best cleaning solvent for all firearms?

[Axis II]

I'm looking for the best do all cleaner for all types of firearms from 22lr-50cal/ML-9mm-38-223-to the big bores 45-70/44mag.

I have tried Break free powder blast, hopps #9, and hopps copper solvent. I was looking around at the store the other day and see lead solvent that says its for 22lr, different copper solvents like shooters choice, proshot, & hopps. I also see a lot of CLP talk on here.

I shoot a lot of V-MAX, FMJ, SP in the rifles and just basic hunting rounds in the big bores. I shoot a lot of extreme plated in the 9mm and 38. I've noticed that some of my reloading powders are quite dirty too.

so... what do you guys recommend for my setups?

 

[Sav .250]

"Best cleaning solvent for all fire arms ?" I`ll stick with Hoppe`s #9.

General bore, action , etc is one thing. Special applications something else.

Looks like you`ve done some home work, your on the right path.

 

[GBExpat]

My approach is boring ...

For my standard cleaning regimen I use Mineral Spirits, Hoppes#9 and Eezox, all dispensed onto mounted patches or phosphor-bronze bore brushes from little eye-dropper bottles.

For final wipe-down I have an Eezox flannel that I store in a ziplock bag.

Copper buildup in bores I remove with an application of Sweet's 7.62 Solvent.

I have a couple of cans of foaming bore cleaner but have not yet used it enough to decide how well it does and/or if I like using it.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Homemade Ed's Red minus the acetone to clean it. Eezox to protect it.

 

[Axis II]

how do you guys feel about lead solvent for a 22lr?

how do you know if you need to buy special copper solvents?

now if i run the copper solvents do i still need to use say hopps or what not after to clean the powder and other stuff?

 

[Bentonville]

I, too, use Eezox for protection. It's the best as far as I know. One caution; Eezox has known cancer - causing ingredients. I am careful not to get it on my skin or to breathe it.

 

[Stumper]

Almost anything will work for powder fouling. Copper requires something with ammonia and care in the use thereof (but the actual need to clean copper fouling is small for other than benchrest shooters) . No solvent really works on lead fouling but good penetrants help the brushes and scrubbers lift it free of the steel. Given the forgoing the popularity of CLP products is understandable-they work about as well as anything else except on copper and simplify things.

 

[GBExpat]

how do you guys feel about lead solvent for a 22lr?

Sorry, but I have never experienced leading in my .22s. For handguns running lead bullets, if I detect some leading I will soak the bores with Kroil and let them sit for a few hours. Afterwards I will run an old, worn-down bore brush wrapped with some copper Chore Bore filament to remove the lead.

how do you know if you need to buy special copper solvents?

Well, one sure indication is if the groups on a well-used/-known shooter start opening up and you can see beaucoup copper in the bore. Rather than wait until a bore gets to that point, many of us will periodically clean the copper with something like Sweet's.

WARNING! Many/most serious copper removers contain ammonia which will remove bluing, so be very careful.

now if i run the copper solvents do i still need to use say hopps or what not after to clean the powder and other stuff?

You should properly clean the bore with Hoppes or the like before doing a copper cleaning routine. Afterwards you will need to perform another careful cleaning to assure that all of the copper cleaner has been removed.

HTH.

 

[Cannibul]

Ed's Red. I make it without the acetone.

Once in a while I'll run a some copper remover through my rifles.

Ed's Red lube:
2-Quarts Synthetic Motor Oil.
1-Quart Automatic Transmission Fluid. Brand and spec don't matter.
1-Bottle of original STP. The blue bottle.
1-7 oz. jar of Hoppe's #9

Cleaner:
1 part Dexron II, IIe or III ATF
1 part kerosene, deodorized K1
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits (odorless mineral spirits, Stoddard Solvent, Varsol)
1 part Acetone
Optional: up to 1lb Lanolin Anhydrous, USP, per gallon. Ok to substitute Lanolin, Modified, Topical Lubricant

 

[entropy]

There is no one best for all, but Hoppe's #9 works for just about everything very well.Ed's Red is fine also.
One might make an argument for ultrasonic cleaning solution.....

 

[J-Bar]

All firearms??

I guess none of you have heard of black powder firearms. Soapy water followed by Ballistol or similar lube is customary for coal burners.

But carry on, those of you who insist smokeless powder is not a passing fad!!

 

[firedawg60]

While I haven't tried it, but plan to soon, Bore Tech Eliminator gets good reviews as a do-all cleaner that removes copper and doesn't contain ammonia. I haven't seen many comments on how well it does with .22 fouling though.

 

[reddog81]

It does depend on the firearm and what you're shooting. If you have lead fouling the treatment is different from copper fouling or someone cleaning the plastic fouling out of a shotgun bore, which is completely different than cleaning something shot with potentially corrosive primers, or black powder.

