Hoppes 9 Semi Auto

[Smeg]

From the item description:

It does an excellent job of removing copper, lead and powder fouling, leaving absolutely no trace of residue.

Sounds too good to be true to me. Anyone have any experience with the product? Will it protect after application, or would it be necessary to run an oily patch through after cleaning is done?

This is for my M1A, if it matters at all. Right now, my cleaning regime consists only of Eezox all over the gun (except for the parts that need grease). If this semi-auto stuff works as it says, seems like it would be ideal for the bore and I could save the relatively expensive Eezox for every other part.

Thoughts?

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Hoppes #9 rocks...And is also one of the best gun related smells too.

But for your m1a, you might want to try break free CLP

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Some folks may say it isn't very strong compared to other cleaners, but you don't have to worry about it ruining other materials, and it does the job well enough. And the smell totally rocks!!!

 

[Smeg]

I know the Hoppes 9 in the tan bottle is for powder removal (and yeah, the smells reminds me of Christmas), but I'm referring to the Hoppes 9 Semi-Auto stuff (in the silver bottle). The description says that it removes powder, lead, and copper.

Does it really do a good job at removing copper, or should I look into having a separate dedicated copper solvent on stand by from time to time?

Also, the Semi-Auto formula specifically says it leaves no trace of residue. Does this mean it doesn't protect like the tan bottle, or what? Does it evaporate more quickly or something?

Just trying to learn more about the silver bottle Hoppes 9.

 

[Rugerman99]

Gotta love the smell!

It's good stuff and gets the job done.

 

[esmith]

Hoppes is awesome and it smells even better. The best way to see how it works is to use it on a shotgun. You will see where it lifts the residue off of the bore and it clumps.

 

[Smeg]

Thanks for the replies, but my question is mainly pertaining to the Hoppes 9 in the silver bottle which is marketed toward semi-auto's. Is it that much different than the Hoppes 9 in the tan bottle?

 

[havanatrader]

It looks interesting, the standard Hoppes 9 doesn't say anything about copper removal.
I'll have to give this stuff a try.

 

[Detritus]

Is it that much different than the Hoppes 9 in the tan bottle?

it's made to cut copper better/faster than the original, which will cut copper but it takes a while (this is why you're not supposed to dip bore-brushes directly into the bottle, it'll eat the bristles) , and it probably cuts lead a little better too. original Hoppe's No.9 is a powder solvent that happens to cut lead and copper if given enough time (days).

Semi-auto is hoppe's answer to the fact that original No.9 now has to share shelf space with products that do a better job of removing all forms of fouling, faster.

Semi-Auto a decent all around cleaner and a good choice if you want to use a single solvent rather than, one each for powder, copper, and lead.

But if you have an actual fouling problem in a particular gun you need to use a solvent specific to that fouling type, as well as adress WHY you have the fouling problem...

so my take is, buy the 4oz bottle, see how the stuff works for you. if you like it buy a bigger bottle.

as for me, on the rare occasions when Blue Wonder doesn't do the job (note: it ALWAYS get the powder fouling) i resort to Shooter's Choice products, they have the advantage of not stinking as bad as Sweets or (to my wife at least) Hoppe's

Oh and yes you should use something separate to coat the bore if you're worried about corrosion. but of course swab/boresnake it to remove excess oil before shooting it again.

 

[JohnBT]

It's okay, but there are better things out there. I've had a half a bottle sitting on the shelf for a loooong time.

www.hoppes.com/products/semi_auto_solvents.html

What I have is in a silver bottle, but the site shows a different bottle so maybe they changed the formula.

John

 

[tegemu]

It makes great cologne.

 

[benEzra]

AFAIK, it's not really the best protectant. I'd follow it with a good gun oil, CLP, or Mobil 1.

 

[Smeg]

Thanks, guys.