I've been messing with guns for over 40 years now and here is one thing that goes for everyone: one will collect just about as many as many cleaning products as guns. For decades I used military surplus bore cleaner that I bought cheap at gun shows. It always worked. Then the gun oil and chemical market ramped up its marketing. For years the top two contenders were Hoppes and Outers. In the past ten years there seems to be a new wonder oil/cleaner on the market every month.
Here's what is on my workbench now in no particular order.
Kano-Kroil, best penetrating solvent I have ever used, beats WD-40 by a wide margin and everything else. It's hard to find retail and it's expensive. I used to get it from work as it was an open stock item and the shop guys would leave cans all over the plant. Great for dissolving crud and rust. It's NOT a lubricant. It will evaporate and not leave any film residue.
Outers: The Outers came as part of some gun cleaning kits I bought. It used to be rebranded Tri-Flow. I don't know if it still is. It works. Only concern is does one want the teflon. I don't know if the teflon will build up after the oil evaporates off. I do know that with regular cleaning I never had any build-up problems. Right now I'm using it up just to get rid of it. I need to thin out the herd.
Norvey Inc Turbine oil, a very highly purified light mineral oil, probably around a ~0W to ~5W. This is my go-to oil for light lubricating needs. My local Ace Hardware carries it. If your local hardware store doesn't carry it, Amazon is your friend.
3 in 1 Oil, been around for about 120 years and used on everything. It's around a 10W oil if that means anything to you. It too is a pure mineral oil. Note: This the the black/white label. The blue/white label is 20W and is meant for small electric motors that don't have sealed bearings.
Copper Solvent, for when the Hoppe's #9 just can't do the job. It works as advertised.
Miltec-1, I don't remember where or when I bought it, or if I have ever used it. I guess that makes me ambivalent about it. The Internet says both good and bad things about it. Some one else can chime in about it.
The Hoppe's group. Great products and I like them all. I use the gun grease only on the slides of my pistols. The grease does dry out and can leave a sticky goo behind.
Tri-Flow, Maybe a tiny bit better than WD-40 as a penetrating lubricant? It seems to be on the fence if it wants to be a solvent or a lubricant. It smells better than WD-40 anyway. I don't know if the teflon is a good thing or a bad thing. This too was a donation from work as it was an open stock item and the shop guys left cans all over the plant. That can is probably 20 years old but it still sprays.
Ballistol, the first and original CLP. Highly purified paraffin based mineral oil with added solvents. As the solvents evaporate off it leaves that tacky residue feel. That's the paraffin film that's left. That's why it works and can be used on wood and leather also. It smells odd so be warned about using it on leather. I would use it on old belts and stuff as that. For new leather items I use Red Wing boot oil (not in the group photo).
WD-40, honorable mention, I have some around the house and in the garage. Only use as a penetrating solvent. It has no lubricating properties. It's not on my work bench because Kano Labs' Kroil works so much better.
The collection of gun cleaning products cluttering up my work bench.
Shoot more and worry less. Pew Pew therapy!
