Ballistol vs. Break Free CLP

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  • markholst

    Sharpshooter
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    1   0   0
    Jun 21, 2016
    372
    59
    Russiaville
    Either better than the other or are they basically the same? Which do you prefer? Why?

    The Break Free takes me back to my Army days, so nostalgia has me leaning in that direction. On the other hand, if it is good enough for the soldiers, it should be good enough for me, right? Surely our government wouldn't give our boys substandard cleaning products! Would they?
     

    Vigilant

    Grandmaster
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    21   0   0
    Jul 12, 2008
    11,659
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    Plainfield
    Either better than the other or are they basically the same? Which do you prefer? Why?

    The Break Free takes me back to my Army days, so nostalgia has me leaning in that direction. On the other hand, if it is good enough for the soldiers, it should be good enough for me, right? Surely our government wouldn't give our boys substandard cleaning products! Would they?
    You got cleaning products in the Army?
     

    55fairlane

    Master
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    4   0   0
    Jan 15, 2016
    2,216
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    New Haven
    I guess the next question is what are you cleaning?

    I will not use a clp on my Anschutz

    My experience is clp will not clean copper deposits from rifleing nor does it do well on plastic deposits in shot gun barrels

    I like ballistol for a quick clean......seems to work well......

    Aaron
     

    Doublehelix

    Master
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    15   0   0
    Jun 20, 2015
    1,874
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    Westfield
    Ballistol fan here as well. Although I have a bottle of Breakfree CLP and have used it in the past, I can't really say for sure that Ballistol is "that much better because it did XYZ for me in a fully scientific test..." I do prefer it greatly over Breakfree and it seems to get stuff that Breakfree does not get.

    As a test, I cleaned my barrel with Breakfree, got it as clean as I could, then I sprayed it full of Ballistol and let it sit for 10 minutes. The next few patches were pretty dirty. A few days later tried the test in reverse and found the patches to be pretty clean.

    Is this a scientific test? Of course not! But it was enough for me to continue to use Ballistol.
     

    halfmileharry

    Grandmaster
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    65   0   0
    Dec 2, 2010
    11,450
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    South of Indy
    I use the CLP only for rust protection. That I can recommend from long time experience and results.
    I use a lot of different cleaners for different guns, metal, plastic, wood.
    Ballistol is a good product. CLP is a good product.
    It all comes down to that darned "compromise" word again.
    Both have their place on my shelves.
     

    ol' poke

    Sharpshooter
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    7   0   0
    Jan 14, 2010
    633
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    All my blackpowder guns get Ballistol. All my smokeless guns get Hoppe's #9. Works for me.
     

    Flagg

    Plinker
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    10   0   0
    Sep 26, 2010
    77
    8
    N/A
    Love CLP ad have been using it for a decade. Cleans everything and you can just wipe it off / re-assemble the pistol and get on with your day.
     

    Sgt7330

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    16   0   0
    Jan 25, 2011
    674
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    Rush Co.
    I like CLP, haven't used Ballistol. Tend to use a good solvent if the gun has ran more and needs good cleaning. CLP has been good rust prevention
     

    Sticky

    Sharpshooter
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    0   0   0
    Jan 22, 2011
    497
    18
    central IN
    I used to use Hoppe's #9 and light gun or motor oil (or 3-in-1).
    Since 1970 it was Hoppe's #9 and CLP. RIG for storage.
    Since about 1992 to now: Almost exclusively Ballistol for cleaning, lube, and long-term storage. Occasionally, not often, Hoppe's #9 (mostly for copper fouling and nostalgia?) is still used right before the Ballistol. For semi-automatics, the Ballistol is sometimes replaced with Mobile 1 0W-20.
     

    oldpink

    Grandmaster
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    Apr 7, 2009
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    Farmland
    Put me down as a traditionalist not at all enamored with these all-in-one "cleaner-lubricant-protectants."
    Good old Hoppe's #9 for bore cleaning and either one of the all-in-one for some lube and rust protection, or (prefer) Lucas for lube on my blued guns, RIG Stainless for my stainless autoloader carry gun, and Birchwood Casey Barricade for rust protection for all guns.
     

    LP1

    Master
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    3   0   0
    Sep 8, 2010
    1,825
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    Friday Town
    Since nobody outside of the factory knows exactly what is in any of these products, it really boils down to personal preference and anecdotal experience.

    I use Ballistol on guns that have looser tolerances (AK, shotgun) or for longer-term storage, as it seems to leave a thicker film. Use Hoppe's 9 and other products on guns with tighter tolerances.

    If you clean after each session and keep it lubed, it probably doesn't make much difference which product is used. At least that's my anecdotal experience.
     

    markholst

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    1   0   0
    Jun 21, 2016
    372
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    Russiaville
    If you clean after each session and keep it lubed, it probably doesn't make much difference which product is used. At least that's my anecdotal experience.

    Damn. This sounds like words of wisdom. Actually, I do clean after each trip to the range.

    Thanks for that. Makes a ton of sense!
     
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