Is Breakfree CLP really sufficient?

Use it for everything unless the copper fouling gets too bad--then the Sweets 7.62 comes out

It was designed to simplify logistics, as a "good enough" lubricant that is also a "good enough" cleaner and a "good enough" protectant. By all accounts it is pretty good at all three roles.

There are individual products that are somewhat better lubricants, somewhat better cleaners, and somewhat better protectants, but the difference probably doesn't matter for most users.

I can't stand the smell of Breakfree CLP, though. So I use separate products, just my preference.

I love CLP's. BreakFree is one of the good ones. It's not my favorite, but I like it. There are so many great products available you can pick whatever meets your needs. I like non-toxic, non-foul smelling, CLP's.

It's expensive but it works and it works good breakfree and good ol' hoppes No.9 is all I use in my guns.

Your parents paid a whole bunch of tax dollars to procure this for the D.O.D. and amazingly, in this case they got more than they paid for. When most of the companies read the proposed requirements for a single product that would clean lube and protect they said it was not possible. Breakfree's formula actually exceeded the Mil specs. I have been using it on heavy use competition guns for 25 years and it really does do all three. I have never had a gun rust using just CLP. At the end of a long range day of 1000 rounds the barrel and rails still had CLP on them when I broke it down and all the nasty stuff came right off after soaking in CLP for 5 min. I had some Marine buddies who would "appropiate" 1 gal. jugs of CLP for our shop. They said it works on everything from small arms to artillery and Naval guns. You can pay more but you won't get better specs.

Nothing wrong with using CLP. I think it's just an antiquated notion that cleaning your guns has to be difficult. I tend to use Ballistol on just about everything these days, but honestly, any of the modern cleaning products will work just fine if you do your part.

Weapon Shield is my favorite CLP. Other than an occasional copper cleaner or grease for slide rails, it's all I use.

You greaser.

For most of my firearms I field strip them, clean them with hoppes, and then grease them with a little Rig Gun Grease. The exterior gets a light coat of oil.

Revolvers and my MK3 get a quick flush with break free and then I wipe down the exterior with a light oil. This is because I'm lazy and hate taking revolvers and the Ruger MK3 apart. This method seems to work fine for me.

I have used it for years and have never had a problem with rust or lack of lube with any gun. Now I also use Tetra Grease on some parts such as slides on a auto loader or on the cylinder pins on revolvers or lever slides on rifles etc. I do use Hoppes # 9 though for bore cleaning.

I do not use anything but Balistol on my black powder guns however or a home made mix when I can't get it. I still use CLP though on the out side of even those guns.

BF CLP does well enough for it's multi-tasking nature- I've used it without a problem and would again if need be. Of course, if a slightly thicker lubricant is needed, BF LP is a good choice, too.

It's pretty much all I use for basic cleaning and lubrication.

Originally Posted by benEzra
It was designed to simplify logistics, as a "good enough" lubricant that is also a "good enough" cleaner and a "good enough" protectant. By all accounts it is pretty good at all three roles.

There are individual products that are somewhat better lubricants, somewhat better cleaners, and somewhat better protectants, but the difference probably doesn't matter for most users.

Nailed it. I buy it by the case, if that tells you anything about my feelings. There are better products out there, certainly. But it's sufficient as an all-in-one for most of us, most of the time.

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^^^^YEP^^^^^

I don't use it in the aerosol cans as a cleaner, but do like it in the little squeeze bottles for lubing specific points. Even after several hundred rounds fired in a session there is still some film of lube visible, so it has pretty good "staying power."

I've been using Breakfree CLP since the 80s and will continue to. Never had a rust problem while using it, cleaning after a range trip is easier. I do use Hoppes #9 for bore cleaning on my milsurp stuff and a foaming bore cleaner but after it clean I gets Breakfree.

Damn, is this thread on every forum?

Don't forget that you can use Breakfree CLP on nickle plated parts while you need to stay away from ammonia based cleaners for them.

I use CLP most of the time on most things and bring out the "heavy duty" cleaners once in a while.

Dan

Hoppe's 9 seems to be working well for me when cleaning bores and a little on a patch to go over all other visable parts. When I need a spray, I use a spray can of electronics cleaner, then use an air can to blow the spray out and to dry it out. Been using Mobil 1 Synthetic trans oil to go over the metal parts after cleaning and a very light coating of regular hi-temp grease on rails. You can spend alot on cleaning chemicals. I think keeping things simple works for me.

The short answer is yes. Occasionally, for really nasty fouling in the barrel you might need to resort to a specialized cleaner, but other than that, you're good to go.

Yes, for everything except really heavy copper fouling, BreakFree CLP is Da Bomb.

I use Barnes CR-10 or Sweets 7.62 for the really heavy copper fouling.

Ed's Red works well and is really cheap to make, but the great (to me) smell and multipurpose effectiveness of BreakFree is very tough to beat.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

It was designed to simplify logistics, as a "good enough" lubricant that is also a "good enough" cleaner and a "good enough" protectant.

Click to expand...

Jack of all trades, master of none.

I like it for travel.