Ballistol

[SubicWarrior1988]

I recently started using Ballistol and to say I'm impressed would be an understatement. I've been a longtime advocate of Break Free CLP as that was the standard product of the military. Before that, Grandpa always used solvent and gun oil, in the vein of Hoppes #9. These two methods have been my maintenance program for years. I was at the range and looking around when I see a flyer for BALLISTOL. Hmmm, what is this? Turns out that it was developed for the German Soldiers to maintain their weapons, the wooden stocks of their rifles, their leather boots and treat wounds.....yes, I said it, treat wounds.

I used it this past weekend with wonderful results, warning, it smells like a bad batch of black licorice, however, it is biodegradable and non toxicthrough skin contact (you can't drink it). A solvent that doesn't cause long term health concerns is really amazing to me and was worth the look. It's safe to use on the wood stocks and if it gets on the polymer frames of my handguns, no worries.

Just a heads up, this is a superior way to clean your guns and can truly be a one solution answer to cleaning, lube and protect from corrosion. You may still need to do the periodic copper cleaning for general maintenance, but for everyday cleaning uses, BALLISTOL is amazing.

I'm not a Ballistol rep either, just an avid shooter.

If you wanna do some research, go to youtube and type in ballistol.

 

[Josh Ward]

Been using it for a long time. Good stuff!!

Clean everything with it, I lube just about everything except my frame/slide rails (i use slideglide).

 

[SubicWarrior1988]

Yes, great point about the slide rails. I may try the slide glide myself and see how it goes. It would be great to see how my Kel Tec likes it.

 

[JetGirl]

I recently started using Ballistol and to say I'm impressed would be an understatement. I've been a longtime advocate of Break Free CLP as that was the standard product of the military. Before that, Grandpa always used solvent and gun oil, in the vein of Hoppes #9. These two methods have been my maintenance program for years. I was at the range and looking around when I see a flyer for BALLISTOL. Hmmm, what is this? Turns out that it was developed for the German Soldiers to maintain their weapons, the wooden stocks of their rifles, their leather boots and treat wounds.....yes, I said it, treat wounds.

I used it this past weekend with wonderful results, warning, it smells like a bad batch of black licorice, however, it is biodegradable and non toxicthrough skin contact (you can't drink it). A solvent that doesn't cause long term health concerns is really amazing to me and was worth the look. It's safe to use on the wood stocks and if it gets on the polymer frames of my handguns, no worries.

Just a heads up, this is a superior way to clean your guns and can truly be a one solution answer to cleaning, lube and protect from corrosion. You may still need to do the periodic copper cleaning for general maintenance, but for everyday cleaning uses, BALLISTOL is amazing.

I'm not a Ballistol rep either, just an avid shooter.

If you wanna do some research, go to youtube and type in ballistol.

I got hooked on it because that's what PatchWorm's pre-soaked patches were saturated with when I bought the kit.
My daughter says it smells like licorice and bananas.

 

[DocBoCook]

love the stuff, don't know where to find it here though

 

[JetGirl]

love the stuff, don't know where to find it here though

I buy mine at different gun shows. Just look around the tables with all the cleaning supplies.

 

[Josh Ward]

I usually tag a bottle or 2 on my midway orders....

 

[rcjack86]

I just bought some at my local gun store as well. A little leaked out, my car reeks. But It works great on my 1911.

 

[Serial Crusher]

It's not just non-toxic, it's antiseptic. I read a few places on the web where it was used as a folk remedy, a spoonful at a time. That stuff has to taste ten times worse than it smells. I wouldn't recommend it and Ballistol doesn't either, but it's pretty interesting.

 

[thekuhnburger]

I like ballistol a lot. I use it on my glock. It works best when you give it a couple minutes to break stuff up. It doesn't smell as good as rem oil but I don't think it's that bad at all. Maybe it's an aquired taste. I always find it at the 1500 and get enough to last me.

 

[backporch plinker]

I love that stuff but its hard to find , I use it on anything metal . I kkep my deerstand cables and bolts sprayed with it so nothing gets weak and I dont get dumped on ground.

 

[snowrs]

I just did a neat experiment with this, I was brought up with Hoppes No 9 and Rem oil as the way to clean guns, My grandfathers room smelt like Hoppes No 9 and it brings back great memories.

I cleaned my guns like always after going to the range today with Hoppes and did my typical over the top job. I then broke out the Balistol that I bought from Midway with my order recently on advice from a few people. I probably got 2 more patches of gunk back off the guns from the barrels and other areas.

I am really impressed with this stuff, it will probably not totally replace Hoppes but will be the stuff I use after that first round of cleaning to really get the gun clean. The fact that it is non toxic and bio friendly is a super plus.

 

[Plinkuh]

I've heard it smells like goblin ****. Does it have a strong odor?

 

[TopDog]

Big +1 for Ballistol. It is great on knives also. Knives that are in storage, knives I collect and don't use I coat with Tuf Glide (not a great lube but a great rust inhibitor). For knives I use that might be used in food prep (skinning, pealing apples etc) or knives I might accidentally cut myself with. I use Ballistol as it is truly non toxic.

I have never used it for cleaning guns, but now I will give it a shot after reading this thread.

 

[snowrs]

I've heard it smells like goblin ****. Does it have a strong odor?

LOL don't know about Goblin ****, hope never too smell it, but it does have a different smell, like licorice mixed with others. Not really horrible but not as nice as Hoppes that is for sure.

 

[JetGirl]

I've heard it smells like goblin ****. Does it have a strong odor?

You been talkin' to 1946??

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

I use it, works awesome. But man oh man it has a horrible odor. Its not a solvent smell like hoppes, but its awful none the less.

 

[Plinkuh]

You been talkin' to 1946??

Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?

 

[JetGirl]

Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?

A handful of us met up at one of the Indy shows and 1946 was interested in why I was buying so much of the stuff (gun shows are the only place I've found it other than online where shipping is added)...
I told him what my kid thinks it smells like (licorice/bananas) and so he took a can, spritz'd it and sniffed the air. I thought we were gonna have to call the EMTs, but apparently it was just his "that smells yucky" face.

 

[Plinkuh]

A handful of us met up at one of the Indy shows and 1946 was interested in why I was buying so much of the stuff (gun shows are the only place I've found it other than online where shipping is added)...
I told him what my kid thinks it smells like (licorice/bananas) and so he took a can, spritz'd it and sniffed the air. I thought we were gonna have to call the EMTs, but apparently it was just his "that smells yucky" face.

Testing out some new cologne was he?

How much does this weird stuff cost at the shows?