Best cleaning agents

Like most folks, I have used Hoppe's No. 9 for years, and have had no complaints. But with all the hype about M-pro 7, I sprung for an expensive spray bottle. Purported advantages are that it cleans better, is less toxic, and smells nice. The first thing I did was spray it on my hand and smell it, thinking how can anything beat the smell of Hoppe's. Well, it has almost no odor except perhaps a faint smell reminiscent of Armor-all and also has a similar milky appearance. First thing I attempted to clean was the powder marks on the face of a stainless cylinder. I use it with a brass brush. I did absolutely nothing, but then neither did Hoppe's. I've decided to live with those discolorations rather than use any abrasive like a Scotch-Brite. In terms of bore cleaning, it seemed similar to Hoppe's. It does strip away any lubrication. One agent I really like is Outer's Tri-Lube: it cleans and lubricates, and smells just like Hoppe's No. 9. I'd be interested in hearing about others' experiences with M-Pro 7.

Those discolorations can be polished out with Simichrome. I use eagle one wadding polish. Flitz is another. Ballistol with scotch brite.

I have various grades of Scotch Brite, green, maroon, and gray. They all remove metal, so I don't use them except for removing scratches in brushed stainless.

That is what I use on mine. Plus a brass brush. That cleans cylinder face With CLP

The new Hoppe's #9 should not be confused with the "old" Hoppe's #9. The older formula was much better than the newer formula.

I use Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner. http://www.hoppes.com/bore-cleaners/elite-gun-cleaner

I get the 32 oz bottle and use it to dip my bore patches and brushes in as well as a general carbon cleaner. It is a water based solvent that has no odor and is non-toxic. It works well and the more you use it the better it works.

...for difficult carbon stains on a stainless gun only, use a small patch of KleenBore Lead Away cloth.

https://www.amazon.com/Kleenbore-Gun-Care-Lead-Cloth/dp/B002IEIDG4

M-Pro 7 is the best cleaner I've used. If you aren't getting some residue off just let it sit for an hour and rub it off after that. I've been using it since it first came out. The salesman was doing a demonstration on guns that had already been cleaned with Hoppe's and any other cleaner. After a brush and some patches more residue came out with the MPro 7.

AzShooter1 said:

M-Pro 7 is the best cleaner I've used. If you aren't getting some residue off just let it sit for an hour and rub it off after that.

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I am going to do this right now, and I would love to be proved wrong. But my guess is that it won't work. Even their website suggest that their product will not remove powder residue on stainless. I will supply before and after photos... they will be taken 1 hour apart.

Powder residue that has been scrubbed vigorously with Hoppe's No. 9 and M-pro 7:



M-pro 7 spray on face:



Cylinder face turned upside down in bath of M-pro 7, this will sit for one hour:

I bought a 2 oz. bottle of snake oil at the flea market a few weeks ago. On sale for 50% off. Think I'll try it on my guns next time I clean 'em.

Ha! I'm beginning to think Lemon Pledge would work as well as any of these cleaners.

OK, here is about 1 hour later. I scrubbed the face vigorously with a brass brush for about 10 minutes, there is still residue, but improved. I do think if I scrubbed that long with Hoppe's I would have the same result. Bottom line is that no agent removes these powder stains by dissolving, it takes some sort of abrasion. I did follow up on this with a metal polish that removed all of it. I think from now on I'll just use the metal polish alone.

Just use lead away cloth,

Stainless it's works great,

Blue too,,, BUT IT WILL REMOVE BLUING!!! User beware :wink:

Me, I just CLP, and consider the accumulation "SEASONING", like a fine dutch oven.

Well, if Amazon reviews are to be considered, Lead Away cloth is great for stainless cylinders. I ordered some.

I've used the lead away cloth for many years. Best yet for cleaning up stainless cylinders. I wouldn't use on blued guns. Works great for cleaning up around forcing cone as well.

Lead away cloths work great, as for Hoppes #9, I use it as a cleaner and it makes for a fine cologne.

consider the accumulation "SEASONING", like a fine dutch oven

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Agree 100% :wink:

Never liked Dutch Ovens, ha!

Jimbo357mag said:

I get the 32 oz bottle and use it to dip my bore patches and brushes in as well as a general carbon cleaner.

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You might want to consider using a glass eye dropper to get solvent out of the original bottle. Could keep the 32oz bottle from getting contaminated by double-dipping. They make plastic droppers which would be eaten by any decent gun cleaning solvent.

edlmann said:

Jimbo357mag said:

I get the 32 oz bottle and use it to dip my bore patches and brushes in as well as a general carbon cleaner.

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You might want to consider using a glass eye dropper to get solvent out of the original bottle. Could keep the 32oz bottle from getting contaminated by double-dipping. They make plastic droppers which would be eaten by any decent gun cleaning solvent.

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Thanks, actually it is a 32 oz spray bottle and I pour some of it in a small glass jar to use for gun cleaning.

No contamination: I spray out of the bottle as it was designed for. I just don't think the stuff is all that it is cracked up to be.