Handguns and Ammunition Forum banner

Cleaner and lubicant recommendations?

5508 Views 31 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Guest
I'd like to hear some feedback on the recommended choice of solvents for cleaning an auto-loader and for lubricating same. What are you favorites for these to separate functions?
1 - 20 of 32 Posts
Hi there,

I use Hoppes #9 powder solvent for interior/exterior cleaning, lube with a combination of Breakfree CLP and use Militec Grease (light finger application) on moving parts.

Previously, I never used grease, but it has already shown to slow down mechanical wear on moving parts.

Chris
My cleaning rod lately is just a piece of 3/32"diam. stiff aluminum welding wire I had left over from a job. I squirt some Outers NitroSolvent Bore Cleaner (spray can from WalMart) in the bore from the chamber end, leave it a minute, then push a patch wet with solvent thru from the chamber end with the stiff wire. I rarely ever use a brush. Modern American Factory ammo I use is fairly clean for me. Then I follow with a patch wet with BreakFree CLP, and another one same way. If I plan to shoot again the next day, I don't clean at all, only when my gun is goin in the safe.
If I ever have to use a brush, I use the Otis System flexible cable to pull the brush thru. Don't use Hoppe's No. 9 much anymore. The Outers does good enough and doesn't stink.
Been looking at Hoppe's new "Elite" stuff, tried a sample they sent, don't really see any big improvement for the jacketed ammo I use. Maybe it will help those that use bare lead ammo or high velocity ammo in rifles.
I use the same patches that went thru the bore to clean off the slide/bolt/extractor end , etc.
For slide lub I use a very very small amount of Tetra grease in the grooves with a paper napkin twisted into a point, just enough that I can barely see it. Too much attracts dirt.
(I use the Otis System for rifles, but we're talking pistols here.)
og........who is too lazy to thread patches on old fashioned cleaning rod tips for short pistol barrels.
See less See more
OG, the Hoppe's "Elite" is repackaged M-Pro-7 touted as the only "environmentally safe gun cleaner". I've been very tempted to try it myself, as the smell of Hoppe's #9 tends to get to me during cleaning.

Currently, I use a mixture of Hoppes #9 and Breakfree CLP as cleaners.
Militec-1 only as my lube...I simply LOVE Militec-1 and I can't recommend it enough. I've finally used nearly the whole sample tube they sent me, so I'll be picking some up before too long.

My cleaning method is run a swab through the bore, a cleaner soaked patch around the parts, scrub the dirtier areas with a nylon brush, wipe down with a clean patch, run clean patches through the barrel until they come out clean. Lube llightly, reassemble and finish lubing. But I'm really considering trying a Bore Snake for those shorter range sessions where I only fire 50 rounds or so...

-Rob
Rob, do you have a link for Miltec so I can get a sample?? I'd like to try it.
og
OG, www.militec1.com/contactus1.html use the email link and type in "Free Sample" under the subject line, and include a note asking for the free sample and your shipping info. They no longer advertise the free sample on their website, but I've had several folks tell me they will still send you a sample if you ask.

Great folks to deal with, don't expect a response to your email though. I never got one, just an envelope about a week or two(I forget) after I requested my sample, with a tube of Militec-1 oil, tube of Militec-1 Grease, and some literature.

-Rob
Hi there OG and RandomMan,

I just ordered one of Militec's valuepacks with the 4 oz. bottle of lubricant, applicant tip and tube of grease. All for the princely sum of $23.90 including shipping!

All I can say is this stuff works!

I had FTF problems with my parkerized Kel Tec P-32 until I took the barrel out, coated it inside and out with militec, and baked it for 15 minutes in a 200 degree oven. The change was immediate. No more FTF!!!

