I'm not sure when this happened.

[Trashyshoots]

But the hecking gun cleaning supplies aisle is my favorite aisle in any given gun store. Pistols at the counters? No, not unless they have whatever unicorn pistol I want. Rifles on the rack? I don't even shoot rifles. Ammo? Ehh, depends on their .22 selection. Reloading? Maybe if I had more time. Mags, holsters, and general accessories? Pass.

But the gun cleaning aisle? I better pack a lunch, I'm going to be a while. Something I noticed while shops were decimated from covid/riots/election time, was those aisles always had stock to browse and stuff to purchase, and I was totally content.

Anyone else share this sentiment?

 

[sequins]

Not surprised as solvent is easier to produce than ammo or firearms.

 

[Skeptic13]

Sorry I don't. Give me a large bottle of Ballistol, some cleaning rods, patches and some old rags and I am completely satisfied. No need to browse the cleaning supplies isle.

 

[LiveLife]

Project Farm tested following Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectants (CLP): Clenzoil, Break Free CLP, Slip 2000, Frog Lube, Hoppe’s, Extreme Force, Hoppe’s 9 Kit, Ballistol and Fluid Film.

Testing approach took into consideration testing standards outlined in the Mil PRF 63460F and tested for: cleaning highly carbonized metal after 2 minutes of exposure to CLP and a 5-second cleaning process. Lubricating ability of CLPs tested using a lubricity tester. CLPs tested for the ability to resist rust, including after protected metal is exposed to heat. CLPs also tested for cold temperature performance at -40F.​

• 7:24 - Wear scar size (mm)
• 9:35 - Carbon cleaning
• 10:52 - Dust accumulation
• 14:15 - Corrosion on heat exposed metal
• 14:25 - Corrosion without heat exposure

 

[mshootnit]

I have browsed a gun cleaning aisle long enough that store security sent a fake shopper to monitor me.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Wait wait wait... yer sposed ta clean em? Wut fer? Just dirty em up agin tamorrer.

 

[wiscoaster]

.....Something I noticed while shops were decimated from covid/riots/election time, was those aisles always had stock to browse and stuff to purchase, and I was totally content.

Anyone else share this sentiment?

No, not here. Gun cleaning supplies totally decimated here and only in the last few months back to pre-pandemic levels. It was a real bitch for a long while.

 

[Trashyshoots]

No, not here. Gun cleaning supplies totally decimated here and only in the last few months back to pre-pandemic levels. It was a real bitch for a long while.

Wild. Here in Phoenix guns, ammo, and reloading stuff was gone, but cleaning supplies, holsters, magazines and such were completely stocked.

 

[Reloadron]

Between solvents, oils and aerosol scrub stuff along with rods and patches I have a lifetime supply. I can be found at the gun counter or reloading components.

Ron

 

[herrwalther]

I look at everything gun related when I am in a store. Doesn't matter if I am in Wal-Mart and they have a few shelves or if I am in Bass Pro and they have an entire floor devoted to gun stuff. I usually don't buy anything unless it is something I really need right then. I just look to see what's new in the gun world and how much it is being sold for. I have been *set* on my cleaning kit and routine for about a decade. But I still peruse those shelves to see what cleaners and accessories are around.

 

[Obturation]

No.
Imo specific gun cleaning tools & solvents/oils are a huge ripoff. Don't get me wrong, I keep some hoppes around and sometimes some clp but generally I just use brake clean and motor oil or trans fluid. A brass rod from the hardware store, some copper choreboy , qtips, paper towels, toothpicks - just stuff you can get at Wal-Mart . I've bought all the brushes and jags ect over the years, they don't do a single thing that generic off the shelf items can't . I don't shoot many jacketed bullets so I don't use copper remover. There's just nothing I've found that works better than products not packaged for gun cleaning. My guns get cleaned regularly and I promise no one can tell my clean gun from someone that drenches theirs in froglube and scrubs with whatever whiz bang product is hot today.

 

[Meeks36]

Break free clp, hopes, and alcohol and I’m good to as far as cleaning goes. Can cut old shirts up for patches. No need to buy half the store.

