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Best Gun Cleaning Solvents Review

  • pistolreview
  • Aug 27, 2019
  • 12 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2020

Top 10 Best Gun Cleaning Solvents of 2019

Considering we conduct a site about cleaning guns & gun cleaning equipments we clearly get a lot of questions about exactly what the best gun cleaning products are. We went out and polled a number of the best shooters & gunsmiths in the area about what their favorites are. Most gun cleaning kits do not actually include any kind of gun cleaning solvent, so you would need to purchase yours individually.


There are a few commonly overlooked factors when purchasing gun cleaning solvents. If you plan on just running a bore snake & doing a fast cleanup you will only need a little bit of CLP. On the flip side, a full clean will involve a couple of distinct sorts of oils & cleansers. I will cover the ideal gun cleaner lubricants and guards, and I'll also go over why they would be the ideal.


Bore snake kits will generally already come with the two types of cleaning solvents. However if you bought a gun cleaning kit, you'll most likely need to buy both of these solvents separately.



Hoppe's Gun Cleaning Solvent Review


Hoppe's is well-known in the market for being the best bore cleaner. They've been around for over 100 years, and they've got making bore solvents really literally down to a science.


Among the more popular methods for cleaning guns would be to use this bore cleaner combined with a CLP. Another very popular method is to just use this lubricant and forgo the CLP completely, although you'll typically find mixed feedback among purists concerning the potency of that.




  1. I've personally been using Hoppe's No. 9 for years after shooting trap, and I regard it as one of the finest bore cleaners in contrast to other CLP's on the marketplace.

  2. Firms do not consist of boresnakes in gun cleaning kits, but they are vital for cleaning your gun fast.

  3. This is most commonly referred to as a"quick clean" and only takes a few seconds.




BREAK-FREE BEST GUN CLEANER SPRAY


You know something is well made when the US Army elects to use it to wash all rifles, pistols, as well as tanks. Break Free CLP has been one of the most well-known options among shooting enthusiasts through time. As you'll notice, there have been almost nothing but positive reviews.


Over time we've taken a peek at pretty much every gun cleaner spray. We have found Break Free CLP to be the best gun cleaning aerosol spray on the market nowadays.




While it also comes from spray bottles, we have a tendency to prefer Break Free CLP within an aerosol spray. The addition of the tiny straw on the finish makes it possible for us to target individual spots without wasting a bunch of the CLP.


Among the most important advantages of this specific CLP is that it has a quite large weather tolerance, therefore it works in practically all conditions.


Sage & Braker knew exactly what they were seeking to do if they named their merchandise. CLP stands for Clean, Lube, & Protect and this solvent does precisely that. If you inquire at your local gun club, I'd be prepared to bet that half of those folks there use this Sage & Braker solvent.


Besides smelling great (I would rank it up there with the odor of gunpowder) it cleans incredibly well.


If you are using CLP by Sage & Braker you will notice this gun cleaning solvent works perfectly with a bore spider. On the lookout for a whole clean? Go ahead and use it on brushes as well and you'll be just as happy!


A significant selling point of this solvent is that it's been specifically designed to stop from bringing dust like so many other CLP products do. I'm not exactly sure how they do it, but I will say that it is evident & it works!


Field Notes From Sage & Braker


No harsh smelling chemicals which will not harm the blueing and finish of your well-loved firearms. Non-Hazardous, non-toxic and biodegradable, so that you can feel good that cleaning your firearms is not damaging your loved one's health or our environment.


Normal CLP's oil can bring dust and sand. Bearing this in mind, we proceeded to work on the most effective CLP to arrive at the marketplace that considerably reduces adhesion of debris to your firearms surface. It also provides working components of the firearm improved heat dissipation leading to cooler weapon functioning temperatures. Our formulation enriches a complete burn of the powder in your capsule, creating a more consistent FPS and therefore a more accurate shot.


The aggressive cleaning of our Clean, Lube and Protect will remove crud from the firearms after years of neglect, while not using harsh chemicals that may poison those that use it.

Between Break Free & Billistol it has been a battle for the best gun cleaner spray. The Ballistol multipurpose spray gun cleaner has been actually developed for the German army over 100 decades back.


German scientists & engineers went to work creating a formula which could be an international gun cleaning formula for all kinds of firearms. Contemplating Germans are considered to have a number of the very best engineers in the world, it isn't no surprise that Ballistol may very well be the best gun cleaning solvent ever designed.


Holding fans everywhere have been using this formula since its conception, and many swear that this solvent is your ideal gun cleaner spray. Ballistol has been proven to not only clean guns, but also clean knives, boots, packs, engines, & a lot more.


We have seen plenty of cans of Ballistol gun spray spray floating round the trap club. It's also intended to be non-toxic and has a nice odor, unlike some other gun cleaner sprays.


SLIP2000 GUN CLEANER AND LUBRICANT Solvent


If you ever hear anyone talk about Slip2000, you will hear only good things about it. It is well-known for working excellent in extreme weather conditions, & I use it in my Benelli Super Black Eagle III shotgun through pheasant season in arctic temperatures.


