How to Pick the Best Gun Cleaning Solvents in 2022

Whether you’re a hunter, military man, or a just shooter, your firearm is a vital tool that you can’t afford to neglect.

If possible, it should be maintained in the best way possible. Cleaning your gun is one of the best ways to ensure that it stays in good condition and serves you for a lifetime.

Besides, cleaning your gun regularly ensures high performance and increases its accuracy, efficiency, and safety.

When used for a while, guns can attract rust, dust, and other debris that can cause them to malfunction.

Fortunately, cleaning your gun is super easy and doesn’t require any special skills. With the right gun oil and solvents, you’ve everything you need to get started.

But since I understand how challenging it can be to find the right gun solvent, we’ve prepared this guide for you.

How To choose Best Gun Cleaning Solvents Buying Guide.

When it comes to cleaning a firearm, not every solvent will meet your needs. Therefore, it’s essential to take some time and understand the specific features that you’re looking for in a cleaning solvent before investing in one.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the key elements to keep an eye on when identifying the best gun cleaning kit or solvents.

Versatility

While a cleaning solvent can have great features, it’s a waste if it’s not compatible with your gun. Therefore, it’s crucial to find out the types of firearms a solvent can be used on before buying one.

Most solvents work with a variety of guns. Besides, a proper cleaning solvent should be used in various materials such as wood, metal, leather, and plastic. Please note that using the wrong solvent on your gun can damage your gun.

Multi-Purpose

While you can invest in a basic shotgun cleaning kit, I would recommend investing in a solvent that can be used for various tasks.

Besides saving you money, a multi-purpose rifle cleaning kit can be used to clean, lubricate, and protect your gun from future damage all at once.

Solvent types

There are four types of gun cleaning solvents: foaming solvents, CLP cleaner, aerosol sprays, and liquid solvents.

It’s therefore upon you to decide which form works the best for you. Each option offers a specific cleaning solution, such as

Forming solvents – this type of solvents is easy to apply. They are best for removing build-up residue in your gun.

Aerosol sprays – Best for removing dust, dirt, debris, and built-up residues in various components. Best for cleaning micro areas of the gun that are hard to reach.

CLP cleaners – Besides cleaning rifles, CLP cleaners are perfect for lubricating and protecting firearms against friction and corrosion.

Liquid solvents – Best for eliminating lead, carbon, and copper residues in your gun.

Portability

The issue of portability is determined by whether the gun cleaner has accessories or not. If you buy a gun cleaner kit, it should be hassle-free to carry around.

Climate

Your climate condition is another crucial factor that you can’t ignore. If you work in extreme weather conditions, you must make sure that the solvent you use can withstand the harsh conditions without drying, losing viscosity, or stiffen.

Safe

Your safety is another crucial feature to consider. A suitable solvent should be non-toxic and non-hazardous so that it doesn’t cause health issues to anyone. If possible, it should also be biodegradable, making it safe for the environment.

Design

The design of the solvent should be safe and straightforward to use. If possible, it should feature protective features such as a childproof cap to prevent access to children. Also, it should come with an applicator or needle-like nozzle for easy application of the solvent.

Quantity

Unless you want to go shopping now and then, then it’s vital to ensure that the quantity of the solvents that you’re buying will serve you for a while.

If you have more than one gun or accessories, I’d recommend investing in a much higher quantity. Buying large will not only save you the hassle of shopping regularly, but it will also save you money in the long run.

Cost

When it comes to the budget, I would recommend going for the cheapest solvent in the market. While there are some quality and affordable solvents, some cheap solvents are cheap in quality.

As well, an expensive solvent doesn’t mean its quality. You should look for a product that offers good value for your money.

 TOP 9 Best Gun Cleaning Solvents Reviews in 2022.

With hundreds of gun cleaning products in the market all claiming to be the best, it’s essential to spend some time and find out what type of solvent you’re looking for and the right solvent that meets your needs.

