Who makes the absolute best handgun cleaner?

[Spartanden]

Question.... regarding cleaners.... I am new here but not so new to pistols. I have used Hoppes in the past. But reading this, and seeing some articles about oils with the new cars, I thought I would read this and become enlightened!
How about brake cleaner? I use brake cleaner on a number of things to remove oil residue and clean various car and Harley parts. Would this work on our pistols? It does clean well and evaporates fairly quickly. Use brake clean then oil it? Or is there something about brake clean that is harmful ?? Help me become a better armorer!!

 

[Shuz]

Gary has it right. Ed's red is the best there is and it's easy to make, and it's cheap. If you leave out the acetone, it still works great. Go to a competetive match and see how many folks are using Ed's red. It was first formulated by a fellow by the name of C.E. (Ed)Harris, a noted expert on firearms, that once worked for the NRA.

 

[Invictus357]

This thread is an interesting read on everyone's cleaning methods.

As I said earlier I am a recent convert to Ballistol.

For years my routine was Hoppes#9 (I love the smell),soak for 10 minutes, brass brush out the barrel and charge holes, nylon brush the forcing cone and run patches until I give up waiting for the clean patch to come through. After all that I one drop some lube (FP-10) behind the ejector star and use lead remover cloth on the front of the cylinder and around the forcing cone.

Nowadays I spray down with Ballistol, brass brush and then bore snake the barrel and charge holes. I use Ballistol wipes on the front of the cylinder, around the forcing cone and then wipe down the gun.

I'm done in minutes and gun looks amazing.

 

[diyj98]

I must be living in a cave. I had never heard of using liquid mercury that way. As a middle schooler, I remember handling it some. IIRC, it was extremely heavy. Back then, we didn't know it was so toxic.
Larry

"Back in the old days" it was fairly common for removing lead from bores. I've used it and it works well, but that was years ago.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I use Kroil or Marvel Mystery Oil to clean with , they do everything I need . Have used 3-1 for years as a lube and it works fine for it's intended purpose . I don't buy fancy new stuff and don't mix up " witches brew " . To remove leading in a barrel I use " Chore Boy " copper scouring pad wrapped around a wore out bore brush . Afterwards I wipe down with soft cotton cloth . I keep it simple and " that " works well for me . Regards Paul

 

[luvsmiths]

Well, this was a short thread and and easy to answer question. I'm completely clear on what to use now.

Can I ask a similar question?

Who makes the absolute best best handgun oil?

 

[Neal]

My gunsmith friend says outboard motor cleaner is the best gun
solvent. I bought a can but have not tried it yet.

 

[AJ]

My gunsmith friend says outboard motor cleaner is the best gun
solvent. I bought a can but have not tried it yet.

Try it and get back to us with a user report.

 

[serger]

Well, this was a short thread and and easy to answer question. I'm completely clear on what to use now.

Can I ask a similar question?

Who makes the absolute best best handgun oil?

When I was looking at this, several people recommended various
brand names. However, if you pull up a couple Safety Data Sheets
you'll see they are pretty much all made from mostly mineral oil.

So I ended up making the lube part of Ed's Red. 1/2 kerosene,
1/2 Dextron II.



Having said that go to Friar Frogs for home made gun goodies:

Homemade Firearm Related Products

 

[cmj8591]

My gunsmith friend says outboard motor cleaner is the best gun
solvent. I bought a can but have not tried it yet.

Funny. My boat guy says Hoppe's #9 is the best outboard cleaner.

 

[Luvmine]

Can’t say which one is the best. I tend to use the M-Pro 7 if the firearm is really dirty. It’s great at cleaning the front of a blued gun cylinder. In the end, there is no real bad choice here.

Just this one man’s humble opinion.

 

[DonD]

I do—to answer your heading. 50/50 ATF & Acetone.

Don't doubt it works, acetone is a pretty nasty chemical. Personally I wouldn't get near it. Don

 

[sw282]

Yup, this will be a long thread! My go to is Ballistol. I slather my wood grips in it too.

''Rub it in. Rub a little on your nose. Rub a little on your toes.

Rub it on your BACK, and your Sacroiliac.

And the hair on your Chinny Chin Chin''

 

[6518John]

Don't doubt it works, acetone is a pretty nasty chemical. Personally I wouldn't get near it. Don

General Julian Hatcher wrote recipe for the mix in the 1920’s and it has been in active use since.

Hatcher's Notebook - Julian S. Hatcher - Google Books

As to the dangers of Acetone:

Acetone Properties & Uses | Chemical Safety Facts

Acetone occurs naturally in the human body as a byproduct of metabolism. Acetone is also a primary ingredient in many nail polish removers. As a solvent, acetone is frequently incorporated in other solvent systems or “blends,” used in the formulation of lacquers for automotive and furniture finishes, for example.

 

[diyj98]

Acetone is most regular nail polish removers. It’s fairly harmless to your skin.

I listened to a recent podcast where Roy Huntington said he pretty much felt gun oil was gun oil. That’s always mostly been my opinion. I won’t pay premiums for exotic stuff.