As I mentioned above, Slip2000 is graded for extreme weather conditions, so it is the best alternative if you're likely to be in very cold or hot climates. Aerosol canisters are well-known for not working well in extreme cold, so that principles some CLPs out. Quite often these gun cleaning solvents will additionally gel up and make your gun almost impossible to wash.


Another nice feature about the Slip2000 is it is small enough to fit well into most hard-shell gun instances. Many shooters around our trap club maintain a bottle in their own gun cases year-round in case they need a quick gun lube.


This best gun cleaning solvent lube stays wet 5 times more than any other traditional lubricant. Reduces friction and wear

Protects against rust and won't attract dust, dirt or sand and operates in all types of environments

won't burn off like oil products and will be safe to use on metal, wood, plastic parts

doesn't permit aluminum, carbon, lead, and vinyl to stick and will decrease cleanup time by 50%

Non-Toxic and Non-hazardous. Developed along with your health, security and the environment in mind


It's one thing when you're at the shooting club plinking goals, however if it comes to deer hunting scent control is incredibly important. That is why they turn into Lucas Gun Oil, as it's an odorless CLP that is designed to prevent jamming and overheating in bigger caliber rifles. You won't want much, and just like most CLPs it will last you a very long moment.


This is a great, inexpensive alternative for gun owners. But you should make certain to be aware that this isn't especially a CLP. You should only be used for lubricating your firearms after you are done with your CLP to clean it.


Because this is simply a lubricant many shooters opt to use Hoppe's No 9 gun cleaner for cleanup and then use Lucas Gun Oil to lube their firearms.


HOPPE'S M-PRO7 - BEST GUN CLEANING OIL

If you're asking around about what the best gun cleaning solvent is, it's just natural to also ask what the best gun cleaning petroleum is. A lot of the contest shooters that we talked to in the scope adore the M-Pro7, and find it works extremely well with all the M-Pro bore snake.


We've used both the oil and shield for a few years on our pistols, and we've been delighted with its ability to work well in most weather conditions. One thing that we definitely noticed (and it seems we aren't the only ones) is that the jar is not a great design. We have experienced the jar flow around our gun cleaning kit if it's not stored right side up. Obviously, this was less than desirable.


While some have noticed that you could just twist the cap better, I'm not so convinced. Though the M-Pro7 is a great actual gun oil, it's best left at home on the workbench.


HOPPE'S NO. 9 BEST GUN CLEANER LUBRICANT


One of the first features you'll see is that they have included a childproof lid.


Besides the childproof lid, this gun cleaner lubricant is an incredible item. Among the most common CLP combos we've found has been this alongside the Hoppe's No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner. Having been around as long, Hoppe's has generated a large assortment of gun cleaning solvents. They're among the most trusted brands in the market, and they have certainly earned it.


1 thing which makes this specific gun cleaning lubricant so popular is it is a synthetic CLP. Even though many people swear by non-synthetic CLPs, it's extremely clear that this formulation is among the most effective on the industry.


  1. A complex oil specially designed for the modern firearm

  2. Provides a barrier against moisture and rust.

  3. Also works great on fishing lines and other mechanisms

  4. Superior protection and lubrication to all aspects of your firearm decreasing the wear and tear due to friction.

  5. Manufactured in the USA

Gun grease can be used to avoid corrosion which could develop during long-term storage. You will commonly find that most metal parts have a light coat of grease on any new guns you purchase. Normally when the gun is in the original box you will discover it has been greased from the manufacturer.


A little-known truth is that most screen firearms on the shelf are in reality degreased from the gun store. This provides folks testing the firearms that a cleaner, more positive first impression.


This Tetra grease is intended to help protect your gun for long-term storage. It is colorless and is supposed to be rubbed on your gun until you store it away for the time. 1 thing to notice is that it certainly has a powerful odor, but the smell does vanish after a day or 2.


PRO-SHOT -- BEST NEEDLE OILER CLP Gun Cleaning Solvent


This is a bit more of a market product, but many people like to incorporate a needle oiler within their gun cleaning kit. Though it was a difficult pick between Pro-Shot and Hoppe's, we opted for this particular one. I'd really consider it pretty even with Hoppe's, but we did not wish to make this type of list a complete catalog of Hoppe's goods best gun cleaning solvent, so here we are.


Pro-Shot's needle oiler CLP is a bit cheaper than Hoppe's (as of this writing). One nice feature we noticed was that Pro-Shot's CLP is actually a red liquid, which is actually kind of helpful to have the ability to tell if you are hitting the right spot or not.


A major benefit of a needle oiler is you could actually use the needle into scrape/clean hard to reach spots on your own gun. Evidently, you don't want to get out of control with this, but it is certainly helpful. Even after the CLP is gone tend to keep the jar & refill it with any additional gun cleaning solvent whenever they have on hand



WHAT to Think about when USING A GUN CLEANING SOLVENT


Trust us, we completely get it that it can be confusing when you are trying to pick a good gun cleaning solvent. There are so many alternatives and versions out there that it gets to be mind-numbing simply to differentiate the two.


