Without proper cleaning, dust, lead, fouling, corrosion, or loosening abrasive debris could cause your firearm to fail when you need it most. Well, regular cleaning of your gun with gun cleaning solvents or oils, cleaning kit, bore cleaning rod, cleaning patches, etc. won’t affect your gun performance and extend the lifespan of the firearms.
We ranked them on the basis of features of the product such as penetration, viscosity, odor, compatibility, etc., manufacturer’s reputation, price, and most importantly user feedback. If you are choosing from this list then you can rest assured that you are purchasing the best one for your firearms.
Overview of 6 Best Gun Cleaning Solvent
1. Hoppes 9 Elite Gun Cleaning Solvent
High Penetration
2. Ballistol Aerosol Gun Cleaning Solvent
Eco-friendly
3. Break-Free CLP-4 Gun Cleaning Solvent
High Viscosity
4. Clenzoil Gun Cleaning Oil Spray
Good Scent
5. Mossy Oak Gun Cleaning Solvent
Multi-Purpose Oil
6. Extreme Force Gun Protector Oil
Best Protector Lube
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1. Hoppes 9 Elite Gun Cleaning Solvent
High Penetration
★Why You Choose This Gun Cleaning Oil
- Combo Pack:- Well, this gun cleaning lubricant pack comes with a gun bore cleaner, lubricating oil for firearms, fishing reels, and all mechanisms, 14.9 ml precision lubricating oil, and 30-40 gun cleaning patches for .38-.45 caliber or 9mm.
- Lubricant:- Great potent, safe, and easy-to-use gun cleaning solvent. Hoppe’s 9 formula penetrates deep and rapidly which aids in cleaning carbon lead build-up in the barrel. Moreover, the oil removes carbon fouling, and copper fouling with a copper brush and loosens abrasive debris to protect the wear and tears on your firearm. It has no harmful effect on the polymer frame and handgun parts.
- Odor or Scent:- The distinctive smell is not as strong as kerosene or gasoline. You never notice the scent from the firearms after cleaning them because the solvent is very light and easily washes off your hands. It’s highly flammable and contains kerosene, so always use it in a well-ventilated area.
✔ Pros
- Worth the price
- Good cleansing formula
- Oil does not evaporate
- Easy to use
❌ Cons
- Unfilled bottles
- No cleaning rod included
This is at the top is our list, because since 1903 no gun cleaner solvent is more trusted than No.9. Moreover, this brand is trusted by ambassadors and world champions like Jessie Harrison, John Scouten, and Lena Miculek. It is a universal bore cleaner, easy to clean your revolver, deer rifle, shotgun, etc. Click on the link if you only want to purchase a gun bore cleaning solvent.
As you know a firearm is a vital part of a hunter or shooter’s life. So, your firearm deserves the best gun cleaning treatment. Moreover, it comes with 2 other lubricating oil that benefits you in other precision mechanisms and does not harden or become rancid. I highly recommend you to go with the Hoppes 9 Elite gun cleaning kit due to its quality rust-free lubricating oil and $30 under-budget price.
2. Ballistol Aerosol Gun Cleaning Solvent
Eco-friendly
★Why You Choose This Gun Cleaning Oil
- Lubricant:- This lubricant preserves, cleans, and protects your firearms, knives, wood, metal, etc. It’s slightly alkaline in nature and neutralizes the effect of sweat & skin oils. The chemical components used are white mineral oil, propane, and isohexane. In addition, it’s eco-friendly with nature, has no carcinogens, and won’t harm the environment.
- Odor or Scent:- Like others, this stuff scent is not like roses or an Irish spring, but the scent is a bit strong and not as bad as others say. Yes, it’s extremely flammable or the smell is a bit strong so use it in a well-ventilated area.
✔ Pros
- Good longevity
- Non-toxic smell
- Gives a smooth shine
- Multipurpose use
❌ Cons
- Defective tip
- Contains strong harmful chemicals
Ballistol gun cleaning solvent is in the 2nd spot in our list due to its multi-purpose use, with more than 10,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating on Amazon. In addition, the penetrating power is a little less than Hoppe’s bore cleaner. (e.g.:- Hoppe’s takes 5 drops to clean the gunpowder there Ballistol takes 7 drops). But the Ballistol is eco-friendly whereas Hoppes is not.
Spray on your firearms and let it soak for at least 30-40 seconds, due to its good penetrating quality it breaks free of pretty much anything including gunpowder. It’s non-toxic in nature and leaves a nice protective layer that preserves your firearms from corrosion. I recommend this due to its $10 low cost and it’s one of the best all-purpose gun lube and cleaners that exists.
3. Break-Free CLP-4 Gun Cleaning Solvent
High Viscosity
★Why You Choose This Gun Cleaning Oil
- Lubricant:- The viscosity of this lubricant is good as compared with Ballistol. Due to its high viscosity, it won’t dry out or stiffen up in extreme environments such as dust, cold 0r hot wind, saltwater, etc. Due to this fact, it penetrates the metal surface and lifts residue away so you can easily clean the surface. A protective layer prevents the formation of rust through moisture and other contaminants.
- Odor or Scent:- Well, it has a very mild odor as compared to Ballistol and Hoppe’s. The scent is almost like a kind of banana tangerine cleaner smell, you barely notice the odor of Break-free. Yes, it is flammable because it uses a petroleum-based solvent in it.