Ed's Red or Hoppe's works in most scenarios.

 

[LeaveBenAlone]

I've always been a bit cautious when something says its for a specific caliber. As for single purpose solvents, they seem to be a waste of money in my mind. I feel like buying a specialized cleaner or solvent is like buying brand name bleach, why do it when the off-brand works just as well? Hoppes #9 or Butches Bore Shine and a bore snake have always been my money makers.

 

[stchman]

Best cleaning solvent for all firearms, you'll get a LOT of different opinions.

I personally use Hoppe's #9. Hoppe's works and is relatively inexpensive. I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner to rinse the gun off. I use RemOil to lube the outer portion of the gun, then I use 5W-30 to lube the barrel and action. Been doing this for years with no problems.

 

[LeaveBenAlone]

Best cleaning solvent for all firearms, you'll get a LOT of different opinions.

I personally use Hoppe's #9. Hoppe's works and is relatively inexpensive. I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner to rinse the gun off. I use RemOil to lube the outer portion of the gun, then I use 5W-30 to lube the barrel and action. Been doing this for years with no problems.

Brake cleaner? Like for cars? Do you apply it outside the gun or inside?

 

[Capybara]

What's the consensus on Ballistol? I just ordered a can of it from Brownells, I have to break this nasty FrogLube habit I have acquired. Ballistol is a good CLP?

 

[stchman]

Brake cleaner? Like for cars? Do you apply it outside the gun or inside?

Once I have used #9 and scrubbed the crud, I use brake cleaner(yes, the kind you use on cars) to flush all the crud out. Most polymer frames are unaffected by brake cleaner, but don't use on wood. The thing to remember is that the gun will have virtually no lube after this so lube the gun.

Gun Scrubber is essentially non-chlorinated brake cleaner, except it cost about 4X as much.

 

[stchman]

What's the consensus on Ballistol? I just ordered a can of it from Brownells, I have to break this nasty FrogLube habit I have acquired. Ballistol is a good CLP?

Ballistol is OK for a lube if you can tolerate what smells like black licorice and baby vomit mixed together. Ballistol personally makes me gag.

 

[LeaveBenAlone]

Once I have used #9 and scrubbed the crud, I use brake cleaner(yes, the kind you use on cars) to flush all the crud out. Most polymer frames are unaffected by brake cleaner, but don't use on wood. The thing to remember is that the gun will have virtually no lube after this so lube the gun.

Gun Scrubber is essentially non-chlorinated brake cleaner, except it cost about 4X as much.

Good top tip! I might give that a try.

 

[Sunray]

"... for a 22lr..." Nothing exotic is required for cleaning anything. You'll rarely have any leading issues with a .22 anyway. Just use a regular cleaning solvent like Hoppe's or any other brand. No need to complicate things.

 

[stoky]

I'm likin Mpro7 cleaner lately. Doesn't stink, purportedly non toxic and seems really good for (smokeless) powder residue.
Still Sweet's for copper, BLC for lube.
Rust Shield chamios for esposed metal.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

There is an old saying more .22 barrels have been ruined by overcleaning than by neglect.
Just becaust the bullets are lead does not mean the barrels are going to be leaded.
.22 ammo has non corrosive priming, smokeless gun powder. .22 bullets are usually waxed, lubed or coated to reduce leading. Modern methods of rifling .22 barrels usually leave a smooth surface on the lands and grooves and the barrels are not inclined to lead up.

Added: I will use aerosol brake cleaner / gun cleaner -- outdoors, after removing the grip or stock -- on guns I don't feel like disassembling (lack of familiarity or no manuals). But don't use aerosol cleaner indoors.

I have found that if I put my used patches with Hoppes #9 in the trash can in the summer, the fruit midges go away.

 

[Elkins45]

The last time I put a cleaning rod down the barrel of a 22 rifle was in the late 1970's. The actions have been cleaned a lot, but the bores don't need it.

 

[readyeddy]

One do-it-all solvent wont really do a good job.

For cleaning the bore of carbon and copper, the best I've found is Bore Tech Eliminator. It doesn't harm the barrel, and removes copper easily (need to use nylon brush). It also doesn't stink. General cleaning and wiping, I use CLP.

For lube, I like Mobil 1 on all moving parts.

Protection against corrosion requires something proven to prevent rust, like CLP or Eezox. Wipe down all metal with CLP.

Lead fouling requires elbow grease and a bronze brush wrapped by strands of Chore Boy. Use a general cleaner like CLP with the brush wrapped in Chore Boy, and about a dozen passes back and forth should remove all lead.

22 LR guns, imo, require almost no cleaning, certainly not in the bore (at least in my experience). Sometimes I'll run a soaked patch through with an Otis cable just out of curiosity and the patch is usually a light grey.