DaveInTexas

1. Cleaning solvents. Can I use something other than Hoppes to clean with?
Seems like I am getting an allergy to it.
I have plenty of paint thinner around, would that hurt?


2. Oiling the barrel. I have not been oiling the barrel because 2 folks mentioned how excess oil can cause a bulge ahead of the bullet and distort it. So I didn't know if that meant no oil, or very light oil, or special oil or?

CopperKnight

Dave, check out the couple of threads on Gunzilla. I have come to like the stuff and it really does clean well.

Oiling the barrel is fine, just be sure it is left light and not sloppy wet and it will be OK.

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Bart

There are many other brands of solvent you may use. I wouldn't recommend paint thinner. Oil the barrel very lightly.

TheShadow

Been in the auto body field since the mid 70's and the first time I smelled Hoppes bore solvent... Smells exactly like Acrylic Enamel reducer

But I wouldn't use Hoppes as a additive for PPG Deltron or for that matter use Acrylic enamel reducer on my guns.

I use Militec-1 on all my guns but use a very lite coat of Remoil (thinner) on a patch for inside the barrels YMMV

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Ram Rod

I'll second the Gunzilla....I can't say enough about it. Very light oil in the barrel. I would avoid paint thinner all together.

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MinistrMalic

I clean with Break Free CLP and love it. Spray everywhere, allow to penetrate, scrub any buildup away, wipe it down and you're good to go.

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orangevol

One of the easiest cleaners to use is automotive brake cleaner. I buy the generic brand from Walmart or Autozone, ($2.50 - $3.00) and use it on all my metal gun parts like the slide and barrel. I use it sparingly on the polymer frames. Compare the contents to "gun blaster" type products, ($10 - $12 a can). It's the same stuff!

It will remove all lubricant so you will have to re-lube after everything is clean. Sometimes it will leave a white residue on the metal which comes off easily with a quick wipe of WD-40 or other light oil.

My final step...I always wipe the exterior of my guns with a clean rag dipped in rubbing alcohol after all the cleaning is done. This removes all traces of solvents and oils that can affect gripping the gun when drawn from my holster. This also makes my Hogue slip-on grips feel tacky again.

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Rugergirl

I ordered the Blue Wonder cleaning kit and I love it.
First I spray the gun down with the Fast Blast and let it sit a few minutes.
I follow with the bore brush and the gel cleaner, about 10 strokes in the barrel and each cylinder. I let that soak for about 10 minutes and follow with the patches. Most of the time 2 or 3 patches is enough to get every last trace of yuck out and the third patch is clean.
I spray the next patch lightly with the lubricant and run it through the barrel and cylinders.
The final touch is a clean patch sprayed with the lube and a light wipe and buff, and it gun is spotless.
I've tried many other brands and never found anything that gets a gun as clean as the Blue Wonder, and No Odor, no smell, nothing.
I first tested it on my S&W Model 36, after it was already clean(or so I thought) and cleaned it with the gel. I was floored to see what came out of a barrel that had already been cleaned until the last patch came out perfectly clean. The Blue Wonder removed a lot of stuff that CLP didn't even loosen.

Home Page Blue Wonder Gun Care Products - Cleaner, Bluing and Protection

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automatic slim

Blue Wonder cleans incredibly well and does all the work by chemical action. Really good stuff.
Oiling the barrel, just leave a very thin film of oil in the barrel. If the gun is stainless, it probably doesn't even need that.
Be sure and clean in a well ventalated area, or better yet, outside weather permitting.

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meester

Prolix is another all-in-one, like Gunzilla. When I run out of Prolix, I'll try whatever's new at that point (probably 2011).