✔ Pros
- Protects the polished layer for a long time
- Can be used on synthetic firearms
- Extreme pressure coefficient
- Great cleansing
❌ Cons
- Difficult to get the liquid out
- The bottles may leak
The Break-Free has good viscosity as compared to Ballistol, So, due to this reason it penetrates and cleans the gunpowder a little faster than Ballistol. But it’s in the 3rd spot on our list because it is not biodegradable in nature and has fewer Amazon reviews as compared with Ballistol. This product is mostly used by Military personnel.
It contains chemicals such as petroleum-based solvents with synthetic lubricants. Due to its synthetic nature, it won’t affect the wood or synthetic materials of your firearms. The CLP stands for cleaning, lubrication, and protection. So, there is no need for any other additional gun oil for your firearms. Recommend buying this one because it is developed for the military.
4. Clenzoil Gun Cleaning Oil Spray
Good Scent
★Why You Choose This Gun Cleaning Oil
- Lubricant:- Penetrates effectively and removes dirt, oil, lead, carbon, grime, and other contaminants from the metal surface. After that, this one-step cleaner provides a thin non-greasy protective layer that prevents the formation of rust. In addition, it won’t harm the wood stocks, polymer, camo coatings, and gold inlays.
- Odor & Scent:- You can spray it confidently in your room because it smells great no matter what it actually does, but this product gives certain happiness to your mind. Yes, it is flammable and keeps away from the reach of children. It is pricey but totally worth it.
✔ Pros
- Premium standard formula
- Protects and treats the surface
- Prevents rusting
- Protects from corrosion
❌ Cons
- Non-toxic smell
- Unfilled bottles
In the early 1940s, during World War II, there is a lot of problems occurred related to firearms such as freezing or jamming. In late 1945 Clenzoil invented a perfect formula for gun prevention and later started the Clenzoil company in 1948. This is an American brand and is mostly used by the US military.
In a nutshell, it is a great quality one-step CLP gun cleaner. In addition, it works well in temperatures ranging from -65°F to 400°F. Made with highly refined petroleum components that won’t harm any metal. A little pricey due to the enchantment in its scent. Recommend buying if you want to smell great while cleaning your firearms.
5. Mossy Oak Gun Cleaning Solvent
Multi-Purpose Oil
★Why You Choose This Gun Cleaning Oil
- Lubricant:- Mossy Oak perfectly removes plastic wad, dirt, oil, copper, carbon fouling, grime, and other contaminants from the metal surface. Simultaneously it provides a thin coating layer that protects against rust and corrosion. In addition, it won’t harm the wood stocks and grip, synthetic, camo coatings, and gold inlays.
- Odor & Scent:- Yeah, you can easily spray it inside the room too, because it smells like oil but is not so strong as compared to other gun cleaning solvents. Yes, it is flammable and keeps away from the reach of children.
✔ Pros
- Safe on all kinds of base
- Can be used in every weather condition
- Prevents rusting
- Worth the price
❌ Cons
- Cheap quality nozzle
- Cap be broken
Toxey Haas founded Mossy Oak in 1986 and had the vision to take a handful of Mississippi dirt, sticks, and leaves and transform it into a brand new camouflage brand. Today, they deliver great quality products and share a unique bond with their consumers. So this one is a great solvent to clean your firearms.
Well, Mossy Oak is a great quality one-step CLP gun cleaner. Do not harm the wood stocks, polymers, gold inlays, etc. Even work in temperatures ranging between as low as -65°F and as high as 400°F. Made with highly refined petroleum components that won’t harm any metal. A great brand in the field of hunting gear so, you can easily go with this one.
6. Extreme Force Gun Protector Oil
Best Protector Lube
★Why You Choose This Gun Cleaning Oil
- Needle-Nose:- This gun cleaner has two top options, the dropper tip, and the needle nose. But the manufacturer won’t provide you with a needle-nose tip. Screw the needle nose on the dropper top and lubricate the firearms parts where the dropper is not reached.
- Lubricant:- The quality of the firearms lubricant oil is really great, it will make a protective layer on the metal surface that stays for a long time. Penetrate and spread on the metal surface easily and help you to clean up the gunpowder residue easily.
- Odor or Scent:- Well, the scent of the oil is the same as machine oil used in manufacturing plants. You can use it in a room too. Best for long-term storage products.
✔ Pros
- Multipurpose use
- Gives extra protection
- Comes with a dropper tip
- Long-lasting finish
❌ Cons
- Opening the bottle is difficult
- The needle cap does not fit
Extreme Force is a good weapons lube that stays long and prevents your firearms, fishing reels, knives, etc. from the formation of rust and reduces the cleaning time by 50%. This is one of the best gun oils to prevent rust and provide longer life to your firearms. The additives provide extreme protection from -30°F to 450°F. Recommend going with this one if you are looking for a gun oil protector for your firearms.
Conclusion:-
Well, above I listed the 6 best gun-cleaning oils or solvents that clean, lubricate, and protect your firearms. Well, all are best in the field of gun cleaner but the 6th one is only an oil protector that protects your firearms only from rust and corrosion. I will recommend you go with Hoppes or Clenzoil Gun Cleansing Oil. The rest is up to you leave in the comment below which one is best according to your area of interest and why.
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I came across this article while researching break-ins and cleaning a rifle for my father. Definitely feel this author is qualified! He has other recommendations. I have used the J-B compound for polishing, lapping, and cleaning very dirty barrels. I will be purchasing the Wipe Out Bore foam cleaner he recommends.