Hopefully, our small best 10 list answers all your questions & helps you make some fantastic buying decisions. While a bottle of gun cleaning solvent likely won't break your bank, that $1,200 gun you're lubing up will. Take decent care of it and keep it tidy, and you are going to be handing down a pristine firearm to your children .


Here are a few more tips to include in your cleansing routine:


SECURE YOUR FIREARM

When you are cleaning your rifle you need to always make certain it's protected & is not likely to slip from your hands or off your instrument bench. A best practice is to use a gun vise to secure it.


We get that it might seem to be a little bit of overkill, but the last thing that you need to do is destroy the finish on your gun from simply cleaning it. Leave the scratches and scrapes for stories in the field, not from fumbling & bumbling during a cleaning session.


ANOTHER GREAT PRACTICE IS TO USE A GOOD GUN CLEANING MAT.

This can help you save your surfaces, and also to keep from inadvertently transferring your rifle cleaning solvents for you next job. There is nothing worse than having CLP anyplace & being unable to tell where it's coming from. Not sure what cleaning mat is the best for you, check out our favorites here.


Using a committed cleaning surface for your gun helps prevent that from occurring. This brings us into our next stage:




FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON'T LET THEM LEAK!


We attempt to point out that bottles to be be careful with, but always be confident that your CLP cap is screwed on extra tight. Storing bottles right-side-up is almost always a good idea too.


Another great idea (especially for travel) is to find some fantastic small bottles that you know won't escape. You may move some of your gutter cleaning solvent into these bottles & store them on your gun cleaning kit. Just make sure to label them clearly so that you know what's in each jar!




KNOW YOUR CLIMATE


If you're thinking about going on a hunting trip to Africa, you probably wouldn't base your purchasing decision on something that works well in the cold. Knowing what kind of weather you are going to be shooting in & preparation accordingly will put you in the best possible position for success.


Many of the gun cleaning solvents we listed have been demonstrated to work well in extreme weather situations, but you'll still want to verify that for yourself.




DIFFERENT SOLVENTS FOR DIFFERENT GUNS


As I mentioned best gun cleaning solvent above, a few of the solvents are actually being designed to operate well on high caliber rifles as well as machine guns. With this in mind you might opt to use a specific sort of CLP to your AR or pistol.


However,that same CLP may not be best suited to your black powder muzzle loader which you are going to fire once during gun deer season. Understanding which gun cleaning solvent to use for every situation can truly go a long ways.


WHY GUN CLEANING SOLVENTS ARE SO IMPORTANT


All your firearms was likely a significant investment for you at the time you bought it. Many shooters wind up saving months or even years to purchase a particular make & model of gun.


You want to protect that gun from all the elements and ensure that it is in top condition for many years to come.


As with any other business, some solvents are far better than others others are meant to serve more particular functions.


We went out of our method to offer just a tiny bit about what distinguishes every solvent on our list. This way it is possible to make the most educated decision possible. We certainly have our favorites, but our aim was to keep that from each of the descriptions so you can create your own decision.


Maintaining your firearm clean & ready to go by using a fantastic cleaning solvent is one of the most important things you can do. Making sure you wash your rifle regularly with a proper gun cleaning kit is going to be the largest variable in the life span of your gun.


When storing your guns you want to be sure you are preventing moisture buildup and condensation. As everyone knows moisture may cause guns to rust within a few days. Be certain that you're keeping your gun at a dry location.



TOP RELATED ARTICLE -- BEST GUN CLEANING KIT


MAKING THE CALL: WHAT'S THE BEST GUN CLEANING SOLVENT?


There's nothing worse than reading through a Top 10 list simply to find the author did not ever pick their favorite. Well, we weren't going to let this happen here!


We polled our team of competitive shooters and also the results were nearly unanimous. Just about every one of our shooters picked Hoppe's Bore Cleaner as their top pick. They'd all been using it for years, and have struggled to find something better.


It is important to note that you should use Hoppe's Bore Cleaner in combination with other solvents as it's not technically a CLP. However, it is definitely the top bore cleaner available on the market. There were a few people that use it exclusively on their firearms without difficulty, but many people prefer a CLP spray after utilizing the bore cleaner.


Our choice for the best aerosol gun cleaner spray was Break Free. I've been using it for a few decades now, and I've never been disappointed. As with the majority of gun cleaners, a single can of the aerosol CLP spray will last you years.


Using the ideal gun cleaning solvent is crucial if you expect your guns to perform at peak operation. It's important that you understand exactly what you're expecting of your CLP.


Hopefully, you've got some good insights out of our post about the top 10 gun cleaning solvents. Heck, perhaps you even learned a thing or two. While we certainly have our favorites, it's essential to note that there really isn't an"all in one" pick that we'd recommend. Spend the extra $10 and grab the right combination of solvents. Your firearm will thank you for it in years to come.

 
 
 

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