So with the winter passing here in the next 2 months, I will be shooting my handguns a lot more. I want to stay on top of the cleaning/maintenance this year, and in preparation I plan on stocking up on a bunch of cleaners and lubes.
I've been researching a bunch of cleaners and lubes to see what people like the best. Turns out just like with everything else, some people like product A and others like product B. I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Right now I just use Hoppes #9 solvent for bore/breach cleaning, then run Shooter's choice FP-10 through the bore for protection in addition to using it as my main lubricant. I know for my oil needs that FP-10 is great and I don't really need to replace this product.
However, what I do need is a good product for metal conditioning. In other words some type of CLP product that can clean the bore and breach area as good or better than Hoppes #9, but will also protect it from corrosion and rust, and condition the bore so that the following clean-ups are that much easier. It doesn't need to have the best lubricating properties, because I already go to FP-10 for that. But in the event that any oil dries up over time, it still needs to be able to protect the gun from rust.
I've never tried Break Free - CLP. Everyone swears by it, although some people say a product called Eezox is better for rust/corrosion resistance. Are these products good at removing metal fouling from the barrel and chamber areas like a good solvent? Also, do these products provide adequate lubrication to use on trigger mechanisms and other small rotating parts, or should I stick with a small drop of oil for that? And about the barrel bore... is it smart to do a final run-through of a CLP product and leave it, or is a coat of oil afterwards still the best thing?
I've looked at the Hoppes Elite Cleaner and Bore Gel (which are the same thing), and this looks like something I'd be interested in. However, they only claim to clean and "condition" the bore, not necessarily protect it from rust. I'm wondering if there's a real difference between this and the Hoppes #9 solvent I already use. The M-Pro 7 line of cleaners and lubes are supposed to be the same formulas as Hoppes, but they have a CLP product that Hoppes doesn't offer. Could this be what I'm looking for?
Lastly, is Break Free CLP a "dry" or "wet" product? I really want to try the stuff, but I live in an apartment with roommates so the only place I can use it is in my bedroom. This doesn't seem like a good idea considering it is an aerosol spray. From what it seems you are supposed to basically hose down any parts with the stuff until they are clean. I imagine it working almost like an aerosol break-cleaner product. I don't want to breathe in carcinogens in a poorly ventilated area either.
As far as a grease goes, is it smart to use grease anywhere on my guns? Perhaps on the slide rails of my 1911s? Are there any other areas where grease is preferred, like barrel lugs? I am aware that grease stays put better than oil does, but I don't want anything that is thick or would cake up over time. Any suggestions for a light grease product?
I know that was a lot to cover, but I'm really trying to find some good products here. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated..thanks! - CP
I've been researching a bunch of cleaners and lubes to see what people like the best. Turns out just like with everything else, some people like product A and others like product B. I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Right now I just use Hoppes #9 solvent for bore/breach cleaning, then run Shooter's choice FP-10 through the bore for protection in addition to using it as my main lubricant. I know for my oil needs that FP-10 is great and I don't really need to replace this product.
However, what I do need is a good product for metal conditioning. In other words some type of CLP product that can clean the bore and breach area as good or better than Hoppes #9, but will also protect it from corrosion and rust, and condition the bore so that the following clean-ups are that much easier. It doesn't need to have the best lubricating properties, because I already go to FP-10 for that. But in the event that any oil dries up over time, it still needs to be able to protect the gun from rust.
I've never tried Break Free - CLP. Everyone swears by it, although some people say a product called Eezox is better for rust/corrosion resistance. Are these products good at removing metal fouling from the barrel and chamber areas like a good solvent? Also, do these products provide adequate lubrication to use on trigger mechanisms and other small rotating parts, or should I stick with a small drop of oil for that? And about the barrel bore... is it smart to do a final run-through of a CLP product and leave it, or is a coat of oil afterwards still the best thing?
I've looked at the Hoppes Elite Cleaner and Bore Gel (which are the same thing), and this looks like something I'd be interested in. However, they only claim to clean and "condition" the bore, not necessarily protect it from rust. I'm wondering if there's a real difference between this and the Hoppes #9 solvent I already use. The M-Pro 7 line of cleaners and lubes are supposed to be the same formulas as Hoppes, but they have a CLP product that Hoppes doesn't offer. Could this be what I'm looking for?
Lastly, is Break Free CLP a "dry" or "wet" product? I really want to try the stuff, but I live in an apartment with roommates so the only place I can use it is in my bedroom. This doesn't seem like a good idea considering it is an aerosol spray. From what it seems you are supposed to basically hose down any parts with the stuff until they are clean. I imagine it working almost like an aerosol break-cleaner product. I don't want to breathe in carcinogens in a poorly ventilated area either.
As far as a grease goes, is it smart to use grease anywhere on my guns? Perhaps on the slide rails of my 1911s? Are there any other areas where grease is preferred, like barrel lugs? I am aware that grease stays put better than oil does, but I don't want anything that is thick or would cake up over time. Any suggestions for a light grease product?
I know that was a lot to cover, but I'm really trying to find some good products here. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated..thanks! - CP
