Ballistol when used makes me cough. So I use other stuff.
My Results w/ Hoppes vs Ballistol
- Thread starter Austinpaulster
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gfors
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I use Ballistol, almost exclusively, on all my weapons. Smell isn't great, but there is nothing in it that's harmful to humans, at least externally.
There is even medical grade Ballistol, although I don't have any. I have used regular Ballistol on my dried-out, cracked, hands, in the winter. It works wonderfully. YMMV.
Here's a link to their FAQ page:FAQs - Ballistol
There is even medical grade Ballistol, although I don't have any. I have used regular Ballistol on my dried-out, cracked, hands, in the winter. It works wonderfully. YMMV.
Here's a link to their FAQ page:FAQs - Ballistol
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Wrong. Per msds specs it contains medical grade mineral oil
I assumed when I read his post that surely he was talking about the Hoppe's #9 gun oil, but maybe the OP can clear that up for us. I've been happy with the Hoppe's gun oil. It's a bit more viscous than Rem Oil and stays "wet" where as Remoil tends to "dry".
cowboy4evr
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Marvel Mystery Oil is an excellent cleaner as well as a lubricant . You can get a quart bottle for about $8-$10 . That's enough to last almost a lifetime . My fiance's 06 van , with about 150K miles was using a lot of oil . About 4-5 quarts between oil changes . After adding Marvel Mystery Oil to 2 tanks of gas , it has completely stopped using oil . The oil rings had carboned up and were stuck , but not any more . When it comes to lubricants only , I remember when a gunsmith always had either a can of sewing machine oil or a can of 3-1 oil sitting on his bench , so do I .
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Austinpaulster
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Gents - I'm referring to the Hoppes 9 Lubricating Oil which should be a fair comparison to Ballistol. Bottle describes it as 'Lubricating Oil' with 'High Viscosity and Penetration'.
Now having said that, I START with the Hoppes #9 Solvent, but I have always finished with the oil.
Now, I'm thinking I may just use Ballistol for everything. I've got the regular can, but I think I'm going to use the spray too for more penetration.
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Austinpaulster
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Marvel's! I had forgotten all about it. I used it in many vehicles over the years. I used to swear by it, but never thought of it for my firearms.
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Austinpaulster
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Mystery oil is a light mineral oil with Stoddard solvent. Nothing mysterious about that.
Trooper224
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Years ago, I started using Hoppe's because it was available on the store shelf. Eventually I realized it wasn't really stellar at much of anything and guys used it mainly to feel like part of the club. Today, I use Ballistol as a general lubricant and as a solvent on my guns with a nickel finish. Along the way, I also learned that it wasn't neccessary to slather the whole gun with solvent and I now use very little of it.
VikingDude
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Ballistol is a good CLP, but if I am to use it I do it in a well ventilated area because I hate the smell, it actually taste better than it smells. I usually use Ballistol Gunex for cleaning and light lubrication and or Ballistol Guncer if I know I will have a long day at the range with lots of shooting.
But I do like to use Ballistol when cleaning rubber grips or giving a wood stock a light clean.
But I do like to use Ballistol when cleaning rubber grips or giving a wood stock a light clean.
I just can't understand why there's all this angst about the scent of Ballistol. I just don't find it at all unpleasant, let alone 'smelly', LOL.
Believe me, my feet could make one's eyes water after a long day.
However, that's more of an ammonia smell, much like what's in Sweet's.
Now THAT **** I detest, LOL.
Believe me, my feet could make one's eyes water after a long day.
However, that's more of an ammonia smell, much like what's in Sweet's.
Now THAT **** I detest, LOL.
Please explain how mineral oil will mix with water.
cowboy4evr
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Marvel Mystery oil is often imitated but never duplicated . Regards Paul
Perhaps she’s just acclimated to the smell of your dirty feet.
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Austinpaulster
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Hehe! I've been thinking the same thing Victor. I mean, it's not like we have to swim in it, wash with it, or otherwise slather it all over our skin! If you like the way it performs, but don't like the smell, don't worry - it fades (the scent that is) very quickly.
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Austinpaulster
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Austinpaulster
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It was more or less handed down to me as a solvent. I got used to the smell (which I like) and then just added the oil, or would receive it as a gifts. I don't think (know) there's anything bad about it, I just think there's better out there, and I believe that Ballistol meets that need for me. I clean and lube my guns so often that it really doesn't matter what I use frankly.
Just like folks have said about changing their motor oil, it really doesn't matter, as long as you do it regularly (please, let's not start a motor oil war!).
Having said that, and per my original post, the Ballistol has really loosened-up the action of some of my revolvers - and I'm quite happy about that.
And that's all folks!
Paul in Texas
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Ballistol is plant based. No petroleum products. It does mix with water and looks like milk. No mater the concentration any steel part left in the water mix will never rust.