The good news is that we’ve researched the best gun cleaning solvents for you. Yours is just to identify the one that meets your needs.

To help you choose the best gun cleaning solvents, this guide walks you through the top 9 gun cleaning solvents that offer real value for your money.

Even better, we’ve added a comprehensive buying guide to guide you through the process of identifying the right solvents based on your specific needs and preferences.

Comparison Of Best Gun Cleaning Solvents -in 2022

1. HOPPE’S No. 9 Gun Cleaner

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With a reputation of over 100 years, nothing beats this HOPPE’S No 9 Gun cleaner. It’s also trusted by World Champions and ambassadors such as Missy Gilliland, Lena Miculek, Jessie Harrison, and John Scouten.

Another advantage of HOPPE’S NO.9 is that it can be used with any rifle or gun. Whether it’s an AK-47, revolver, or deer rifle, this cleaner can efficiently get the work done.

Besides cleaning, it protects your gun against damage by preventing it, making sure it’s in peak condition & performance.

The solvent penetrates deeply and rapidly, loosening any hardened debris that can cause wear and tear to your gun. You will also like the mild and fresh scent of this solvent. The childproof cap is another addition that reduces the risk of children accessing the solvent.

2. Break-Free CLP-2 Cleaner.

Break-Free CLP cleaner is another useful option that you can consider. The formula is specially designed to penetrate through the gun’s tiniest surfaces, lifting any residue build-up in the weapon.

Besides, its premium lubricating oil film reduces the adhesion of grit, sand, or any other particles that encourages wear and malfunctioning.

This solvent also works perfectly in extreme environments. It won’t stiffen, dry out or lose viscosity when exposed to harsh environments such as heat, humidity, cold, salt, and dirt.

So, if you work under extreme weather conditions, this solvent will serve you well. It can work perfectly in temperatures – 65F to +475F.

It’s also worth noting that this solvent comes with corrosion inhibitors to prevent rust and tear formation. The unique boundary film prevents moisture and other contaminants from attacking the metal surfaces.

3. CLP by Sage Braker

Designed with the military in mind, this CLP by Sage & Braker is another high-quality yet effective gun solvent. This solvent comes with excellent gun cleaning ability.

Unlike other gun solvents, this solvent doesn’t leave an oily coating on your gun. Besides, the solvent is non-toxic and biodegradable, so that you can use it with confidence.

The solvent is highly penetrable and can infiltrate even in micro surfaces, providing you with a more in-depth cleaning of lead, copper, and carbon fouling.

As well, the solvent can protect your gun from rust and corrosion. Even more, it offers contamination management by reducing static when using the weapon.

The solvent also enhances an entire burn of the powder residue, thereby creating a more consistent FPS for more accurate shots.

4. Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil, Aerosol Spray

If you’re looking for a versatile solvent that can be used on any type of gun, then you should certainly get this Ballistol Multi-Purpose spray. Besides cleaning your gun perfectly, this spray leaves behind a protective residue to protect against future damage.

This spray penetrates deeply into any cracks and fissures, thereby loosening dust, dirt, and any stuck-on grime that could have formed on your gun.

Besides, it’s designed to lubricate the gun, leaving your gun looking new and makes sure it lasts for a lifetime. The spray formula of this solvent makes it easy to apply, thus avoiding wastage. If used regularly, it reduces the need to scrape or brush the chambers and barrels now and then.

It’s also worth noting that this spray emulsifies and is thus ideal for various materials, including wood and leather.

When used on such materials, a layer forms on the surface, thus protecting against water damage and mold growth. For best protection, you should spray at least once every month.

5. Slip 2000 EWL 4oz

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This Slip 2000 EWL is another ideal option worth investing in. Unlike traditional gun lubricates, this solvent stays wet for 5 times longer, thus reducing friction and increasing the gun’s lifespan.

