A good cleaning & lubricating solvent to soak my polymer and steel pistols in?

[JLStorm]

I have been using lots of zip lock bags up soaking my pistols in breakfree or gun scrubber after they are sprayed down for about an hour, it works really well, but I think soaking will work better and get to more areas, plus my wife sill stop complaining about me using up all the bags. I also figure its probably better for the environment not to waste all that non biodegradable plastic anyway. I am going to get a 2 quart plastic or glass container I can use long term and put a good cleaning, conditioning, and lubricating solvent in so that I can soak my pistols for about an hour before cleaning after the range to make cleaning multiple guns take less time. I want something that will clean the carbon, copper, and lead out, but also lubricate all the small parts I dont get to on a normal field stripping. I want something that comes in a bottle of 32oz or more but I can buy w 16oz bottles as well I suppose. Additionally, I dont want it to screw with my night sights or any locktite that helps hold the sights in place. I know the dirt and grim will stay in the container, but this is just to really loosen up the dirt cut the carbon and lubricate, I will spray and wipe it down afterwards. This is also why I dont want something super expensive so I wont mind replacing it when it gets too dirty...something biodegradable would be awesome as long as it works well.

I was looking at hoppe's elite gun cleaner which I have used before and liked, but it doesnt lubricate.

Any suggestions?

 

[CountGlockula]

M-Pro7 is what I've been using for my polymer pistol. I'm a plastic type of guy.

 

[JLStorm]

thats what I use currently to manually clean the pistol, but it is a bit on the pricey side. Im hoping to get around 32oz for under $25.00, not sure if Mpro7 makes something that size or what the price would be, I'll have to look around more.

 

[HM2PAC]

I would use either CLP or Pro-Shot 1 Step. 8oz bottles are the largest I've seen. I'm sure there are other Cleaner/Lubricants on the market. Finding something "eco-friendly" might be a chore.

 

[Master Blaster]

Mpro7 brownells has a gallon for only 73.49

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=23147&title=M-PRO+7? GUN CLEANER

 

[JLStorm]

thanks, I found 32oz for 24.00 online, I think I will go that route, a gallon is a bit more than I wanted to buy in case I want to switch to something else later.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Opinions are like, well you know, everybody has one. So, since you asked, here's mine. Cleaning and lubricating are two very separate and different things. Combination products are a compromise on both fronts. You get compromised cleaning, and compromised lubrication. I think the way you are doing it now is exactly right. Clean them well, then lubricate them properly.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Never used it myself, but this would seem to be the ultimate in a "soak" type cleaner: Cylinder & Slide Dunk-Kit

 

[surjimmy]

You've uses CLP before, no reason to change. That's what we used in the Marine Corps. I still use it today on my Les Baer and all my other weapons, it's the best stuff I've found.(IMHO)

 

[Gun Slinger]

Snarlingiron,

+1

Solvents are for cleaning, lubricants for lubrication. Mixing the two is a compromise at best. You read my mind.



JLS,

I understand your desire to have one product that does it all.

However, such a product that possesses such qualities (both lubricant and copper removal) is also quite likely to have within its composition, ammonia based compounds that while useful for reacting with copper and facilitating it's removal, are also by their very design and intended use, somewhat corrosive in nature and not something that I would elect to have remain in/on my gun any longer than absolutely necessary. Depending upon the construction of your particular gun, leaving such chemicals in extended contact with certain metals and finishes could possibly result in damage to your firearm ranging from simple discoloration in the short term to structural damage in the long term. You are doing fine by cleaning first and then lubricating afterwards.

As for suggestions, my service regimen for maintaining all of my weapons (HK's, Glocks and AK-47's) is that I use Shooter's Choice Polymer Safe Degreaser (any brand of "Polymer Safe" spray degreaser should also do quite well for that matter) for cleaning/flushing out debris/unburnt powder. It is primarily omposed of isopropyl alcohol and heptane with a carbon dioxide propellant which tends to be pretty mild upon most polymers and other materials typically found in firearms and the isopropyl alcohol is an excellent water displacer as well. You may wish to test it against any the polymeric material present in your firearm though, prior to use.

As for lubrication, I prefer (and use) Mobil 1 Synthetic 20W50 afterwards.

G/S

 

[JLStorm]

Never used it myself, but this would seem to be the ultimate in a "soak" type cleaner: Cylinder & Slide Dunk-Kit

This stuff looks really promising. I think you guys are right about trying to clean and lub at the same time. The cylinder & slide stuff looks good, as does hoppes elite gun cleaner. The C&S stuff comes in its own bucket which is nice...and its not very expensive for the amount you get. I dont know anyone that uses it though who I can ask about it.

 

[Ken Rainey]

You might want to do a search for Ed's Red...it's a home mixture that's used for cleaning firearms...can't remember the exact recipe...I think there's a couple of different ways to mix it depending on exactly what you want to clean..such as just the barrel or the whole firearm....interesting stuff.