Topic: The Best Gun Cleaning Solvents for 2022 (Read 40 times)
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Why It Made the Cut
Break Free’s CLP lives up to its name and keeps your gun in working order even when you neglect it.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Break Free’s CLP is another gun cleaning solvent that had a spot on my workbench. It works admirably as a CLP (cleaner, lubricator, and protectant) and revives even the most neglected guns. Customers would bring in a firearm with a gummed-up action. I’d spray this on the slide, lever, bolt carrier, etc. and let it sit while the customer shopped for ammo. Within minutes, the action would (drumroll) break free.
This multipurpose cleaner helps clean and protect against future build-up, and it keeps your firearms in working order. I’m a huge fan of using this as a conditioner for your gun’s outer surfaces, because it hits the sweet spot when it co*es to viscosity, which penetrates for lasting protection, but it doesn’t run or linger on the surface like other products. For an all-in-one option, you can’t go wrong with Break Free CLP.
Why It Made the Cut
FrogLube is an excellent non-corrosive solvent that cuts through copper and lead fouling, but it also excels as a lubricant for guns that see heavy use (and cleaning).
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If non-toxic or non-corrosive is your biggest priority for a two-in-one solvent and lube, you should consider FrogLube Extreme. Just understand that it co*es with a few caveats. While this product does an admirable job of removing copper and lead fouling while keeping your gun parts lubed, it requires precise application. If you leave any excess on your gun parts, FrogLube will gum-up your action. I also wouldn’t reco*mend using this as a protectant for those safe queens you only break out on special occasions. FrogLube Extreme works best for guns that see heavy use and require routine maintenance. So, if you have an AR or pistol that gets serious range time every month, I wouldn’t hesitate to use FrogLube Extreme on them.
If it seems like a high maintenance product, that’s because it is. But the non-toxic properties co*e with tradeoffs. If you don’t want the hassle that co*es with this lubricant-solvent co*bo, but still need something green, FrogLube’s regular gun cleaning solvent works great too.
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Why It Made the Cut
This solvent is great for removing carbon fouling on bolts, slides, actions, and other gun parts that often put you in the most contact with the solvents themselves. A non-toxic solvent that allows you to do general cleaning without worrying about exposure or safe disposal is a valuable asset.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
This general-use solvent provides a non-toxic and non-corrosive option for cleaning carbon fouling out of guns. It’s especially valuable because tasks such as cleaning bolts, receivers, slides, and other gun parts put the user in hands-on contact with harsh solvents, and this is a much safer option.
With the spray-bottle applicator, you can spray directly on the parts that need cleaning without worrying about damage to synthetic parts. Use it as any other solvent and brush or wipe away the fouling. Excess solvent will evaporate without leaving any sticky residue.
I found it especially handy for cleaning pistol parts as well as AR receivers and bolt carrier group parts. It’s not a great bore cleaner, but worth having around for the tasks that require you to get hands-on. – OL Staff Writer, Tyler Freel
Why It Made the Cut
Barnes CR-10 is a heavy-duty solvent specifically designed to cut through copper fouling and residue.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Barnes CR-10 is one of the best gun cleaning solvents for removing copper fouling. This aggressive ammonia based solvent quickly breaks down and loosens fouling left by copper or copper coated ammunition, but it also co*es with an aggressive smell. Because this solvent is so harsh, I wouldn’t leave it on as long as others before wiping it from the bore. For best results, you should apply a small layer of oil after cleaning with CR-10 and avoid getting it on your old wooden stocks.
Why It Made the Cut
Ballistol’s versatile spray CLP makes it easy to apply this cleaner to your gun and much more, and it’s non-toxic.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Most gun cleaning solvents offer spray options, so you can probably just buy your preferred product in a spray bottle. But if you’re insistent on a classic spray can, Ballistol is the way to go. Like a lot of multipurpose gun cleaners, Ballistol does an adequate job of cleaning, lubricating, and preventing future corrosion, but it doesn’t really excel at any of them. It works well enough for removing copper and lead fouling from your gun bore, but there are other products I would use before Ballistol for that specific purpose. Still, its convenient spray applicator and the fact that it’s widely available makes it a great option if you want an all-in-one cleaner, especially if you don’t have many guns or shoot them often. Because it’s a great all-around spray for furniture and even leather goods, it does an admirable job of conditioning your wooden gun stocks and protecting them from water or moisture damage.
It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole when it co*es to cleaning your guns. You can buy specific products that excel as bore cleaners, lubricators, or oils, or you can opt for a multipurpose solvent that does an adequate job of all of them. It’s hard to go wrong with any of these options, but it’s important to have the right tool for the job, especially if your guns see a lot of action.
Gun Collection Size
If you only have a few guns, you can probably get away with an all-in-one cleaner or CLP. However, if you have a wide gun collection of the best hunting rifles, shotguns, ARs/AKs, semi-auto pistols, and so on, you would be wise to invest in one of the best gun cleaning kits and a variety of products that more specifically fit the needs of each firearm.
Non-Toxic
Do you prioritize non-toxic or corrosive products? If so, there are plenty of great options. Just know that some of them, like FrogLube Extreme, might require a bit more maintenance on your firearms than products with corrosive properties.
Purpose
While CLP products cover most of your cleaning needs, there are some specifically designated as solvents, oils, or lubes. It’s important to know that these serve different functions. If you’re getting ready to clean your bolt-action’s bore, you’ll want a solvent like Hoppe’s No. 9. When you need to make sure your AR runs like clockwork, applying a lubricant to the bolt carrier groups can ensure that you don’t have a misfire. For those collectibles or family heirlooms in the gun safe, coating the outer parts of your guns with an oil will keep them shining and protected from rust or moisture.
It definitely doesn’t hurt to clean your gun after every use, but if you’re only putting a few rounds through it, it might not be necessary to do a deep clean. Of course, how many rounds you fire through it, the type of ammo, and shooting conditions might require a more extensive cleaning.
It’s good practice to oil your gun barrel to prevent damage from corrosion or exposure to the elements, especially when it co*es to hunting rifles.
While WD40 works for cleaning guns in a pinch, I wouldn’t reco*mend using it as part of your cleaning regimen. There are too many products that work better than WD40 and are designed specifically for cleaning guns.
For this review, I relied on years of experience working at a gun shop. I’ve also cleaned my own guns with most of these solvents, and I know how well they remove fouling and whether or not they leave adequate or excessive coatings over the outer parts of the gun.
The best gun cleaning solvents should do more than clean: they should keep your firearms functioning in proper order. And these products are an easy way to ensure the money you invest in your hunting or shooting goes a long way.
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