Another fantastic feature of this solvent is that it doesn’t attract dirt, sand, carbon, lead, and dust, so you won’t have to worry about brushing debris from your gun regularly.

Besides, this solvent protects your gun from wear and corrosion. Thanks to the non-toxic and non-Hazardous nature of this solvent, it’s safe for you and the environment around you.

It’s also worth noting that this solvent works well with various materials, including plastic, wood, plastic, and metals. As well, it can clean on any part of the gun.

6. Gun oil by Lucas

If the cleaner’s scent is a concern to you, you should invest in this Gun oil by Lucas. Besides being odorless, this cleaner can be used to clean any part of the gun as well as other tools such as hinges and locks.

When applied to the gun, the oil stays longer, making the firearm smooth and easy to clean. Besides, you can use it on your pistol, AR, or long rifle. Apart from cleaning, this oil prevents overheating and jamming in larger caliber rifles.

It’s worth noting that this solvent works best when used as a lubricant. When used on the gun, it doesn’t evaporate quickly, thus protecting it from water damage and extreme weather conditions. The bottle is easy to squeeze, making it easy to apply to the gun.

7. Pro-Shot 1-Ounce Needle Oiler

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This Pro-Shot Needle Oiler is an excellent universal gun cleaning kit. When it comes to precision, this Pro-Shot doesn’t disappoint. This solvent is red, making it easy to target on the right spot.

Thanks to the Needle feature, it is easy to reach and clean cracks and micro spots in your gun. This ensures thorough cleaning and lubrication of your gun components, thereby extending your gun’s lifespan and functionality.

To preserve your gun’s metal moving components for long, this solvent is designed with a premium synthetic base with anti-wear, anti-oxidants, and anti-corrosion properties. Furthermore, this solvent works perfectly in both hot and cold conditions (-75° to 450°F).

8. Tetra Gun Grease

This is yet another amazing option worth considering when looking for a gun cleaner. While it’s classified as a cleaner, this Tetra gun grease is best used as a lubricant if you’re planning to store your gun for a while. Regular use of grease could harden your gun, reducing its efficiency over time.

If you are troubled about the color, this gun grease is colorless, so you just rub it on your gun. The only downside about this grease is that it comes with a strong odor, which might be an issue for some people.

The grease is also easy to apply and penetrates quickly to the gun’s components. Besides, it reduces friction, corrosion, and wear. If you use this lubrication for storage, make sure you degrease and clean the gun before using it.

9. HOPPE’S No. 9 Synthetic Oil

This HOPPE’S No. 9 is a versatile option every gun user would love to have in their rifle cleaning kit. This oil is tested and designed to withstand tough situations and environments.

Besides offering deep cleaning to all gun components, this oil can be used as a lubricant, thereby improving the gun’s efficiency, performance, and lifespan.

The moving parts of the fun operate smoothly, thus increasing your gun’s accuracy and reducing the risk of malfunctioning.

Even better, lubricating your gun with this Hoppe’s oil reduces friction, thus preventing water and tear.

Besides, this oil leaves a layer on the gun’s component, acting like a protective layer against moisture and corrosion. Similarly, you can use this oil for other mechanical purposes, such as lubricating fishing reels.

Conclusion

Cleaning and lubricating your gun regularly ensures that your rifle operates efficiently and serves you for longer. If your gun is neglected, dust and debris may build up inside, causing it to malfunction or tear down quickly.

With the list of the 9 best gun cleaning solvents, it’s now upon you to go through the list and find out which products work best with your gun.

All the cleaners we’ve discussed above are highly reputable, affordable, and safe to use. Besides, most of them can be used with any type of rifle, so you’re not limited to a specific product.

I would also recommend that you go through the buying guide section and use the tips we’ve provided to determine the best gun cleaning solvents based on your specific needs.

References

1. Gun Safety: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_safety
2. Gun Safety With Kids in the House: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/gun-safety-kids
3. Gun Safety Guidelines: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/police/safety-information/gun-safety