea for me. I used to like to though. :)



I gotta work on my .22's also. My kids have put a lot of rounds through the 10/22 and colt huntsman these last few years. I need to give them a good scrub. I didn't know CLP wasn't doing anything........
Click to expand...



None of the solvents do anything to lead other than Mercury or the vinegar/hydrogen peroxide mix.A good penetrating oil can help to loosen it though.Chore boy or the Lewis lead remover make quick and easy work of it.
 
gwpercle said:
If I clean a gun with Ed's Red Bore cleaner or (heavens forbid) US Army G.I. Bore Cleaner , my wife will not let the gun in the bedroom for 3-4 days. She can smell things I can't even come close to smelling.
Click to expand...

LOL I know what you mean. My wife detects things my beagle would miss. She can tell I 'm cleaning guns from the neighbors house. Ballestol really drives her nuts.
 
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