Cleaning solvent

[monotonous_iterancy]

Last night I was cleaning my rifle, and ran out of solvent. I've been using Outers Nitro Solvent. I went to Wal-Mart, and saw that they had several options.

A can of "Safariland Break Free Powder Blast"

A smaller can of "Break Free CLP"

A small jar of "Hoppe's 9 solvent"

and an even smaller spray bottle of "Hoppe's Elite gun cleaner"

So which is the best? Should I get one of those, or hold out until tomorrow and see what my local store has?

 

[hso]

A mixture of transmission fluid and WD40 works pretty well.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know.

Powder Blast sounds like spray solvent?
You don't want that.

CLP is "Cleans, Lubes, Protects", and it is issued by the military.


I have used Hoppes #9 Nitro Powder Solvent since I was 6 years old in 1956 cleaning my BB gun.
Still works for me so no reason to change.

rc

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

If I got "CLP", does that mean that I wouldn't have to use oil? I've been using Rem Oil with Teflon.

 

[bigfatdave]

don't overthink it, just get something that works and doesn't smell too offensive to you and the people you live with

 

[rajb123]

...non-clorinated brake cleaner... this is sold at auto parts stores.

 

[Texan Scott]

I've always used Hoppe's 9 as a civilian. (Yes, this might mean i don't know what i'm missing, but i've always been happy with it.)

Also, if you use it as aftershave, and meet a woman who finds the smell intoxicating, consider keeping her.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

Thanks all, I went with Hoppe's 9.

 

[Mr.]

personally crazy about CLP. a can goes a strangely long way. not to mention to 100s of other uses I have forund for it. ever cleaned your windows with gun cleaner? or am I the only weird guy....

 

[Inazone]

I used to loathe cleaning my guns, mostly out of laziness or paranoia that (based on past experience) I'd manage to lose screws or springs during the stripping process. Now, I've been using Gun Scrubber after every range visit and then applying some Hoppe's oil the next day. When I decide it's time for a "real" cleaning, I use the cleaning solution in whatever all-in-one cleaning kit I found on sale most recently. So far, this method has served me well.

 

[Bovice]

I much prefer hoppes #9 to CLP for cleaning. CLP has lubricative properties and it makes the whole gun into a greaseball mess. Just keep an eye out for jacket fouling, you will need a copper solvent for that. Just make sure that if you use copper solvent, follow it up with regular solvent and oil after 10-15 minutes. You don't want copper solvent left behind.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Look up Ed's Red and mix up your own batch, will last for a while.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Hoppes and CLP are great. Ed's Red is cheap to make in bulk and if you have a really dirty gun its a timesaver.