Gun cleaners
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BennyS
Member
I use hoppes 9 and break free. Of course I still love good old gun scrubber!
I've been cleaning with Hoppes 9 solvent since I started shooting. It's like tradition now..
There may be something else that works better, but Hoppes has never performed badly for me, so I see no reason to fix what isn't broken!That being said, I've heard good things about ballistol.
kbm6893
Member
Hoppes has been doing it right for decades and I have yet to find a cleaner that does it any better. They offer a copper and lead cleaning version. I have a couple of others on hand, but I ALWAYS finish with a pass of Hoppes #9. Guns just dont feel clean to me unless they smell like Hoppes!
SpringGunTunes
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Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner from your local auto parts store is exactly the same thing only much cheaper.
uechikid
Member
After cleaning with either Hoppes 9 or Hoppes elite I spray gun scrubber (made by Birchwood Casey) to rinse the cleaner and dirt away. A shot of compressed air evaporates the gun scrubber then lube. 15 minutes. on an M&P 9, 40, 45.
Rpg
Member
I use Balistol primarily, but use Hoppes to clean rifled barrels.
What you have is just fine.
Most of this "miracle" stuff like Frog Lube, is nothing but snake oil JUNK.
Just Clean good and lube with a good oil like ..........
here we go. Hang on everyone. Get your popcorn popping.
I like the "snake oil junk"
Use whatever you think is the best for your gun, & stick with it!
SMR
Member
I love the Gunzilla. I think it works great as a CLP.
M&PmikeC
Member
ahhhhh love the smell of HOPPIES....
I am also on the Hoppes, CLP and Gun Scrubber band wagon. Does great for 95%+ of what you need done.
jimmib
US Veteran
I have used Hoppes 9 since the 50's and have been trying some of the new stuff to scrub the slide...like others have said whatever works best for you
Jaysq
US Veteran
I am a big fan of M-PRO 7 cleaner and oil. Their cleaner has no odor and can be used indoors with no danger. All their products are non toxic.
I like to clean with Hoppes and finish up with Ballistol. Both are fantastic products.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
Just put it in the dishwasher (behind the plates when your wife/significant other isn't looking) Yea, that'll work. 
Stratajema
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OP, your decision tree about which product to choose is:
1. Do you want an all-in-one CLP product (e.g. Ballistol) or do you want separate cleaner and lubrication products (e.g. Mil-comm, Mpro-7).
2. If you want a separate cleaner do you want it to be water-based (e.g. Mil-comm cleaner) or solvent based (e.g. Mpro-7 cleaner). Solvent based cleaners leave a residue that should be cleaned off with alcohol before applying lubricant. Water based cleaners are needed when shooting corrosive ammo which is one of the reasons why military organizations use Mil-comm.
3. If you want a separate cleaner do you want it to be toxic and smelly (e.g. Hoppes 9) or non-toxic?
4. Will the gun be used in a high salt environment such as IWB carry during the summer months or near the ocean? If so, you want to consider CLP products like Eezox or CorrosionX regardless if your gun has a stainless slide.
1. Do you want an all-in-one CLP product (e.g. Ballistol) or do you want separate cleaner and lubrication products (e.g. Mil-comm, Mpro-7).
2. If you want a separate cleaner do you want it to be water-based (e.g. Mil-comm cleaner) or solvent based (e.g. Mpro-7 cleaner). Solvent based cleaners leave a residue that should be cleaned off with alcohol before applying lubricant. Water based cleaners are needed when shooting corrosive ammo which is one of the reasons why military organizations use Mil-comm.
3. If you want a separate cleaner do you want it to be toxic and smelly (e.g. Hoppes 9) or non-toxic?
4. Will the gun be used in a high salt environment such as IWB carry during the summer months or near the ocean? If so, you want to consider CLP products like Eezox or CorrosionX regardless if your gun has a stainless slide.
I have a shelf full of everything and like CLP or Balistol for some things but have discovered the foaming bore cleaners like Gunslick are really good for copper removal and I get to avoid the ammonia based products. I also have an ultra sonic cleaner that works wonders on AR bolts and pistol barrels and brass too.
Stratajema
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Here is a great podcast interview with an expert in firearms lubrication. For pistols he recommends the light application of a light viscosity grease on the gun slide and other parts that wear together. Of course, never apply grease to the inside of the barrel.
Podcast ? Ballistic Radio Episode 29 ? September 22, 2013 | Ballistic Radio
Podcast ? Ballistic Radio Episode 29 ? September 22, 2013 | Ballistic Radio
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I'm a fan of Tetra cleaning products.
Worked very well so far for me....and the smell won't clear the room.
Worked very well so far for me....and the smell won't clear the room.
serpentine
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I learned to clean my handguns using Hoppes #9 and Hoppes Oil. I have since switched to Hoppe's Elite, so I can clean at home without disturbing the family's olfactory nerves. At least once a year, I clean using my old original routine with #9, just because.
There are a ton of products out there, and if you try a bunch, you will ultimately find what you like for yourself.
There are a ton of products out there, and if you try a bunch, you will ultimately find what you like for yourself.
Nomadic Vagabond
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- Hoppes 9 to clean the barrel, slide, and inside polymer
- Hoppes Oil to lube the barrel
- Tetra Gun Grease for lube points on the slide
- Hoppes Silicone Rag on the exterior slide when done
Breakfree CLP was good as an all-in-one but left the firearm too oily for my taste, so I decided to try dedicated cleaners and settled on that.
- Hoppes Oil to lube the barrel
- Tetra Gun Grease for lube points on the slide
- Hoppes Silicone Rag on the exterior slide when done
Breakfree CLP was good as an all-in-one but left the firearm too oily for my taste, so I decided to try dedicated cleaners and settled on that.
I use Hoppes and clean my guns at my garage workbench. The smell remains in the garage for days and my wife actually loves it. I should probably worry because she also likes the smell of gasoline, paint thinner and most glues. Maybe I should get her into a substance abuse program. I have to admit though that I also like the smell of Hoppes.
Scent does make a difference. I use a product called Firepower FP-10. It's a cleaner lube and works great for me. Plus it smells right.
It's the same with leatherwork, there are different products used for finishing leather and they gotta smell right and do the job.
I gotta admit that sometimes while sittin' on the sofa, I'm sniffin' my guns and holsters.
Tony2much
Member
My wife (of 10 months) was out shopping when I got home from the range and I decided to clean my guns on the kitchen table (on a cleaning mat of course). When she arrived home sooner than I expected, I was scrambling to get out of her way and apologized for "stinking up" her kitchen. She about floored me when she said she really liked the smell of the cleaning solution (Hoppes 9) and to take my time! She also likes the smell of gasoline and other cleaning solvents. It looks like I may have found my perfect match!
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