 

[johnjohn]

Older folks (me) can remember when no one bought patches (old flannel shirts) and used stuff like 3inone oil. And looking at the number of guns over th century mark, it must have worked pretty good.

 

[starnbar]

If you really want to clean something get some AV gas if it don't come off with that it ain't coming off

 

[hso]

Not surprised as solvent is easier to produce than ammo or firearms.

And people weren't clamoring for gloried carb cleaner and transmission fluid.

 

[Zerodefect]

Gun cleaning was the most disappointing aspect of this "hobby".

I wanted to make a real nice tool box, good cleaner selection, etc. Bah, none of it is needed.

CLP for barrels, clean the rest with oil and an olde sock. I have a nice cleaning rod for rifles, that's it.

 

[gobsauce]

Older folks (me) can remember when no one bought patches (old flannel shirts) and used stuff like 3inone oil. And looking at the number of guns over th century mark, it must have worked pretty good.

That's what I do, at only a couple decades old.

 

[denton]

A 50/50 mixture of 10% janitorial ammonia and cheap liquid detergent makes something very similar to Sweet's 7.62, about $.25 instead of $8. Removes copper very well.

 

[Archie]

Wait wait wait... yer sposed ta clean em? Wut fer? Just dirty em up agin tamorrer.

According to one source - and it may have been heavily seasoned with sarcasm - the older English (Pukka Sahib) manner of cleaning a hunting rifle was to instruct the gun bearer that the 'gun' (rifle) be externally dusted and then well oiled (read 'slathered'). This in the days of huge bores, black powder and corrosive primers.

 

[Jim Watson]

John Taylor recommended the sahib clean his own rifle with water or other aqueous fluid against corrosive priming.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Sorry I don't. Give me a large bottle of Ballistol, some cleaning rods, patches and some old rags and I am completely satisfied. No need to browse the cleaning supplies isle.

The old timers would use water (and sometimes there own urine) to clean with twigs, bits of linen, etc. and animal fat to lubricate and protect the metal. A favorite was a bear’s grease or a sperm whale’s oil for the job.

I see all these modern gadgets and cleaning poisons and just shake my weary old head. The old timers knew a thing or two and were not into getting fleeced for the latest and greatest like the young folks these days.

 

[wiscoaster]

.....The old timers knew a thing or two and were not into getting fleeced for the latest and greatest like the young folks these days.

Ha ha!! Apparently you're immune to all the TV ads for "natural" wonder products targeted to fleecing old timers thinking those products will make them healthier, stronger, and live forever. There must be plenty of old timers buying that stuff or they wouldn't keep advertising it.

 

[Scooter22]

I'm on the simple is better side. Hoppes #9, CLP(that was given to me), some generic Windex(for corrosive ammo), and G96 complete gun care spray. I have old bottles of Shooters Choice and Ed,s Red for a stronger stink but hardly need them. I have a lot of vintage used rifles that were cleaned with what I have. Worked then, works now. Old saying. "More guns were worn out from cleaning than shooting". I believe that.

 

[DustyGmt]

The couple places I go are very well stocked as far as I've seen, I really like Slip products but I have stocked up on solvent, lubes and grease for the end times. My great, great, great grandkids grandkids will have plenty of it.

I just bought different stuff periodically and wound up with a bunch, I didn't purposefully stock up but at the rate I use these supplies was such that I just ended up with an excess, plus I found a great deal on a half gallon of Hoppes 9 in addition to the bottles I already had.

If you're low on solvent or lube there are a number of regular household products that will get you by. Off the top Kero is a good cleaner and Mobil 1 is a decent lube, not an excellent protectant. But, if you come up dry at the sporting goods you can go to auto zone and get basically all the same things, sometimes better and sometimes cheaper. Auto parts stores carry Lucas lubricants, Superlube, Lubriplate, Brake Cleaner Aerosols, etc.....

 

[buck460XVR]

Shortages of ammo and reloading supplies has meant folks shoot a lot less....thus they need to clean their firearms less. But less ammo and reloading supplies means folks shoot less, so they are left with more time to clean their firearms. Kinda a Catch-.22.