Chris

P.S. This was not a paid promotional testimonial.
I have been using the MiliTec-1, for over a year....and I too heat it, but with the sun and black plastic bags...or hair drier....200* in an oven is a bit much.... and I would guess breaks down the lube. I also use MiliTec-1 greese, bike aid, corrosion X,bull frog, hoppes #9, gun scrub, and gun juice...anything applied to warm metal bonds better....same with cleans up better.
I just apply the Mil-Tech and shoot. Plenty of heat.
Cool!! Are you supposed to bake it??

og
Some people do, I don't. I find that it still lasts a very long time and is an excellent lubricant without being heated/baked into the metal. I put a couple of "raw"(no baking/heating) drops of it on my knives when I first got it 7 or 8 months ago and they're still smooth as silk and glide right open.

YMMV of course.

-Rob
G
In one of the forums I visit there was a discussion about *not* using Breakfree in the bore. Something about the Teflon effecting accuracy and being almost impossible to remove.

I was going to post a link, but dang if I can find it now. :-/

Kent
Hi there OG,


Cool!! Are you supposed to bake it??

og
Yes sir, it basically speeds up the function of conditioning the metal. You can also use it straight for doing the straight lube, or the hairdryer trick. I prefer "the shake and bake" method.

Chris
G
I spray in my barrel right after shooting with Ballistol.
Then why I clean it, the next day or so, I use Shooters Choice for the barrel and a teflon based oil for relubing.
G
FP10 as a CLP and Gunbutter for grease on rails work perfectly for me. My AR15 uses only FP10 and works far better than my USMC issued M16s with Breakfree. Plus FP10 doesn't stink to high heaven.
OG, the Hoppe's "Elite" is repackaged M-Pro-7 touted as the only "environmentally safe gun cleaner". I've been very tempted to try it myself, as the smell of Hoppe's #9 tends to get to me during cleaning.

Currently, I use a mixture of Hoppes #9 and Breakfree CLP as cleaners.
Militec-1 only as my lube...I simply LOVE Militec-1 and I can't recommend it enough. I've finally used nearly the whole sample tube they sent me, so I'll be picking some up before too long.

My cleaning method is run a swab through the bore, a cleaner soaked patch around the parts, scrub the dirtier areas with a nylon brush, wipe down with a clean patch, run clean patches through the barrel until they come out clean. Lube llightly, reassemble and finish lubing. But I'm really considering trying a Bore Snake for those shorter range sessions where I only fire 50 rounds or so...

-Rob
I use M-Pro-7 and I'll tell you it works GREAT no smell the key is to let it seat in the bore for 5min if you really need it clean let it seat longer 30min make sure say 15min in give it a few more sprays and let it seat till the 30min is up.

Then brush the bore and then wet a patch and put it throw it will come out so black my Glock 19 barrel you could see yourself in it. I also use Militec-1 oil and grease and it is all I will use, I have there test simple to and it last a long time becuase you need so little but it works as they say my bore stay cleaner and shoots better with its use.

So if you really want a GREAT cleaner and oil use those two and it will be all you need. I also use Q-tip and computer air in a can to blow out any cleaner left in the small parts works great.

CLP is old school and you get alot of dirt and sand mixed in and it will jam your auto up Militec-1 that does not happen at all.
Agree with M-Pro 7...completely odorless and cleans well. I use Tetra for light lubricant, and their light "grease," sparingly!, on slide rails.
e-mailed Militec June 10, received samples today, June 13, amazing!
two samples..one says grease, no instruction on tube; the other tube says synthetic Weapons Lubricant, instruction says to heat.
OK, I understand what to do with the one to heat.
But do you guys use the plain grease stuff too?? Without heating??
Need some clues.
og........who ain't too smart.
MiliTec does a great job in getting their product out...the locking lugs on the HP are a good place to use the grease..or any area that locks into place.... I would not use it...on any friction slide areas. Still the best way to heat, is the old black plastic bag...in the sun....you want heat....but not so much you break down the lube...and change its make up. If you first use the lube with the grease as a top coat.... heat would not be needed for the grease. I have been using this stuff..in this fashion... for well over two years with great results.
1 - 20 of 32 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top